Benefits of massage therapy

Massage is a therapy involved with movement of enegry in the body. For the maintenance of health and to create balance among the three humors, vata, pitta and kapha. Ayurveda recommends massage with various oils. The massage process and type of oil depend upon the person's individual constitution.
For an aggravated vata condition, ayurveda suggests massage with sesame oil to calm and balance the body. Stroking against the body hairs facilitates penetration of the oil into the hair follicles. This technique is indicated because vata people have dry skin and closed follicles. Massage for a person of pitta constitution should be done with sunflower or sandalwood oil because these have cooling properties. For kapha constitution, corn oil or calamus root oil or the massage can be given without oil.
Certain techniques apply to specific disorders. For example, for stagnation of blood and poor circulation, massage towards the heart. For muscle spasms, tightness and soreness, massage in the direction of muscle fibers. massage should be done in the morning during kapha time for kapha disorder, in the evening for vata disorders and in the afternoon for pitta. For kapha people, deep massage is beneficial. gentle massage is good for vata and pitta individuals.