Our morning and evening routines act as anchors in our busy lives. While a self-care routine can serve as a foundation for our health, an Ayurvedic routine can have many moving parts. Generally speaking, these components can be beneficial to all individuals with some simple modifications. Still, there are times when we should reel back or omit participation to prevent greater turmoil. Knowing “when to hold 'em” and “when to fold 'em,” so to speak, gives even greater empowerment to being guardian of one's own health.
Among the many beneficial elements of our self-care regimen, abhyangastands out as having some of the most profound effects.
But sometimes, even love isn't appropriate.
It hardly seems possible that there would be a time when abhyanga would not come to our aid, but it is indeed true. The same effects of abhyanga that make us feel wonderful can also act against us if the circumstances allow. Certainly, we should not practice abhyanga if we repeatedly feel poorly afterward, yet this cannot be the only pointer to contraindication. Review the following list of times not to do abhyanga and why.
5 Times to Skip Abhyanga
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After eating or in cases of severe indigestion or constipation. As you massage oil into your skin, moving from extremities toward your heart, you are helping to correct and re-direct all five
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When fever or signs of fever, such as chills, is present. In
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When ama or conditions with excess kapha are present.
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During your menstrual cycle. Abhyanga can stimulate a detoxification process in your body. Menstruation is a natural form of cleansing and it is recommended that women take extra rest during this time as adding further cleansing acts can create a weakened state of the body.
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While pregnant. Because abhyanga can stimulate detoxification, the fetus could become exposed to ama. That said, there is certainly a place for therapeutic touch and light massage during pregnancy—just not the practice of traditional abhyanga, which is quite vigorous and stimulating.
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After an emetic or basti.Emetics and
There may be further conditions for which abhyanga is not favorable. If you have a health condition for which you have not consulted with a health care practitioner or are unsure about how self-massage bodes with symptoms you experience, it is ideal to refrain until you are confident that abhyanga will not make your imbalances more deeply seated.