Wellness in Pregnancy - Pregnancy Massage

In Ayurvedic health, massage is essential to balance our doshas (our body/mind constitution). Oil massage starts by giving baby massage to newborns and continues throughout life as part of our daily routine. In Ayurveda we use different oils depending on what effect we would like. Every part of the body is being massaged with care and appreciation. To apply oil is also called Snehana which can be translated as Love.

Pregnancy massage is a great way to keep you body balanced and your skin moisturised and elastic. Receiving a massage can help relax you physically, mentally and emotionally. It may relieve back, neck and shoulder aches and help oedema. Apply oil throughout pregnancy but massage only after the first trimester.

Blissful Body

You and your partner may want to think of paying special attention to specific areas to support your changing body, prepare for birth and post pregnancy.
Belly - Massage very gently. Think of it as your baby’s first massage! Either massage in clockwise circles respecting the digestive system’s elimination. Or massage/stroke from your sides towards your belly button - bringing attention and awareness into your center.
Breasts - Many women, pregnant or not, do not pay much physical attention to our breasts. They are strapped into bras often underwired and they do not have much space for movement. Our breasts are part of our circulation and lymph system. Massage encourages circulation and lymph flow. Circulation, including the lymphatic, is encouraged by our muscles (think of our calf muscles helping the lymph and circulation both from our legs to our heart) however our breasts do not have much movement and massage is a way to encourage stimulation and discourage stagnation. Massage using gentle kneading and circular movements.
Perineum - From week 32-34 you and your partner can support the elasticity of the perineum. Use a very oily oil. Wheatgerm is good as it contains plenty of vitamin E which benefits the skin’s elasticity. Start by massaging the perineum gently with plenty of oil. First a couple of times a week and then gradually increase it to a daily massage. After a few weeks start massaging the inside of your vagina. Very gently start stretching the skin just inside. Experiment by using either a thumb or the index and middle finger making U shaped movement towards the perineum and then start stretching the skin. As with everything else in life be aware of what feels comfortable and don’t go anywhere that feels uncomfortable or painful.

What oils to choose

The best oils to use are vegetable oils preferable grown organically. There are plenty of inexpensive good quality cold-pressed organic oils in the health food shops so find an oil which feels nice on your skin and has a smell you like. There are specific Pregnancy oil but do have a look at the ingredients list before choosing. The same goes for baby oils which are often mineral based with no real benefits to the skin. Obviously take into account any sensitivities or allergies you may have.

• Oils to calm a restless and anxious Vata mind include: Sesame oil (cold pressed and cured if possible).
• If you are hot and irritable in mind or body (Pitta) use cooling and calming oils such as coconut and olive oils.
• Or use lighter oils such sunflower or safflower to relieve congestion and heaviness associated with Kapha.

Embrace your changing body and enjoy your massages.
If you have any medical conditions, allergies or have specific health issues you may want to talk to your health consultant before your massage.

Calm down man - and boost your masculinity

A few weeks back I wrote about the ayurvedic herb Shatavari. A great remedy for the female reproductive system. This article is all about the MAN!

According to ayurveda everything in health - physical, mental or emotional - is down to digestion. If we don’t digest our food properly we create toxicity, or unhealthy material, in our body. In ayurveda we call it ama. If we don’t deal with emotional issues or stress we also create ama manifested in our mental health. So first thing first; finding a diet to suit our digestion and find a way to detoxify our mind. If we accumulate ama it will affect our body. Ayurvedic anatomy recognise seven tissues in the body. These will be affected by ama. From our plasma level, next the blood, fat tissue, bone, bone marrow and finally sukra or the reproductive tissue. Diet and stress definitely have an effect on the reproductive tissues which include sperm quality, motility and quantity and therefore conception.
The qualities of sukra (the reproductive tissue) include sweetness, cool, oily and liquid. You increase “like with like”. To increase sukra you can cook with ghee, take vegetable oils on your food and drink warm milk to the capacity of your digestion.

A branch of the Ayurvedic medicinal disciplines is Vajikarana which is dedicated to fertility and sexual health. A number of herbal remedies, diets, treatments and counseling are recommended. Here are the top three herbs:

• Ashwagandha: a favorite herb for male reproductive system and for stress for men and women. It is reputed to increase strength both muscle tone and for the nervous system. A bit like ginseng it works to relieve and balance stress levels. Translated as “the smell of a horse” is may be due to the smell of the fresh root or due to the fact that it is thought to give you “the sexual stamina of a horse”. Is believed to promote sperm health.
• Kapikachu: a vajikarana seed meaning it has aphrodisiac actions and improves sexual vitality. Traditionally used to bring health to the whole reproductive system: sperm quality and quantity, improve libido and is a sexual tonic for men and women.
• Guduchi: is also refered to as amrt or “divine nectar” as it has rejuvenating, strengthening as well as detoxing qualities. It is said to be anti-ama (anti-toxin), promote the sukra, or reproductive tissues, and being an aphrodisiac.

There are many reasons for imbalance in our body and mind and there are as many ways to create balance. I would highly recommend to see a qualified practitioner before embarking on any treatments, changes in diet or taking herbs. If you are on medication or under treatment please consult your consultant and speak to your practitioner.

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