Abhyanga: Ayurvedic Oil Massage

A Comprehensive Course for Aspiring Body Therapists

Perth, WA: February 15-22, 2025

Byron Shire, NSW: July 25-31, 2025

Learn profound techniques of Abhyanga: Ayurvedic Massage

Imagine offering a massage experience so profound that it not only rejuvenates the body but uplifts the soul. This is Abhyanga – a time-tested Ayurvedic therapy that goes beyond physical relaxation to provide deep healing, balance, and bliss.

Whether you’re an aspiring body therapist, a seasoned practitioner, or simply someone passionate about holistic healing, this course invites you to immerse yourself in the ancient wisdom of Abhyanga.

Over 6-7 days, you’ll be guided step-by-step through the art and science of this powerful therapy, empowering you to transform the lives of others and your own. 

Why This Course Is For You

Our Abhyanga Massage Course is designed with you in mind. Each element of the program ensures that you leave confident, skilled, and inspired to bring the magic of Abhyanga into your practice—or start a fulfilling new journey in holistic health.

  • Hands-On Learning in Pairs: Unlike many massage schools that group students in threes, we train in pairs. This setup mirrors real clinical settings, helping you build confidence and precision in a supportive environment.
  • Personalised Attention: Small class sizes mean you’ll receive tailored feedback and close supervision, refining your techniques and addressing your unique learning needs.
  • Exclusive Techniques: Learn the specialised Abhyanga methods passed down by Dylan’s esteemed teachers—masters in Sūkṣma Marma (subtle energy activation) and Pañchakarma (Ayurvedic detox and rejuvenation). These unique skills elevate your practice, even if you’re an experienced body therapist.

By the end of this course, you’ll feel empowered to confidently offer Abhyanga as a standalone therapy or integrate it into your existing healing repertoire.

What To Expect

This isn’t your average weekend massage course. It’s a week-long intensive dive into a specialised form of Abhyanga, where you’ll build a strong foundation, develop potent therapeutic skills, and actually gain the confidence to offer this transformative Ayurvedic treatment as part of your professional services.

Course Details and Dates

Purusha House, Fremantle, WA: 15-18th & 20-22rd, February, 2025 (7-day course with one-day break)

Krishna Village, Murwillumbah, Byron Shire, NSW: 25-27th & 29-31st July, 2025  (6-day course, with one-day break)

This course is more than learning massage techniques; it’s about experiencing transformation. You’ll explore Abhyanga from the gross physical layers to the most subtle energetic levels.

  • Master the full-body Abhyanga massage sequence, including techniques for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum care, and specific pathologies.
  • Learn the significance of specific medicated oils, Marma points, and their impact on health and well-being.
  • Incorporate Ayurvedic principles into your practice, adapting treatments to individual constitutions and needs.
  • Gain practical business insights to integrate Abhyanga into your professional offerings confidently.

Accomodation & Catering

Perth, WA: For a peaceful and affordable nearby stay, we recommend Sivananda Ashram in Fremantle. It offers a serene environment and is conveniently located for easy access to the course. You can bring your lunch in each day, or there is a great health food cafe nearby.

Byron Shire, NSW: We encourage you to stay at the peaceful accomodation of Krishna Village, which has a diverse range of affordable accomodation options, Please arrange your accomodation directly with Krishna Village. 3 vegetarian meals are included in your stay at Krishna Village. 

For those who are staying  or living locally in their own accomodation, there is a generous day-tripper fee of $35/day which includes 3 meals/day. This needs to be arranged with Krishna Village prior.

***

Meals and accomodation are not included in the course fee.

Follow-Up Community & Ongoing Support

Your learning doesn’t stop when the course ends. After the training, you’ll join a supportive WhatsApp group to share client experiences, ask questions, and connect with fellow participants. Stay inspired with ongoing learning, group meetups, and follow-up group calls with Dylan to deepen your practice and grow together.

This Abhyanga massage course will be the initial foundation towards continuing to learn other Ayurvedic body therapies such as Shirodhara, other external basti treatments and more Ayurvedic body therapies.

