Holistic Bathing: Cleanliness and Wellness
In some parts of India, cleansing the surface of the body is considered a sacred ritual. Before bathing, the body is first massaged with oil and prayers are made during the actual bathing process. Not performing the initial massage is considered inauspicious.
Although not all of us bathe for spiritual reasons, there is a practical side to this ritual. Maintaining hygiene is an important aspect of daily health care and the more we do for ourselves to prevent illness, the better.
It is recommended to take a bath or shower at least once a day. The skin is an excretory organ and needs to be regularly cleaned to stay fresh and healthy. This is especially true in hot weather, where bathing or showering more frequently is necessary. A cool bath or quick cold shower can refresh energy, sharpen the mind, and improve appetite, which tends to diminish in very hot weather. However, when it is cold and damp outside, it is important to wash well, but avoid soaking in hot, steamy baths as it can weaken the body.
People with different body constitutions may have different preferences for their bathing routine. Cold-bodied Vata people usually like to soak for long periods in hot baths, but to maintain the warm feeling, they should follow the soak with a quick cool shower. Pitta people, on the other hand, feel weakened by too much heat, including hot baths, steam rooms, and hot tubs. Cool baths and cold showers help to keep down their naturally high body heat, especially in the summer or when sexually over-aroused. Kapha people, who like to relax in the bathroom, should use warm water and a soft bristle brush to wash and stimulate circulation.
Using soap on the skin is not recommended as it destroys the natural protective mantle of the skin and removes beneficial bacteria, allowing harmful bacteria to proliferate. Instead of soap, a paste made from flour can be used to lightly scrub and cleanse the skin. Depending on the body constitution, different flours can be used, such as chickpea or lentil flour for Vata, barley or rice flour for Pitta, and corn or millet flour mixed with a little clay for Kapha. For inflamed or acned skin, a pinch of turmeric can be added to the mixture.
Lastly, as you bathe or shower, chanting or singing can be a way to purify the whole system. In conclusion, while cleansing the body may have spiritual roots in some cultures, it is a daily necessity for maintaining good health and hygiene. By paying attention to our body constitutions and using natural alternatives to soap, we can make our bathing routine a beneficial and enjoyable experience.
