November Sacred Ritual: Nasya Oil

As we step into November’s cooling winds and early darkness, Vata energy rises, taking our thoughts, worries, and sleep along for the ride.

This month, we honor the doorway of the nose, the gateway to the mind, using Nasya, a traditional Ayurvedic ritual for nourishing clarity, calm, and breath.

Awareness over perfection — always.

Woman taking time to settle before doing Nasya.

Week 1: Prepare the Path for Naysa Oil

Focus: Creating a weekly sacred moment

This week isn’t about oil yet; it’s about slowing down just enough to notice the breath entering and leaving your nose.

That awareness alone begins to soften Vata’s winds.

Your Ritual

1. Sit comfortably with a tall spine.

2. Place one hand over your heart and the other below your navel.

3. Inhale gently through the nose for 4 seconds.

4. Exhale slowly through the nose for 6 seconds.

5. Repeat 8–10 rounds daily.

Why It Matters

When the nasal passages soften, and breath flows smoothly, the mind follows.​

Weekly Reflection

Where does your breath feel most spacious?

What shifts when you bring gentle attention to it?​

Bottle of Nasya oil for doing this Sacred Ritual.

Week 2: Invitation to the Senses

Focus:

Aromatic warm-up + self-touch

This week you’ll begin very gentle nasal nourishment, not yet full Nasya.

Your Ritual

Warm a drop of Nasya oil between your fingertips.

Press lightly along the sides of your nose, from bridge to nostril wings.

Take a slow inhale, breathing in the herbal aroma.

Repeat before bed or upon waking.

Why It Matters

This awakens the pathways of prana (life-force energy) and prepares the tissues to receive deeper nourishment.

Weekly Reflection

How does this tiny moment of care shift your mood or sleep?

Is there one part of your evening that softens because of it?

Week 3: Begin Full Nasya

​

Focus: Nourishing the mind-body connection

This week, we gently introduce the oil inside the nose.

Your Ritual

1. Tilt your head back slightly or lie on a pillow.

2. Place 2-3 drops of Nasya oil into each nostril.

3. Sniff gently inward to guide the oil up.

4. Massage the nose and sinuses to encourage the oil into the sinuses.

5. Rest 1–2 minutes with slow breathing.

Why It Matters

Nasya soothes the nervous system, clears dryness, and supports deeper, more consistent sleep patterns.

Weekly Reflection

What thoughts loosen their grip after Nasya?

Is there a sensation of grounding or spaciousness?

Keep returning to this page for inspiration. Your weekly consistency is where the transformation happens.

Week 4: Extend the Ritual

Focus: Adding a gentle facial massage

Now that your practice is settling in, we add tension-unwinding touch.

Your Ritual

Perform full Nasya from Week 3 (description below), then:

Massage tiny circles:

• At the temples

• Along the jawline

• Behind the ears

• Across the brows

Why It Matters

Stored stress loves to settle in the face.

This massage helps quiet the mind before sleep and supports hormonal balance through calming the nervous system.

Weekly Reflection

Where does your face hold the most “effort”?What softens when you allow yourself to rest?

Make this a nightly ritual during the darker days ahead.

Woman doing Alternate Nostril Breathing to prepare for Nasya.

If you need Nasya Oil for this Sacred Ritual...

Athreya Herbs offers Healthy Nasal Oil, Anu Thailam, to help soothe the nasal passages and promote deep breathing.

Use code: wisewomanayurveda at checkout to get 15% off your order.

Kottakkal Ayurveda also offers a beautiful Anu Thailam.