Learn how to do Ayurvedic Foot Massage for instant benefits.
A regular Ayurvedic Foot Massage ( Padabhyanga ) is a wonderful practice of relaxation and rejuvenation to maintain good health. Foot massage has been exercised for thousands of years to promote a good night sleep, to take away the stress of the day and to calm the most disturbing emotional turbulence. The best aspect of Ayurvedic foot massage is that it can be practiced throughout the year and for all age groups. The proper time to practice the foot massage is either early in the morning or before bedtime and it can be done for all body types. This super beneficial therapy can be performed at home very effortlessly.
Health Benefits of Ayurvedic Foot Massage
- Many marma points for the body’s vital organs and sense organs are located in the soles of the feet. The foot massage stimulates all the organs of the body.
- Reduces nervousness, dryness or numbness of the feet.
- Invigorate and renew the entire body
- Massaging the leg energizes the belly, pelvis, and colon, improve circulation and infertility.
- It helps to increase Ojus (vital essence of bodily tissue)
- Regular foot massage can bring a state of relaxation, generating a sense of total wellness in the entire system.
- rejuvenate the sense organs, improves vision, removes nervous tension.
How to do self Ayurvedic Foot Massage?
- Wash yourhands, face and feet and put on a fresh robe. Pour 1/4 cup of the appropriate oil into a small bowl and place it next to you. You can use sesame oil or coconut oil for the foot massage.
- Sit in a comfortable posture, either on a clean mat on the floor or in an upright chair.
- Close your eyes and sit in contemplative silence for a few minutes before beginning your massage.
- After contemplation, gently lift the right leg, rest the right ankle on the knee of the left leg, and pour a small amount of oil on the right foot.
- Using both hands, clasp the foot, the thumb is resting on the bottom of the foot and the fingers resting on the top.
- Crimp the fingers and press firmly into the centre top line of the foot, beginning at the ankle and moving along the foot to the middle toe. At the same time, press the thumbs into the bottom of the foot, beginning at the heel and moving along the inner and outer edges of the bottom of the foot. Synchronize both hands so that they move at the same pace, the top and bottom of the foot being massaged simultaneously.
- Continue this procedure for five minutes, always starting from the heel and working the fingers and thumbs towards the toes repeating the process until the entire outer surface of the foot has been thoroughly massaged.
- Release of the foot and move to the toes. Beginning with the big toe press on both sides of the nail, using the thumb and index finger of your left hand. Gently pull the toe and then firmly massage the underside, starting from the root. Rubbing this point stimulates the brain and helps the site.
- After a time, proceed to the index toe and repeat the same procedure. This toe releases energy to the lungs.
- Continue in this way toe by toe. The Meridian for the large intestine flows through the middle toe; massaging it helps to tone the colon. The fourth toe is the location of the kidney meridian; massaging it helps to increase the flow of vital energy to the kidneys. The little toe houses the heart meridian; massaging this toe stimulates the heart and enables it its beat to remain slow and rhythmic.
- The entire message may be repeated once more. Before changing feet, press your thumb firmly into the four marma points indicated at the bottom of the foot as shown in the image.
- Reverse the position of the legs and repeat the entire procedure on the left foot.
After Ayurvedic Foot Massag both feet, gently rub off any remaining oil with a dry towel. Wash your hands and observe a brief meditation. Prepare to greet the day with joy or succumb to a peaceful nights rest.
During the day, the feet carry tones of the body’s active weight. A foot massage at the beginning of the end of the day is a great way to express fondness for this organ of action.
A meritorious alumna of the prestigious RA Poddar Ayurvedic College with profound spiritual understanding. She is trained in Nadi vidya by a strict guru-shishya lineage and has clinical experience with more than 15 years. An excellent orator who has been invited to various national and international platforms that empower audiences with the knowledge of Āyurveda. Dr. Rushalli Nair is the first-ever lady Vaidya who has been invited to Swaminarayan temple to offer her services to Sadhvis and devotees.