As the body moves through perimenopause and menopause, many women notice a shift toward holding—holding tension, fluid, or weight in ways that feel unfamiliar.
One of the most supportive ways to gently encourage movement again is through a simple Ayurvedic practice called abhyanga—warm oil massage applied to the body with intention and care.
While it may seem simple, this practice has a profound effect on the nervous system, circulation, and the body’s ability to release what it no longer needs.
Abhyanga is a practice that nourishes the tissues, calms the nervous system, and supports circulation—both of blood and lymph. In a stage of life where Vata is increasing and the body is seeking stability, this daily or weekly practice offers a consistent signal of safety and grounding.
From a physiological perspective, the lymphatic system plays an important role here. Unlike the cardiovascular system, which has the heart as a pump, the lymphatic system relies on movement, breath, and manual stimulation to circulate. When lymph becomes sluggish, it can contribute to feelings of heaviness, puffiness, and stagnation—experiences that are common during this transition.
Abhyanga offers a gentle and effective way to support this system.
The application of warm oil, combined with steady, intentional strokes toward the heart, helps encourage the natural movement of lymph while also softening the tissues. Over time, this can support the body’s ability to release what it no longer needs, rather than holding onto it.
Just as importantly, this practice communicates something essential to the nervous system:
You are supported. You are safe to let go.
A Simple Way to Begin
This does not need to be complicated or time-consuming.
You might begin with:
a small amount of warm oil (such as sesame or almond)
applying it to the arms and legs using long, steady strokes toward the heart
gentle circular motions around the joints and abdomen
allowing the oil to sit for a few minutes before bathing
Even a few minutes of consistent practice can begin to shift how the body feels.
Consistency Over Intensity
In this stage of life, the body responds more favorably to rhythm than to intensity.
A short, regular practice will be more supportive than an occasional, more vigorous effort. The goal is not to force change, but to create the conditions in which the body can begin to regulate and release on its own.
An Invitation Back Into the Body
Abhyanga is more than a technique.
It is a way of re-establishing relationship with the body—especially in a time when it may feel unfamiliar or unpredictable.
Through touch, warmth, and attention, the body is reminded of its own capacity to move, to soften, and to find balance again.
And over time, what once felt like holding…
can begin, gently, to shift into flow.