THE WISDOM
Ayurvedic hot oil applications, called "Abhyanga", are like a gentle but deeply restorative massage. It is the central component of the Ayurvedic Postpartum Home Spa care. This is one of the three most important ways to prevent postpartum problems! AyurDoulas are trained to give this deeply rejuvenating Ayurvedic treatment in a specialized form for postpartum needs. It is a favorite of many non-postpartum mothers also, but so right on a mother's needs that we have had marriage proposals around this, along with the cooking and TLC we provide!

The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age. Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, V: 88-89. See more benefits well detailed at Dr. Claudia Welsh's website.

Between a mother's need to NOT undertake an exercise program, and instead needing extra rest and minimal household responsibilities, and yet with need for support to move so many things around on all levels of our maternal body systems, this very specialized massage is highly valued for support after childbirth. This helps with everything from hormones to tissue rejuvenation to facilitating function of all body channels. It helps with ample as well as more comfortable lactation, with emotional balance,immune strength, and much more. We can list the benefits of massage and fill a page.

Many people know about the value of infant massage. Alongside breastfeeding these are best life insurance possible for our babies. But what about longevity as well as modeling healthy self care issues through MAMA? The recommendation is daily massage for 42 days, for postpartum mothers! Listen further, please.

Our rare condition of openness the first 42 days (more after surgery or other extra trauma to the body or emotions) makes for deep wisdom to take advantage of this window for profound biological reset. It is in the direction of our ability to serve, love, and be healthy for long time to come - the next 42 years according to Ayurveda!

Most of us cannot afford - or have access to a postpartum AyurDoula to do this for us. So, every day, at least 15 - 20 minutes daily WARM OIL self massage before our bath is a very wise practice. Instructions for the self abhyanga are below. In Nepal and some of India, Mothers as well as babies receive this TWICE a day! (Even babies in orphanages receive twice daily massage there). When we look at their elder health compared to ours, it is also quite convincing.

For a beautiful in depth Ayurvedic discussion on benefits of self massage, choosing oils by body type or imbalance, quotes from the original Ayurvedic texts and a website on Women's Health from an Ayurvedic Practitioner/Chinese Medical Doctor, visit Dr. Claudia Welsh's website.

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THE PREPARATIONS FOR SELF CARE
Safety Tips
Take care with professional massage options
Very few massage schools even teach postpartum massage, as the needs are not well understood, and the risks are easily manifest. If you receive too firm or deep a massage, the first sign is increase in your bleeding (lochia). We want to support natural changes, not add to them. Ayurveda uses a specialized and very oily and warm, deeply soothing and integrating practice. If you get the chance for this kind of AyurDoula care, there will be no question of its value!

Warming your oil
Oils are flammable. You will want to observe the following procedures with your massage oils.

• You may want to cure a larger quantity all at once. Curing makes a heavier oil lighter (such as sesame) so that it penetrates the 7 layers of the skin and nourishes all the tissues, and also does not make tub or towels so tacky.
• Always heat oil on low heat, never on high. Sprinkle a few drops of water on the top.
• Oil should never be heated unattended - do not leave the kitchen!
• Once the oil reaches the boiling temperature of water, the water will sizzle and evaporate. This is the curing temperature. Do not keep heating the oil, turn off the stove and remove from the heat. Set in a safe place to gradually cool.
• Fill a shampoo size flip top bottle, and warm this in a large cup of hot water before each use. I keep a quart size yoghurt container in my bathroom for this use. It takes about 4 minutes in hot water to get it warm.
• Store the rest in refrigerator or dark lower cabinet.
• Avoid spills while heating. A fire extinguisher approved for oil fires should be readily available in case of accidents.

Linens and Clothing
Clothing, linens, towels, etc. which may have absorbed oil should be laundered with special attention.

Use hot water and extra detergent in the wash cycle. A hot pre-wash or brief agitation and 15 minute soak before continuing helps a lot, as does warm rinse.

Dry on medium heat. If laundry is inadvertently overheated, use care to cool to room temperature. Automatic drying can overheat oil residue in the cloth and create a fire hazard. The cloth can combust immediately or even some time after being removed from the dryer.

If we are coming to your home we will provide clean linens and towels for you each day.

Drain Care
It is wise to do a weekly drain cleansing or pour a little dilute soap such as Basic H to clean the tub/drain after oil cleansings.

Some prefer to keep cheap, unbleached paper towels in the bath room for a wipe-down before bathing. (Remember oily trash too as a fire hazard). Warm (bath) room, without drafts -- The best place to do your massage is in the bathroom. Oil massage can be messy. Be sure the room is warm to your bare skin, or your interest in this wonderfully beneficial activity will dissapate quickly!

Daily Abhyanga Preparations
Floor Protection -- To minimize the mess, use an old towel on the floor. Or put a small stool in your tub and do your massage there.

