#Apply warmed oil that is appropriate to your dosha dominance and skin condition all over your body. Use simple cold-pressed oil or oil that has been enhanced with herbs and/or essential oils as described in the recipe section, (see Blends).
#Give yourself a full body massage. The section on self-massage provides step-by-step instructions. This procedure is particularly invigorating However; the main idea is to simply work the oil into the skin.
#Increase the heat in your body by exercising. Oiling up and then exercising is very useful for Vata.aominant constitutions and in times of high stress. Alternatively, simply warm the skin by relaxing for twenty minutes in the sun. Use this time for skilled relaxation or quiet reflection. At. least avoid unharmonious situations for these few minutes.
#Cleanse yourself with an ubtan. (An ubtan is a mixture of flour herbs, and sometimes oil that cleanses, tones, nutrifies, and moisturizes the skin.) Apply the ubtan just as you would a facial scrub, but going all over the body. The paste tends to flick about, so the cleanest way to apply it is by sitting in the bathtub. For extra comfort, run a couple of inches of warm water first. The water takes the chill off the tub and can be splashed on the body if the ubtan paste gets a bit dry.
#Take a warm herbal or aromatherapy bath to rinse the ubtan off, followed by a quick cool shower The warm bath opens up the tissues and the quick cool shower sends blood shooting to the skin's surface. Pat dry and take a few quiet moments for yourself.
You'll feel completely relaxed and pleasantly charged with energy. It's a great way to start the day, taking only about thirty-five minuteswith exercise and relaxation exercise included. It's also a wonderful way to completely let go of the stresses of the day so you can enjoy a productive or fun evening-and get a great night's sleep.
Spa-style Ayurvedic Body Care
#Body Massage- The recipient should receive a full body massage using copious amounts of fragrant, warm oil. Ayurvedic massage uses one or sometimes two massage therapists to rhythmically stimulate the subtle energy flows of the body and relax the skin and underlying muscle tissue. The emphasis here is to make the massage a safe, nurturing experience. Many clients have likened it to returning to the womb.
#Herbal Body Steam - While the oil is still on the body, the recipient takes an herbal steam in a steam box. The moisture of steam stimulates circulation towards the skin's surface and opens up the glands and pores so they can drink up the nourishing oil. The oil moisturizes, making the skin full and supple, while being a carrier for the medicinal properties of the herbs and essential oils. Rest time is given after the steam to cool off a litde and relax. (A hot bath does very much the same, especially if it is followed by an herbal wrap that allows the body to get warmed through.)
#Ubvartan - This is vigorously rubbing dry herbs or herbal pastes (ubtans) into the skin. As well as cleansing and nourishing the skin, this process tones the muscles and reduces fat by improving the metabolism of the muscles and adipose tissue. It is very invigorating and leaves the skin tingling soothed and soft.
#Rinse- A cool rinse is needed to remove the powder or paste completely. Genrly pat the body dry and discover how smooth, fresh, and supple the skin feels even without lotion. If in a particularly dry climate, apply a litte body oil or lotion if necessary.
For a total Ayurvedic beauty experience, take one of the special treatments before the final rinse off:
Shirodhara-allow the furthermost comers of your mind and body to release and relax as a fine stream of warm sesame oil is poured onto the third eye.
With netra basti, the eyes are bathed with warm clarified butter to release the inner tensions of the eye sockets, soothe dry wrinkles, and bring a glamorous sparkle to the eyes. Offer a short facial massage and give nasya (application of nasal drops) to relax and clear the mind and clear away the darkness from beneath the eyes.
Do kama purana, pouring warm oil in the ears and allow it to remain for twenty minutes to relieve jaw and neck tensions.
Recipes and Ingredients for Full Body Skin Care
In describing fonnulas and herbs for Ayurvedic facials, the emphasis is on how they will impact a given condition of the facial skin. This does take into account constitution, but here, it is constitution that is particularly being addressed. This will mean that all of the herbs and oil combinations suitable for the facial procedures are included, but that the fonnulas that follovv, because they address the whole body will have a greatelj overall impact.
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