Ritual Series: Bathing
Given that the human body is comprised of 75% water it’s not surprising that soaking in warm water is known to relax joints, muscles, reduce cortisol levels and improve circulation. It emulates being back in the womb which in itself embodies a sense of safety and comfort.
Michael Wenger, Dean of Buddhist studies at the San Francisco Zen Center, said, "Moving water is 'white noise,' in which you can hear many things. Each individual may hear a different song in the water. Just listening to the sound - not tying it to anything, just letting sound wash over you - is a way of letting go of your ideas and directly experiencing things as they are."
This form of healing self care has taken many shapes over the years and goes far beyond the humble bath as we know it.
‘The beneficial effects of thermal cures are well-known since the ancient time, when men discovered the importance of water as an essential element for human life, and built the first civilities near to seas and rivers. Indians and Greeks thought that the water was on the basis of the world (Archè) and of the human being. Also in the Genesis of Bible, water has been described as the origin of cosmos.’ University G. Marconi of Rome, Dermatology and Venereology, Rome 00192, Italy
“In Native American cultures, the sweat bath first served as an ancient hydrotherapeutic technique and is still practiced in a similar form today. In 200 B.C. India, the steam bath, or "swedana" was developed as part of a purification treatment.” Hollis Kline, Psychology Today, 2001.
More recently, experiences such as float pods allow you to immerse yourself in individual tubs of temperature controlled waters, with or without music, giving you the opportunity to be completely undisturbed and relaxed for 1-2.5 hours straight. The weightlessness of floating giving a sense of being held. In particular, the I-sopod is ‘specifically designed to block out all external distractions including sight, sound, tactile sensations and gravity’ promising transformational experiences.
Turkish baths are also a very popular way to get the water fix city dwellers often crave. York Hall and Ironmonger Row Baths are amongst the modern day choices, as these London based Turkish baths had somewhat of a renaissance from the 1800s.
If public bathing doesn’t float your… tub, ‘at home’ spa’s will facilitate you with all the water therapy benefits. From the original cold and flu soak herbal formula bath oil if you’re feeling under the weather to Epsom salts for aching muscles, scented candles to awaken your senses, body scrubs to rejuvenate and bubbles to bathe in - these items are easily available to enhance your own sacred healing space.
As in all modes of healing, we need to make time for Self in order to enhance our experience and positive impact in the world. A bath is a perfectly simple but effective way to show yourself some much-needed care.
