Cold Shower? Seriously?

I absolutely ADORE this picture!  This is how I first felt when it was suggested I try cold showers in the morning.

First of all I'm a predominately Vata dosha physically.  That means I'm naturally cold, light, airy and dry if I don't keep myself in balance.

So the thought of stepping into a cold shower was out of the question!  Listen, I'm the one who won't swim unless it's the Caribbean.  Ask my kids!

Then came along the practice of Kundalini Yoga and the teachings of Yogi Bhajan on cold showers before morning sadhana.  There are pages written on the benefits of Ishnaan - The Science of Hydrotherapy.

I'm such a Virgo that of course I needed to at least try it out and see what the fuss was all about. Let me tell you, I looked and felt like Janet Leigh in the picture above.  I couldn't believe I was going to do this.

Ok can you hear so far in this blog that my mind and ego was running the show? If we continually listen to the loudest voice in our head (the ego) we'll never do anything that's out of our comfort zone and will help us grow and evolve!

Why take a cold shower you ask?

- Keeps your skin radiant

- Opens up the capillaries

- Flushes the organs

- Keeps the blood chemistry young and healthy

- Stimulates the healthy secretion of the glandular system

- Strengthens your immune system (you'll be crazy healthy!)

- Creates courage...  It takes a big act of courage to do this!

BEFORE I get in, I start with a 5-minute dry brushing of the entire body.  Then I do a brief abhyanga with sesame oil.  You can use any massage oil you prefer.  All of this begins the stimulation of your circulatory system.  For me the oiling was the KEY to handling the cold shower easily!  It was beyond astounding.

It's time for the cold water - enter in slowly! Start with outer extremities - feet, hands, arms. You will anyway LOL. Thighs, head and genitals should not go under the water directly at first.  It can disturb the calcium-magnesium balance.

Massage your body during the shower if you can for 12 - 15 minutes or whatever you can handle.  It'll get easier every day.

I take my warm showers at night to clear off the day's energies I might have picked up and to sleep really well.

So it's been over a year and I'm still doing cold showers.  I can't even think about starting my day without one now.  It's so awakening and uplifting and a beautiful, loving self-care ritual.  More than I could have ever imagined when my mind was still getting in the way.

xoK