Abhyanga is a potent healing and rebalancing self-massage for your internal five elements. The rhythmic flow of movement activates the lymphatic system to help you detoxify. And the relaxing nature of this massage shifts you into the parasympathetic healing mode of the nervous system, allowing your body and being a chance to balance and heal naturally.
You can practice Abhyanga ‘dry’ over clothing or directly on the skin. Or you may like the addition of warmed oil on skin like almond or sunflower oils (BanyanBotanicals.com has many options for constitution and season). When using oils, take a shower afterward, using minimal soap to allow the oil to soak in. The oil acts as a ‘medicine’ which the steam of the shower helps the skin and nerves absorb. This aids in calming both the mind and nervous system, and also the oil and steam draw impurities and toxins out of the body.
Practice daily if possible: in the morning or before bed at night are good times. Seated comfortably on the floor, use long, repetitive strokes on the bones; and circular strokes on the joints. I send you many blessings on your journey of health and wellness!
One of my favorite teachers and writers is Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh who has created a beautiful affirmation for deep listening that is the root of understanding, joy and can help to eliminate suffering in our interactions with one another to live together peacefully.
‘Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope.
I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.’
“Grounded in my True Self, I behold beauty within and all around me.”
(left hand under right, hands are held in front of the heart like prayer mudra)
This mudra arose within my practice while I was on retreat in a deep meditative space. This is the first mudra that I’m sharing that came from within me! As a child we use to make little scenes inside of ½ a walnut shell with a little cotton ball fluff and small characters. What resulted was so precious and sweet.
My hands feel like they become that protective environment of the shell, and the thumbs — representing the ego, personality, thinking-mind aspect — are held, soothed, and nourished by the larger container of our whole Self. When the ego part of us is calm, only then does our compassionate heart — and higher-mind — have the ability arise within us to bring a sense of appreciation, receptivity and gratitude.
Nourishing and soothing to both heart and lungs, practicing Behold Beauty Mudra can raise your energy and breath upward into your chest to uplift your mood. Practicing this mudra can take you deeper inside your heartspace, increasing energy and vitality here where it’s required to be able to genuinely see AND receive beauty.
HOW TO
The easiest way to come into Behold Beauty Mudra is to first place your LEFT fingers underneath your RIGHT. Then bring your thumbs together like two doors held in the cradle of your hands. Bring hands in front of your chest to hold the mudra. Hold for 5-10 natural breaths repeating the phrase aloud and silently.
This woman is living out my alter-ego! She is both a nun — and up on stage singing pop — with so much soul, heart and vibrance. I love the expressiveness of the very surprised judges she sings for in Italy.
I love these three mudras which allow you to go inward. This practice will enhance the release of inner limitations, allowing the wisdom of who you truly are to arise, and open you to new possibilities!
Hold each mudra for 5-10 natural breaths and repeat the statement aloud and then silently a few times.
Shunya Mudra
“With greater openness, space is created for my true Self to emerge and guide me.”
Shunya means ‘empty’ and this mudra assists you to expand into openness in order to get a larger picture of who you are, raising the eternal question: ‘Who am I?’ Energy arises into the neck and throat – 5th Chakra – to clear blockages and release conditioned beliefs of the small self. Thyroid gland can comes into balance with enhanced circulation to the throat area. Space is created between the thoughts, helping you to loosen identification with them as who you are. Intuition is awakened so you may hear the guidance of your inner voice.
Kali Mudra
“Purification within all dimensions of my being awakens true freedom.”
(Point your fingers towards your throat). Kali is the ‘Goddess of Purification’. Vishuddha chakra in the throat center translates as ‘purification’. As you clear out what is ‘not you’ through spiritual practice, limiting beliefs are also released that keep you from feeling free. Kali Mudra assists in bringing limiting beliefs to the surface to support awareness of them, being able to release beliefs, and also to integrate a new way of seeing yourself and the world. Tension may be released from the throat, vocal cords, neck, and shoulders to open a sense of limitlessness and inner quiet. Space Element can become balanced and intuition enhanced.
Ushas Mudra
“My life is a field of infinite possibility.”
(Rest your hands in your lap comfortably). Ushas means ‘Dawn’. Ushas Mudra allows us to greet each day enthusiastically and more openly with fewer expectations and more trust in the natural flow of the world and our life. This can reduce stress and help one to cultivate positive attitudes. Practicing Ushas Mudra allows the breath to be naturally directed into the front of the torso, aiding a natural massaging motion that restores all systems of the body. As the mind is clears, calm mental clarity increases allowing you to rest easily within your true Self, opening to life as a field of possibility.
These mudras and information provided are modified from Mudras for Healing and Transformation by Joseph and Lilian LePage, Integrative Yoga Therapy.
