Abhyanga: What to Wear, What It Costs & What to Know Beforehand
Before a first Abhyanga, the same practical questions come up almost every time: What should I wear? What does it actually cost? And how do I recognise a good Ayurvedic massage near me? Here are honest, concrete answers — no detours.
What should I wear to an Abhyanga?
The short answer: nothing special. You don't need particular clothing, no swimwear, nothing you'd have to buy. Just come as you are comfortable.
During the massage: you are always covered
Abhyanga is a full-body oil massage, so beforehand you undress to whatever level feels right for you — underwear can happily stay on. Throughout the massage you are covered with warm towels; only the area being worked on is ever uncovered. This draping is simply part of the massage. Many guests say afterwards that exactly this feeling of warmth and shelter under the towels is a big part of the relaxation.
Afterwards: bring oil-friendly clothes
Here is the real tip behind the clothing question: think about the time after the massage. The warm oil deliberately stays on the skin a little — the Charaka Samhita (Dinacharya) describes bathing as following the oiling, with a little oil happily left on the skin. In practice that means:
- Wear comfortable clothes afterwards that won't mind a drop of oil — an old cotton shirt rather than a silk blouse, dark fabrics rather than light ones.
- If the head and hair are oiled too (they are part of a full Abhyanga), plan a hair wash at home. A hair tie or a beanie for the way home is worth gold.
- A loose scarf and warm socks make the walk home through the Südstadt all the cosier.
What does an Abhyanga cost at Ayuasana?
Transparency matters to me, so the prices are out in the open:
- Abhyanga 60 minutes: 90 euros — all details about this massage
- Abhyanga 90 minutes: 120 euros
- Couples Abhyanga: 180 euros (60 min.) / 240 euros (90 min.)
Everything is included in the price: the personal pre-talk, the warm oil, the towels and a short rest at the end. There are no extra costs and nothing to book on top. If you'd like to give someone an Abhyanga, there are gift vouchers.
To put the cost in context: with the pre-talk and rest time, an Abhyanga really takes longer than the pure massage time, and generous amounts of high-quality warm oil are used — which is why an Ayurvedic oil massage is usually priced a little differently from a standard wellness massage.
How do you recognise a good Abhyanga near you?
Search for "Abhyanga massage near me" and you'll quickly find plenty of offers — with big differences between them. Three things are worth checking:
1. Real training rather than a weekend course
Do ask where someone learned Abhyanga. I trained at Suryavedam Ayur Wellness in Mysuru, South India — where this form of massage has been taught for generations — and added a PG Diploma in Yoga Education at the Kaivalyadhama institute in Lonavla. I don't mention this to impress, but because where someone trained says a lot about their strokes, rhythm and attitude.
2. A personal pre-talk
A good Abhyanga doesn't begin on the table, it begins in conversation: How are you today? What would you like from this hour? Are there areas to leave out? If a provider starts straight away without a word, that's a sign of conveyor-belt work.
3. The choice of oil
In the Ayurvedic tradition the massage oil is matched to the person's constitution: sesame oil is considered warm and heavy and is classically assigned to vata types, while sunflower or coconut oil are described as cooling and named for pitta. The Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthana, ch. 5) praises regular oil massage at length — the tradition describes it as nourishing for the skin and settling for the mobile vata quality. From my own practice I can say: many guests experience the warm, unhurried oil massage above all as deeply relaxing, warming and wonderfully calm. A provider who can explain why they choose a particular oil is taking the tradition seriously.
How far ahead should you book?
Ayuasana is a one-person practice at the Unisana Praxiszentrum on Salierring in Cologne's Südstadt (a few minutes from Barbarossaplatz and Chlodwigplatz, KVB stop Eifelstraße). That means full attention for you — but also a limited number of appointments. Three to seven days' lead time usually works well; evening slots and Saturdays go fastest. For a couples Abhyanga a little more notice helps, since two time slots need coordinating.
And what about the massage itself?
The complete flow — from arriving, through each step, to the rest afterwards — is covered in its own post: Your first Abhyanga: flow, preparation & FAQ. There you'll also find answers about eating beforehand, showering afterwards and what to bring.
In short
- Clothing: nothing special needed; you are covered throughout. For afterwards: comfortable, oil-friendly clothes and a plan for washing your hair.
- Cost: 90 euros for 60 minutes, 120 euros for 90 minutes, couples Abhyanga 180/240 euros — everything included.
- Choosing a provider: look for real training, a pre-talk and a reasoned choice of oil.
- Booking: three to seven days ahead, a little more for couples.
Whenever you like, pick a time at your leisure: book online here.
*Note: Ayuasana offers wellness massages for general wellbeing; they do not replace medical advice or treatment.*