Ayurveda knowledge

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This article appeared in Yogazeit, August 2017

 

Anyone who has ever enjoyed a full-body massage with warm oil knows how wonderfully relaxing and calming this mindful touch is for body, mind and soul.

An Ayurvedic baby or children's massage is a wonderful way to give your child love, care and full attention. This strengthens the emotional bond between parents and child and creates a deep closeness, because touch is pure love! Ayurvedic baby massage also has a physiological effect. The lymphatic system is stimulated, the immune system is strengthened and the nerves are calmed. The child is grounded, enjoys physical contact, develops a pronounced body awareness and physical safety and improves motor and language development by stimulating the cerebral hemispheres. In addition, the skin is protected and does not lose moisture during bathing, meaning that it is no longer necessary to apply cream. Good massage oil nourishes all types of tissue (epidermis, subcutis, muscle, nerves and periosteum) and is absorbed down to the bone within three minutes.

 

Children of all ages can be massaged. Older children also enjoy the massages and the loving attention, so it makes sense to continue the massage ritual beyond babyhood as long as the child and you enjoy it. Massages can be given from the first day, but the father should then bathe the child or the child should be bathed in a baby bath. After about six weeks, the mother can then make a nice bathing ritual for herself and the child and can also benefit from the "oil bath": she can rub herself with the oil, as her body has an increased need for moisture. Caution: This ritual is often a slippery affair for the inexperienced! It can help to put a cloth diaper around the child so that it doesn't slip out of your hands so easily in the bath.

 

Older children who are already used to massages usually develop their own preferences and express them. You can incorporate playful elements here, such as drawing letters on the back, the sun, moon and stars, or let them spread the oil themselves.

 

It is best to always massage at the same time and in the same place. Then the baby will quickly know what is going to happen and look forward to it. You can massage your child every day, even when you are on the move it is a great way to reduce the increased Vata caused by traveling and to help your child "arrive" more quickly.

 

It doesn't matter whether you massage in the evening or in the morning. You should pay attention to how the massage ritual can best be integrated into your daily program. In the evening, it is certainly a good preparation for sleep, as the massage grounds the children and they often sleep more peacefully. In addition, you don't go out afterwards, which is very important, as the massage opens up all the srotas (energy and nerve lymph systems, blood circulation), which could quickly cause the baby to catch a cold in winter

 

Ideally, you should start the massage about an hour after eating, because then the child is already digesting, spits up less or not at all and is not restless because it is hungry.

 

Before you start the massage, make sure that everything you need is to hand and that you have enough time and peace and quiet.

 

Whether the child is massaged lying on your legs or on a changing mat, you should first try it out and feel how you and your child feel. Some people don't like to stretch their neck and find lying on their legs uncomfortable. However, the ritual should be pleasant for you and your child!

 

For example, a song that serves to calm you down and that you may have been singing to your baby before or since birth is a good wayto get in the mood for the massage . You can also say a prayer or tell your child what you are going to do with them now. Of course, you can also sing a mantra. No matter how you want to tune in, it is important that you do it, because it also helps the mother or father to calm down from the stresses of everyday life and take some time out. Baby massage is always good for both parties.

 

 

The Ayurvedic baby massage process

Basically, the procedure is less important than the loving care and the application of a high-quality oil to the child's entire body. The process should be fluid and each individual massage should be performed either three, five or seven times according to Ayurvedic principles.

Preparation

Warm your hands well by rubbing or warmly washing them, or place your palms together and slowly move them further and further apart, now you can already feel the energy flowing.

 

1.Step - Pour the oil into the palm of your right hand and hold the back of the child's head steady with your left hand. Place the hand softly and evenly on the head at the level of the fontanel, now spread the oil in circular movements (always clockwise) until the whole head is full of oil. Now oil the entire front of the body. Always keep the palms of your hands completely on the skin and gently spread the oil.

 

2.Step - The child lies relaxed, the mother holds the child's right hand and strokes with a flat hand in the direction of the hand below the collarbone. From the height of the upper arm, bring the thumb and index finger together and stroke out three times in the shape of an O-ring - then the other side.

 

3.Step - Now gently massage your hands. Massage the palm of the hand in a clockwise circular motion, then gently "pull out" the fingers (always massage all extremities away from the heart). Massaging in the direction of hair growth has a calming effect. Massaging in the direction of the heart has a stimulating effect.

 

4.Step - Place your hands (or hand, depending on the size) on the child's stomach and feel, then massage very slowly clockwise starting at the navel, close your eyes and feel whether there is air in the intestines.

 

5.Step - Nowmassage the legs. As with the arms, start at the groin with the O-ring and stroke outwards towards the feet, turning outwards if you like.

 

6.Step - Stroke the feet, soles of the feet, then pull the toes in slightly and "clean" the spaces between the toes - provided the child is not ticklish.

 

7.Step - Turn the child onto its stomach and place it crosswise on its legs (sometimes air comes out of the stomach or the child spits a little). Spread the oil over the entire back of the body and spread it over a large area with the palms of your hands. Then use your index finger and middle finger to gently stroke upwards to the left and right of the spine.

 

8.Step 3 - Stroke the buttocks and the back of the legs. Step 9 Turn the child over and gently massage their face. Draw light circles around the eyes; circle the cheekbones and gently scrunch the ears

 

Oils for Ayurvedic baby massage

The oils used should be of the best quality and preferably from controlled organic cultivation. The following oils are very suitable for baby massage:

 

• Calendula (marigold oil)
• Sesame oil (slightly warming, suitable for winter)
• Coconut oil (slightly cooling for the summer, as well as almond oil, sunflower oil)
• Olive oil (also has cooling properties and is suitable for the warmer seasons)

 

Simple quality test: rub the warmed oil on the back of your hand and observe whether and how quickly it is absorbed.

 

Basics:

 

Always warm the oil to around 38°- 40° C and never pour it directly onto the baby! Always pour it into your own hands first so that you can check the temperature.

 

Preparation

Before you start the massage, make sure that you have everything you need to hand and that you have enough time and peace and quiet.

• Your fingernails should be cut short.
• Heat the oil in a water bath (also leave it in the bath during the massage), in the meantime you can prepare the bathroom. Warm the carpet pad and towels on the radiator and warm the fresh clothes on the radiator.
• Towels and cloth diaper (for the bathtub or in case the child spits up)
• Wet wipes, fresh diaper
• Thermometer for the bath water
• Baby shampoo for the hair

Additional scented candles or background music can be dispensed with, as this way the child is not distracted and the concentration and energy between mother or father and child is focused.

 

When should you not give a massage?

 

• A massage should never be given if the child has a fever, as the body is already busy with the immune system and processing the oil would take too much energy.
• Massage should also be avoided if you have diarrhea or vomiting, as this situation is uncontrollable.
• If the child has an earache, it is also essential to refrain from massaging, as the pain is very severe and oil and water could penetrate the ears.
• If you are unsure, please always consult your pediatrician