Ayurveda: Self-Massage
- Michelle Rae Sobi
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
The Power of Touch
Give Yourself a Healing Touch
By Michelle Rae Sobi, Edge Yoga School
In our fast-paced world, we often overlook one of the most accessible sources of healing available to us: the power of loving touch. From an Ayurvedic perspective, touch is every bit as essential to our well-being as nourishing foods or soothing sound therapy. It is a vital pathway through which the body receives care, comfort, and connection.
Our skin, the largest organ we have, is more than a simple barrier between ourselves and the outside world. It is rich with neurochemicals, immune modulators, and an intricate network of nerve receptors. These microscopic messengers are always working behind the scenes, responding to every subtle sensation. Through these channels, touch transforms us emotionally, physically, and biochemically.
When the skin is met with gentle massage or compassionate contact, the body responds with an internal symphony of healing chemicals that help:
Enhance immune function
Improve circulation
Elevate mood
Promote restful sleep
It’s no coincidence that we feel more grounded and supported after a hug, a massage, or even a comforting hand on the shoulder. Touch reminds the nervous system that we are safe, cared for, and connected.
In Ayurveda, touch is associated with the element of air—constantly moving, shifting, and whispering across the surface of our skin. Think of the gentle breeze that brushes past your arms on a summer day. That same subtle motion can calm the spirit and awaken our sense of vitality.
As practitioners, teachers, and seekers of wellness, I encourage you to explore the healing potential of touch in your daily life. Offer yourself a nurturing massage with warm oil, receive bodywork from a trained professional, or simply rest your hand over your heart during meditation. These small gestures carry big medicine.
Remember: your skin listens, your body responds, and your spirit softens.
Give yourself a healing touch.
You are worth it.
— Michelle
Edge Yoga School