This is not a government certified course and does not provide you with a license to practice any type of body therapy. You may integrate this knowledge with your own offerings to your discretion.

What each day will look like

Our approach to learning Abhyanga is diligent and precise. The purpose of this Abhyanga massage course is to fully empower you to leave confident to practice on others, with exceptional tools to enliven and heal every-single-cell in the body of your clients.

The learning process will be segmented into different body parts to fully hone in and truly embody each step of the abhyaṅga.

Confidently interact with specific body parts; from the gross, physical and structural levels, to the most micro-cellular & subtle energetic areas of the body.

Dylan will first demonstrate by breaking down the intricacies of his technique while students observe and take notes. Afterward, using your notes and guided prompts, you will practice on your peers as well as receive and experience abhyanga, all while being supervised by the facilitators. 

The below daily schedule is approximate and will refine according to present and the group’s progress.

Day 1: Setting & Foundation

  • Pulse Therapy and Diagnosis (Nādīparīksā): Introduction to the journey of pulse, a gateway to mastering the art of touch.

  • Theoretical Foundations: Abhyanga techniques, Ayurvedic body treatments, and the significance of Marma points (vital storehouses of prāṇa).

  • Practical Session: First steps into Śiro Abhyanga (head massage), a deeply soothing and transformative practice.

Day 2: Expanding Techniques

  • Morning: Mukha Abhyanga (Head and Face Massage) – Learn to release tension, improve circulation, and rejuvenate the facial tissues

  • Afternoon: Full-body Front Massage – Techniques for the front of the body, focusing on key energy points.

Day 3: Completing the Body Map

  • Morning: Pāda Abhyanga (Foot Massage) – Activate vital energy points and provide grounding and relaxation.

  • Afternoon: Back of the Body – Master techniques to address tension and enhance spinal health.

Day 4: Embodiment & Refinement

  • Morning: Full Abhyanga – Refine and embody the complete massage technique.

  • Afternoon: Full Abhyanga – Practice with guidance, gaining confidence in delivering a holistic treatment.

Day 5: Advanced Applications

  • Morning: Full Abhyanga – Deepen your skills and internalise the practice.

  • Afternoon:

    • Abhyanga for Fertility, Pregnancy, and Postpartum.

    • Medicated Oils and Herbal Dispensary: Learn to select and prepare oils for individual needs.

    • Specialised Techniques: Tailor Abhyanga for unique body types, pathologies, and specific circumstances.

Day 6: Integration and Transformation

  • Morning: Full Abhyanga – Mastery and refinement.

  • Afternoon:

    • Business Integration: Explore creative business models, legal considerations, insurance, and practical strategies for incorporating Abhyanga into professional offerings.

    • Certification Process: Guidance for ongoing learning, peer groups, and community support.

    • Dhanvantari Ceremony: Embody the Supreme Healer’s consciousness, inspiring healing through your hands, sight, and presence.

Day 7 (Perth only): Final Mastery

  • Further refinement of techniques.

  • Extended Dhanvantari Healing Ceremony: Deepen the spiritual and healing aspects of your practice.

How To Get Started

Dylan Smith

If you’re an Ayurvedic practitioner, wellness coach, or health professional seeking to deepen your expertise and expand your practice with transformative External Basti therapies, this training is designed for you. If you’re new to bodywork, it’s an excellent opportunity to start offering these therapies with confidence.

Book a free discovery call with Dylan to discuss how this course can elevate your practice, empower your clients, and transform your approach to healing. We’ll explore whether this training is the right fit for you and your professional journey.

Due to high demand, we’re offering a limited number of discovery calls each month. Secure your spot to see how we can support your growth

Abhyanga - Ayurvedic Massage

Abhyanga is a rejuvenating full-body massage that incorporates medicated oils specific to the unique constitution of the individual and the season.

It is particularly effective to stimulate and strengthen the lymphatic system, pacify the nervous system, optimise blood circulation, enhance the body’s innate detox mechanisms, internally lubricate, and much more.

Special consideration is given to the Marma Points which are special storehouses of energy and concentrated life-force. Learn how to enliven the marmas are for vast harmonious effects.

