Full-body oil massage

Abhyanga in Zurich

Two hands, warm oil, not one quick stroke.

60 or 90 minutesCHF 160 / 210 Practice in Zurich Hottingen

Warm plant oil being poured from a metal vessel onto a client’s back during an Abhyanga treatment in Zurich.

Abhyanga is the best-known treatment in Ayurveda: a full-body massage with warm, individually chosen plant oil. The strokes are long, slow and rhythmic — they follow the run of the muscles rather than a fixed sequence.

For a lot of people, Abhyanga is the first treatment where the body genuinely understands it is allowed to stop. That is the point of it: not pressure, but continuity. The warmth of the oil and the evenness of the movement give the nervous system a signal that words cannot.

Sanskrit: अभ्यङ्ग — “to anoint, to oil”

Book a session Not sure which treatment fits?

Abhyanga — particularly suited to

sustained stress and a densely packed week
physical and mental exhaustion
tension across the neck, shoulders and back — after long days at a screen
sleep that no longer restores you
dry skin and a sense of inner dryness
wanting to take deliberate time for yourself

What Abhyanga supports

encourages deep physical relaxation
may release muscular tension
supports natural blood and lymph circulation
nourishes the skin with high-quality plant oils
sharpens conscious body awareness
leaves a sense of lightness and renewed energy

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How an Abhyanga session runs

Arriving
A short conversation: how are you today, what is heavy right now, where is the body speaking up? Then I choose the oil. The times below are the treatment itself.
Back of the body · 25 minutes
Neck, back, legs. Long strokes along the muscle fibres, an even rhythm, steady pressure.
Foot reflex zones · 20 minutes
In the 90-minute treatment only. You turn onto your back and I start at the feet.
Front of the body · 30 to 40 minutes
Legs, arms, hands, neck, head and face — in the long version the abdomen as well. Head and neck get the most time.
Resting · 5 minutes
You stay lying down. No getting up, no talking. The effect settles in that silence.

Important

Please do not come straight after a large meal — two hours is ideal. The oil stays in the skin for a few hours, so it is best not to schedule anything afterwards where you need to look immaculate.

I do not treat with fever, acute infections, acute inflammation, fresh injuries, open wounds, unexplained swelling, sudden or unexplained severe pain, or suspected thrombosis. In pregnancy I treat at any month — with symptoms, please bring a note from your doctor. With high blood pressure, heart or kidney conditions, pronounced oedema, during cancer treatment and after surgery I treat only with explicit medical clearance. If you are unsure, just tell me beforehand — we sort it out in two minutes.

My work serves wellbeing. It is not a medical therapy and does not replace medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment.

Common questions

Abhyanga — Common questions

What is the difference between Abhyanga and a classic massage?

Three things. The oil: Abhyanga uses a generous amount of warm plant oil, chosen for you after a short conversation, where in a classic massage oil is mainly a lubricant. The pressure: a classic massage works deep and locally on individual muscles, Abhyanga broad and even across the whole body. The shape of the session: head and neck are a fixed part of it, and it ends with time lying still. If what you want is one stubborn knot worked out, a classic or sports massage is usually the better choice.

What do I wear for an Abhyanga massage?

You undress to your underwear and are covered with towels throughout — only the area I am working on is uncovered at any moment. Bring dark, comfortable clothes for afterwards, since oil can leave marks.

How much oil is used, and do I need to shower afterwards?

I work with a generous amount of warm oil; that is part of how it works. There is no shower at the practice, and most people do not need one: many deliberately leave the oil on for an hour or two and shower at home.

Is Abhyanga painful?

No. Abhyanga is not deep-tissue work. The pressure is medium and even, never painful. If anything is uncomfortable, just say so — I adjust immediately.

What does Abhyanga cost in Zurich?

60 minutes costs CHF 160 and 90 minutes CHF 210. I am registered with the EMR, so many supplementary insurance policies for complementary medicine contribute part of the cost. Compulsory basic insurance (KVG/LAMal) does not cover these treatments at all, and whether and how much you get back is decided solely by your insurer — please check before your first appointment.

All questions about ayurvedic treatment