Changes

=== Pada abhyanga (Foot massage with oil) ===

=== Pada abhyanga (Foot massage with oil) ===

Pada in Samskit means feet. When oil is applied to the feet and massage is done, it is called as Padabhyanga or pada-abhyanga. Padabhyanga has been given equal importance as Shirobhyanga in Ayurveda. Pada have been known to be the origin of various vessels and channels known as nadis. Thus abhyanga of pada is believed to provide multiple overall health benefits and not just feet softening. It is very much relaxing procedure and specifically beneficial for good eyesight. Charaka samhita has listed following benefits of padabhyanga.  

Pada in Samskit means feet. When oil is applied to the feet and massage is done, it is called as Padabhyanga or pada-abhyanga. Padabhyanga has been given equal importance as Shirobhyanga in Ayurveda. Pada have been known to be the origin of various vessels and channels known as nadis. Thus abhyanga of pada is believed to provide multiple overall health benefits and not just feet softening. It is very much relaxing procedure and specifically beneficial for good eyesight. Charaka samhita has listed following benefits of padabhyanga. <blockquote>खरत्वं स्तब्धता  रौक्ष्यं श्रमः सुप्तिश्च पादयोः| सद्य एवोपशाम्यन्ति पादाभ्यङ्गनिषेवणात्||९०||

 

खरत्वं स्तब्धता  रौक्ष्यं श्रमः सुप्तिश्च पादयोः| सद्य एवोपशाम्यन्ति पादाभ्यङ्गनिषेवणात्||९०||

जायते सौकुमार्यं च बलं स्थैर्यं च पादयोः| दृष्टिः प्रसादं लभते मारुतश्चोपशाम्यति||९१||

जायते सौकुमार्यं च बलं स्थैर्यं च पादयोः| दृष्टिः प्रसादं लभते मारुतश्चोपशाम्यति||९१||

न च स्याद्गृध्रसीवातः पादयोः स्फुटनं न च| न सिरास्नायुसङ्कोचः पादाभ्यङ्गेन पादयोः||९२|| (Char. Samh. 5.90)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutra 90)</ref>

न च स्याद्गृध्रसीवातः पादयोः स्फुटनं न च| न सिरास्नायुसङ्कोचः पादाभ्यङ्गेन पादयोः||९२|| (Char. Samh. 5.90)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutra 90)</ref></blockquote>

 

 

Benefits of padabhyanga-

Benefits of padabhyanga-

* Also it helps prevent various musculoskeletal disorders related to muscles, ligaments and nerves of legs.  

* Also it helps prevent various musculoskeletal disorders related to muscles, ligaments and nerves of legs.  

== Abhyanga in Rtucharya ==

== Abhyanga in Rutucharya ==

Abhyanga is the integral part of [[Dinacharya (दिनचर्या)|dinacharya]] (one's daily routine). Along with Dinacharya Ayurveda scholars also insist to observe [[Rutucharya (ऋतुचर्या)|Rutucharya]]. Rutucharya is the seasonal regime that includes diet and lifestyle modifications specific to that season so that one can adopt easily to change in external environment without falling sick. Thus each and every part of dinacharya (which needs to be followed regularly) can also be adjusted little bit so as to suit to the season. Food, exercise, sleep etc are the parts of daily regime which are adjusted according to the season in Rutucharya. Same applies to the Abhyanga procedure. Although abhyanga needs to be done on daily basis, it is suggested to be highly essential in some seasons

 

 

 

During these six rutu there tend to be sanchaya(accumulation), prakopa(elevation), prashama(pacify) of doshas.

 

The seasons of shishira, vasant and greeshma comprise uttrayana(sun traversing to north of equator) which is also adanakala(period of withdrawal). Where as varsha, sharad, hemanta comprise dakshinayana(sun travereses to south of equator) which is visarga kala(period of giving).

 

Shishir rutu (Winter) Mid- January to Mid- March

 

Vasant rutu (Spring) Mid- March to Mid-May

 

Grishma rutu (Summer) Mid- May to Mid- July

 

Varsha rutu (Monsoon) Mid- July to Mid- September

 

Sharad rutu (Autumn/ Fall) Mid- September to Mid- November

 

 

 

Abhyanga being the procedure where mainly oil is used for application which is responsible for management of various vata dosha related disorders. Thus, the rutus where there is prakopa of vata dosha is seen abhyanga can be done.

 

 

Winter season which is hemanta rutu and shishira rutu is during the visarga kala where earth gets cooled down leading to dryness and cold in the atmosphere, these two being the vata dosha quality, abhyanga and murdha taila must be done to pacify the dryness etc in the body.

 

== Difference between Abhyanga and modern day body massage ==

== Difference between Abhyanga and modern day body massage ==

Massage is an Arabic word where “mass” means to put pressure.

Massage is an Arabic word where “mass” means to put pressure.