On this Abhyanga massage course you will learn how to integrate this time-tested therapy with other modalities, Ayurveda or any other healing treatments.

Both Dylan and his partner and colleague, Sole, have a reputation for providing exceptional Abhyanga treatments that provide a highly blissful experience that instills significant lasting effects.

Learn the techniques they have cultivated over a decade of experience.

You will also learn which medicated oils and techniques to use in different scenarios and individuals, as well as when Abhyanga is indicated and contraindicated. 

A course participant from the Abhyanga Massage Course feeling her pulse

Pulse Diagnosis and Pulse-Therapy

Pulse diagnosis, a healing art and science, is a most refined, accurate and comprehensive diagnostic tool employed to figure out where any imbalance exists in the body, and what the nature of the imbalance is.

The Pulse Diagnosis method that Dylan teaches is one of the easiest and most effective methods out there.

This method was passed down by his teachers, internationally renowned masters of Ayurveda and pulse diagnosis, the Raju family of Vaidyas.

In Ayurveda, every body treatment begins with the practitioner feeling the client’s pulse (when properly initiated), which serves as the gateway to mastering the sense of touch—considered the most refined and powerful of all senses. Through this subtle connection, the practitioner accesses a profound, healing sensitivity that guides the entire treatment.

Pricing and Signups

Price: $2500

Meals and accomodation are not included in the Abhyanga massage course fee. Those looking to stay on-site, please arrange your accomodation with Krishna Village (Byron) or you can arrange your own local accomodation elsewhere.

About Your Head Facilitator: Dylan Smith

Certified Ayurveda Practitioner, holistic health educator, and passionate advocate of Vedic wisdom, Dylan Smith is the founder of the Vital Veda clinic and education institute.
 
With years of expertise in teaching Abhyanga and having personally performed over one thousand Abhyanga treatments, Dylan’s dedication lies in guiding students and patients alike to seamlessly integrate the profound healing practices of Ayurveda into daily life.
 
Dylan operates from his clinic in Australia, consults globally, and is renowned for his exceptional Ayurveda treatments, which go far beyond a mere massage. His treatments are transformative healing experiences, with many patients reporting long-lasting benefits that stay with them for months. His Abhyanga courses, rooted in the authentic tradition of Ayurveda passed down through his extensive training in South India, equip students with the knowledge and skill to deliver powerful, blissful treatments.
 
Graduates of Vital Veda’s Abhyanga course are known for their exceptional abilities to provide healing and rejuvenating experiences, carrying forward the authentic Ayurvedic tradition that Dylan has been blessed to absorb and share.
 
As a teacher, lecturer, and lifelong student, Dylan’s mission is to inspire others to embrace the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda, enhancing wellness, vitality, and bliss for all.
dylan guides student on how to do abhyanga

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

This Abhyanga massage course is for all new/aspiring body therapists and people who already have experience practicing any type of body therapy, including Abhyanga

No, our courses are designed for complete beginners—even those who’ve never practiced any form of body therapy. Thanks to the comprehensive length and immersive nature of our programs, you’ll have ample time to develop the necessary skills. This course is ideal for anyone looking to begin offering these treatments to the public.

The local food that is served is organic, vegetarian, sattvic (wholesome and pure) foods. We do not cater, and you need to arrange yourself.

Yes, upon completion of the Abhyanga Training and Ayurveda Foundations course, you will receive an internationally recognized certificate accredited by the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT). This accreditation adds significant credibility to your qualifications and provides assurance to your clients that your expertise is acknowledged by a globally respected professional industry body. Additionally, graduates become eligible for:

  • IICT professional membership, giving you access to a supportive professional network.
  • Insurance with IICT-recommended partners, boosting your professional standing and client trust.

Vital Veda Certification:
The certificate from Vital Veda acknowledges you as a skilled Abhyanga body therapist, credited for performing this ancient healing practice with efficacy, uniqueness, and expertise.

Important Notes:

  • This course is not government-accredited and does not provide “national recognition” under government regulatory frameworks.
  • It is designed for practitioners within the complementary therapy field, and graduates should practice responsibly within their expertise, adhering to local laws and regulations.

Vital Veda’s Commitment:
Once you receive your certificate, your services will also be promoted and supported by Vital Veda, highlighting your expertise as part of the broader Ayurvedic community.

Vital Veda continuously hires therapists in our clinic and places such as Byron Shire, Sydney, Melbourne, including gathering a team and “abhyanga tent” at certain festivals. We frequently refer our patients from around the world to quality Ayurveda therapists who are local to our clients. We would also potentially be able to refer you to other respected Ayurveda clinics & practitioners to work along side.

Absolutely, even if you are already an experienced Ayurvedic therapist you will be deepening your knowledge, learning new technique, expanding the subtleties of unique methods and refining your offerings.

The AUD $1000 deposit is non-refundable.

The remaining fee is refundable up to May 25th, 2025, after that date it becomes non-refundable.

We strongly encourage the purchase of “trip cancellation insurance” for protection against any potential loss of fees.

A non-refundable AUD $1000 deposit is required to hold your space for our retreat.

If you are paying in instalments, the second payment (50% of the remaining balance) is due by November 1st, 2024.

The final (third) balance is due by May 25th, 2025.

Testimonials

What Past Students Say

The Abhyanga training was incredible! The pace of the course and the ‘stacking’ of knowledge has left me feeling confident and capable. Both Dylan and Sole were incredibly generous with sharing their wisdom. The group environment enhanced the experience and supported the deep dive into this ancient practice. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in Ayurveda or Abhyanga.

Learning Abhyanga Ayurvedic massage in Sydney with Dylan and Sole was so nourishing for the soul!! They are extremely knowledgable and so generous with their teachings. I left feeling inspired, alive and grateful. Highly recommend to everyone even if you are not planning on doing paid treatments, it will deepen your own self practise and it’s a beautiful gift for friends and family.

Just completed Vital Veda’s Intensive Abhyanga Course. Highly recommend for those wanting to give a deeply nourishing treatment whether to friends, to the community or for themselves. Profound, deep Ancient knowledge was shared- the technical aspects and precision to detail is unmatched. Feeling extremely inspired and fortunate to have received this knowledge from Dylan, Sole and the team at Vital Veda. Jai Guru Deva

I just completed the 7 day Abhyanga Course with Dylan & Sole. It was inspiring, nourishing and so much more than I expected. I can’t wait to share Abhyanga massage with my family and as a treatment in my clinic. It is a wonderful treatment that is so needed.

I truly enjoyed my time with Dylan, Sole, and the beautiful group of passionate and like-minded individuals. The Abhyanga Massage Course in Sydney was everything that I’d imagined and more. As an Ayurvedic Massage Therapist, the immersive learnings had helped me to refine my craft and appreciate this sophisticated art of healing even more. It is my great blessing to be learning this wisdom from Vital Veda and I’m grateful for the support, exchange and love. The consistent practice of self-Abhyanga, pulse reading, meditation (and eating Sattvic), was an integral aspect to my personal transformation. JGD.

Coming to Sydney and doing this training has been a real initiation for me. A rite of passage in many ways. There was so much healing that happened for me during my time on the training. So many emotions were processed and stuff buried deep in my body that I didn’t even realise was still there was released. I returned home a very different person. I have had so many people comment that I seem different or wondering what it is that is different about me. It’s been very interesting to observe this.

It is really quite profound the depth of healing that can happen with abhyanga. I always knew it to be very special, and healing, but doing the training has been a complete uplevelling. I know I have had to work with more diligence to bring myself to a state of confidence, but believe I have got there and will continue to refine this practice into something very special.

I have so much to thank you both for but at the same time words don’t seem enough in a sense. The best way I know to honour the training, is to become very skilled and very practised. The imprint of what was transmitted in the training continues to deepen. I sit with so much gratitude for this practice, and for the knowledge and wisdom with which it was delivered.

From the depths of my heart, again, I say thank you.

Dylan and Sole at Vital Veda present a wonderful and safe learning environment ,full of wisdom and practical experience for this unique course on Abyanga . An Authentic Ayurvedic tradition that is capable of teaching the novice to the more experienced practitioner. It was an amazing experience that nourishes to the very core of oneself.

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