Keep your skin soft, calm your mind, and warm up your body in the fall with an early morning oil massage. The practice of oil massage is called abhyanga in Ayurveda. The sensation of abhyanga is so deeply nourishing to your nervous system, mind, skin, muscles, and joints that it is like being wrapped up in loving arms. It emulates the warmth and support of the tropical rainforests of lush Hawaii with its sweet, sensual, soothing effects.

Try to work abhyanga into your schedule once a week and see how that small but powerful change makes a difference in how you feel. For a stronger effect, commit to doing abhyanga every day for just one week. The physical and mental changes you feel can be quite dramatic.

-Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda