What is abhyanga?
Abhyanga is Sanskrit for oiling the body. In Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, it belongs to the daily routine: the classical texts list it alongside brushing teeth and bathing, something people do to themselves each morning. As a massage, someone else does it for you, with more oil and more time.
The traditional oil is sesame, sometimes infused with herbs. Strokes run long along the arms and legs and circle around the joints, at an even pace, usually light to medium. It is less about pressing out knots and more about warmth and rhythm.
What a session is like
You lie on a table in the private session room, covered with a sheet except where Cecile is working. The oil is warmed before it touches you. Expect to leave a little oily: bring a hair tie and clothes you do not mind, and leave the shower for later if you can, so the oil has time to soak in.
Mindo evenings are cool and damp. An hour of warm oil before dinner is a good way to meet them. Ask Cecile which oil she uses and how long the session runs.
Who it suits
People who want to slow down rather than be worked on hard. If you want deep pressure on a sore back, Balinese massage or shiatsu will suit you better.
Before you book
Booking abhyanga in Mindo
Message Cecile on WhatsApp from this page. Her prices are on her profile, and you pay her directly.
