Abhyanga
Abhyanga is the Ayurvedic self-massage with warm oil, the signature ritual against Vata dryness and restlessness. Technique, oils and frequency.
Abhyanga comes from abhi (toward, onto) and anga (the limbs, the body): literally, “anointing the body.” It is the warm-oil massage, a pillar of Ayurvedic care — performed by a practitioner in a treatment room, but above all, in the tradition, as a daily self-massage woven into the morning routine (dinacharya). The classical texts credit it with effects on dryness, sleep quality, suppleness, the skin and aging; it is first and foremost the great soothing practice for Vata, the dosha of cold, dryness and restlessness.
In practice: oil warmed gently (in a bain-marie or under hot water), applied over the whole body with long strokes along the bones and circular strokes on the joints, from scalp to feet, for five to twenty minutes, followed by a short rest and then a warm shower. The massage oil is chosen according to your constitution: sesame by default (warming, penetrating), coconut for Pitta types who run hot, more stimulating oils for Kapha — who will sometimes prefer dry massage instead.
A concrete example: during a stretch of overwork with light sleep and dry skin, three abhyangas a week before the morning shower are often enough to produce a clear difference within two weeks. For the full technique, strokes and frequency, read abhyanga: the warm-oil self-massage, step by step, and to choose your base oil well, our guide to sesame oil.