Self massage is a great way to encourage the flow of energy in the body and to release toxins and waste. Massage should be done first thing in the morning before a bath (daily for vata and 2/3 a week for pitta and kapha) using warmed oil and should last for about 10 minutes. Starting at the head, work your way down the body to your feet using gentle, circular motions, after massage the oils should ideally be left on the body for up to 30 minutes.

Different oil are recommended according to your dosha:
Vata - Calming oils Sesame, olive, almond.	Pitta – Cooling oils Coconut, sunflower, almond.	Kapha – Warming oils Mustard, corn , safflower.

Reading:
There are many books on Ayurveda and self help, our favourites include:

Books:

Ayurvedic Beauty Care
By Melanie Sachs.
Secrets of Ayurveda.
By Gopi Warrier, Dr. Harish Verma & Karen Sullivan.
The Monk who sold his Ferrari
By Robin Sharma.

All available on www.amazon.com

Centres:
Our favorite Ayurveda centres:

Kalari Kovilakom is the Palace for Ayurveda, perhaps the first and only one of its kind offering a deep healing, a doorway to the union of the mind, body and spirit http://kalarikovilakom.com