"Disease does not go near one who massages his feet before sleeping, just as snakes do not approach eagles." - a wonderful ancient Indian saying
Foot massage is called "Padabhyanga",and it has a very special place within the Ayurvedic tradition. It is commonly practiced as a daily ritual, especially before retiring at night. Padabhyanga includes massage of the feet. Feet are very important part in our body, as many nerves from many organs terminate in the feet. So massage helps to strengthen these nerves and restores health to many parts of the body. The marma (vital) points are massaged which gives balance to your doshas and is very helpful for people with insomnia, fatigue and cramps.
Benefits of Padabhyanga (Ayurvedic foot massage) include:
* Helps to calm the agitated mind
* Reduce stress,Anxiety
* Activates our immune system
* Helps maintain good eyesight and hearing
* Promotes quality sleep
* Improves peripheral circulation
* Aids foot health (alleviates pain, improves muscle tone and
* nourishes,prevents and cures dryness & roughness of skin)
* Heal cracks of the heels.
* Helps to calm and maintain the "Vata Dosha" which, when present in excess, is regarded as the major cause of illness.
Choice of the massage oil:
The benefits of the massage may be enhanced by the choice of the massage oil. Although the base oils that are commonly used have their own therapeutic properties, they can also act as suitable vehicles for the addition of herbs and essential oils to help obtain the required healing effect. Sesame oil is the most commonly used oil for massage. Rubbing ghee or olive or sesame oil can calm the vata dosha. For those with a predominantly pitta constitution,rubbing ghee or coconut oil or sunflower oil on the soles of the feet at bedtime is especially recommended. Coughs, congestion and colds indicate a kapha imbalance. This is when rubbing ghee or sesame oil or jojoba oil is highly beneficial.