Warming the oil -- All you need is 3 - 4 tablespoons or a scant 1/4 cup for each massage. If you set a small squeeze bottle or cup (of previosly cured oil) in a bowl of very hot water for 3 – 4 minutes to warm it will be ready for your massage.

Fill Bath -- If you run it before your massage, you will be able to slip right in without getting chilled waiting. Make it extra hot so it is just right in 15 minutes or so. Use a gentle soap; it is best to leave a thin film of the oil on your skin.

Clip Nails -- A reminder that bath time is the natural time to clip your nails, but do it before you get oily!

Washing Hair – It is beneficial to leave oil on even a few days. To wash usually requires shampooing twice, with something other than a shampoo/crème combination in one.
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THE SIMPLE HOW TOS
Sequence Guideline

1. Start with the head: Pour a tablespoon of warm oil on your scalp. Using the flat of your hand, not the fingertips, massage the oil in vigorously all over. Cover your entire scalp with small circular strokes, as if you were shampooing, and adding a little oil as desired. It is not necessary to soak your hair with oil.
2. Move to your face and ears, massaging more gently: Gentle massage of the temples and backs of the ears is especially good for settling vata dosha. Circle temples, cheeks. Stroke across upper lip and chin. Stroke across forehead.
3. Apply a small amount of warm oil to your entire body and then proceed with the massage to each area. This will allow the oil to have maximum amount of time in contact with your body.
4. Neck: Massage back and forth and up and down the front and back of your neck, including the upper part of the spine (be gentle over the windpipe).
5. Arms - Hands: Massage somewhat vigorously, using a circular motion at the shoulders and elbows and long, back and forth (or up/down) motions on the long muscles. Massage back and forth on the palm and back of your hand and gently pull each finger.
6. Chest - Abdomen: Make circles on the chest with both hands over pectoral muscles and gently sweep larger circles around the sides of breasts. Use a very gentle circular motion over your breastbone. Also use circles on your abdomen, following the bowel direction clockwise.
7. Back - Sides: Reach around without straining to massage your back and spine with up and down strokes or whatever you can do. Pull forward on sides. If your spouse or mother is there have them do several long sweeps on your back and circles over the shoulder blade area.
8. Midwives and many doctors suggest perineal massage during pregnancy, this would be the time to do it. It is especially helpful the last few weeks of pregnancy. Gentle stretching and oiling minimizes tears or need for episiotomy during birth.
9. Legs: Start with full circles on your hip, then long strokes on the thigh. Circles on knee with both hands, alternating, and long strokes on calf.
10. Feet: Alternate (both hands) circles on ankle bone, one hand (fingers) up and down on Achilles tendon down to heel. Do some thumb work on soles if you have time. Work toes pulling gently. Massage back and forth with palms on top and soles of feet, in an alternating pattern.
11. Do a couple full sweeps over the face when you are done there, the arms when you finish there, legs and feet when you are done there.
12. Wipe excess oil if you wish, and bathe. Best when allowed is a long hot tub soak, about 20 minutes, to facilitate body's transformations another layer.
13. If Baby is with you in the bathroom, he or she can enjoy your conversation, singing to her, listening to bathwater running, like that after a recent feeding (at least 1/2 hour till her massage, and not too close to being hungry). By the time Baby needs more attention, you will probably have at least enjoyed some oiling and a little rubbing. If needed, you can be easily prepared to do Baby's massage now too, and bathe together.
14. After your bath or shower is an excellent time to wrap your belly. About 5 yard piece of light weight cotton - lightest muslin or gauze weight is good, about 10-12 inches wide. Just hold one end to belly and begin wrapping, to embrace hips and belly in some diagonal and straight across wraps, as feels good. Excellent for digestion, preventing prolapses, restoring good posture and organ placement, to name a few benefits. Keep several so there is at least one to wash, one to wear, one to loose, maybe one to pass on to another mother in your circle too. Keep a bathrobe handy in case you don't have time to fully dress *-).
15. If you wish you can take a few minutes now to do a few gentle stretches, but nothing strenuous, nor inversions yet nor postures that pull apart at the midline. Remember to favor pelvic rocking, pelvic floor contractions, rolling shoulders, gentle arm/wrist and ankle/feet stretches on areas most taxed caring for Baby.
16. When you have the opportunity to do self massage and then nap after your bath, you are really doing yourself great home spa care. Put about 2 cups of really hot water in a couple hot water bottles and place one over your tummy, the other under lower back (or on breasts, chest, wherever you feel the desire). Inexpensive and wonderful treatment, even my summer Florida clients appreciated, because of the special conditions in early postpartum physiology!

ENJOY!

From Touching Heaven, Tonic Postpartum Care with Ayurveda. Consultations, correspondence training modules, and the companion e-books, Touching Heaven, Tonic Postpartum Care/Cooking with Ayurveda are available by E-download at sacredwindow.com.

* We love to hear your feedback, please feel free to join us and share or ask questions on the Perinatal Ayurveda forum.

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