How do you keep yourself balanced? Do you even know why your moods go up and down, or do you just blame it on the wrong side of the bed? Maybe there’s more to it? 

What if I told  you that giving yourself a self-massage every day, with specific oils based on your body type, will help keep you balanced, feeling vibrant, and at ease? Um, yes please!

The sister science to yoga is Ayurveda. It translates to the science of life. Ayurveda teaches us how to balance our lives using holistic techniques that keep us in tune with the cycle of the universe. For example, there are three doshas or constitutions: Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. When we start to understand these three doshas, we can learn to balance our lives through these ayurvedic practices. These doshas govern everything from the seasons, to the time of day, to what and how you’re eating, and how your live your life.

See a small summary below.

Living an Ayurvedic lifestyle will make you feel lighter, more energetic, happier, and healthier – and I speak from continued practice and personal experience.  Even if you don’t dig deep into Ayurveda, just by understanding what these three doshas mean will help you determine your primary body type, and start to make simple changes to live a more healthy and balanced life. 

One technique that Ayurveda discusses in keeping yourself balanced is a self oil massage called Abhyanga. This keeps the skin smooth and the body flexible, not to mention sweet smelling! Knowing your constitution is really important when creating an oil rub, and that’s because you want it to work with your body internally and externally, as well as your moods.

1. If you’re not sure of your constitution, then this is where you want to start. Banyan Botanicals has a quiz on their site, which will help you determine your next step. Check it out here.

2. Choose your oil blend. You can totally keep it simple, and use oils you may find around the house like coconut or sesame oil, but I recommend using oil blends specific to your constitution. For example, if you’re pitta like me, your oil will be mixed with cooling essential oils to help relieve heat from the body and muscles. 

Vata: See here

Pitta: See here

Kapha: See here

Tridoshic: See here

3. How to perform your oil massage:

A. Always start at the crown of the head, and massage the scalp

B. Continue to add small amounts of oil as you massage.

C. Work in circular strokes from the extremities toward the body.

E. Slowly move down the body, giving attention to each area.  

D. Don’t forget the soles of your feet!

Treat the massage like a meditation. Keep the awareness on the part of the body you are massaging to release any tension or pain. If you start to think and become distracted, bring it back.  

Your Homework:

A. Determine your body type from the chart above, or take a more thorough test here.

B. Search through the Banyan store and find your blend. (see above)

C. Perform the massage, and tell me how you’re feeling in the comments below!