The Sanskrit word for oil is sneha, which also translates as “love” or “affection.” So when we massage the body with warm oil, we are coating it in a layer of our affection through the healing power of touch and oil. This can aid in soothing everything from sore muscles to anxiety, improving sleep, and cultivating more self-love and body acceptance. Regular practice of abhyanga, even once or twice per week, will bring a remarkable sense of peace and calm into your life. But don’t just take my word for it - try it yourself using the guide below, and see how you feel!

You may have heard of ghee being used in Indian cooking, or seen it on a shelf at the health food store. Ghee is "clarified butter," ideally made with cultured butter from grass-fed cows, which has been boiled down and had the water and milk solids removed, leaving only pure butter oil. This shelf-stable "liquid gold" has been revered in Ayurvedic cooking and medicine for centuries.