Sacred Bathing

"We are made mostly of water and to be immersed in this element is a natural place to be" - Anita

Bathing has always considered a sacred activity in Indian life, a healing ritual, not just for the body but for the spirit. Many other world cultures have also treated the bath as a healing activity. In ancient Greece, water was regarded as a gift of health from the gods themselves. In Rome, ruins of hot and cold sunken baths can still be seen at Pompeii.

Immersing the body in water helps calm the mind, soothe skin, improve lymphatic drainage, relieve muscle ache and induce a good night’s sleep.

Bathing is an accessible luxury that can soften hard emotions, lift melancholy, calm frazzled nerves and enhance our sense of wellbeing.

Before you get in

Have a clean bathtub & bathroom

Have your towel, moisturiser, comb and after bath clothing ready (fresh pajamas would be perfect).

Warm the room

Have a hand towel within reach of the tub, you might like to use this to pat your face dry, to dry your hands should you need to.

If listening to music or meditation set the volume at an audible but low level

Light your candle, lighting a candle instantly gives a feeling of relaxation and calm

You might like a cup of green or herbal tea, some strawberries, chocolates, place it within easy reach, but far enough away that it will not end up in the bathtub.

Turn off your phone & leave it outside the room.

Take your time, set your intention to stay in for at least 15 minutes

Ancient ayurvedic texts speak of therapeutic baths featuring rose petals, milk and honey, here are some more suggestions to add to your bath, use 1 or 2 or any combination of 3 or more.

Epsom salts - help to alleviate aches and pains, soothe tired muscles and reduce swelling. The sulfates in Epsom salt help draw toxins and heavy metals out of your body which can also help improve health and promote a general feeling of wellness.

Magnesium flakes – Magnesium bath flakes are quickly absorbed by the skin due to their exceptional solubility in water. Not only does bathing with magnesium flakes help restore magnesium levels in the body, you can also experience a multitude of remarkable health benefits. Magnesium plays a large role in relaxing our muscles and nerves, relieving stress and anxiety. Magnesium bath flakes can help relieve joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, and assist in improving sleep. The body is better able to absorb the magnesium through the skin than if it were consumed orally.

Small amount of baking soda - adds silky detoxifying benefits whilst making the water a bit more on the alkaline side.

Bentonite clay - is excellent at absorbing toxins from anything it touches. It gently draws out bacteria & dead skin cells.

Honey - adding honey will leave you feeling fresh, revitalized and moisturized all day long. Honey has natural antimicrobial properties and using it in your bath can expedite skin wound healing. honey can help generate new skin cells and fight skin aging. Bathing with honey helps bring sheen to your skin.

Milk powder, - improves the skin's appearance. The lactic acid in milk helps clean and soften the skin. The milk hydrates the skin, preventing dryness

Himalayan salt – reduces inflammation Himalayan salt bath can do miracles for your skin. Through the process of dermal absorption, your skin soaks up all the useful minerals like calcium, copper, iodine, iron, and magnesium, these minerals can better penetrate the skin when the salt is dissolved in warm water. As with magnesium flakes, the body is better able to absorb the minerals through the skin than if they were consumed orally.

6-8 drops of your favorite essential oil mixed with 15 ml of carrier oil - when mixed together the two oils blend, when you add this mix into the bath the carrier oil will float on top of the bathwater with the essential oil safely diluted in it. Your skin comes in contact with the diluted blend, which will not cause any irritation. Coconut, sweet almond, jojoba, avocado and apricot kernel are the best carrier oils to use in the bath.

Lavender, Rosemary, chamomile, rose petals, not all flowers are safe, click here to see a list of flowers not to use in your sacred bath.

While in the tub

Practice deep breathing while soaking in the bliss. Slow it down, inhale through the nose to the count of four, exhale through the mouth for the count of six, feel the tension dissolve & relaxation sink in with every exhalation

Close your eyes, feel the warm water on your skin, smell the aromas.

Notice parts of your body becoming weightless while other parts of your body sink.

Let your mind float away, feel the sensations within the body.

Allow yourself to become immersed in the sensuality of bathing

After bath

Once you feel fully relaxed & ready to get out, don’t rush getting out, slow it down, pat yourself dry… Try to stay in your relaxed state and carry this through with you into the rest of your day or evening. Treat yourself to a warm chai, snuggle down for a read, daydream, journal, draw, or nap.