IN CELEBRATION OF WATER

Waterfalls, lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, rain, waves, snow, ice, wells, hot springs, mist, dew, sweat, tears, perspiration, steam, fog, oasis's, icicles. Water has so many forms and as many qualities. It can be bubbling, calm, hot, cold, stagnant, stormy, deep, powerful and gentle, hard and soft. It nurtures and sustains life, and can as easily destroy it. In excess water floods and drowns, erodes and corrodes. Without water the earth is arid, the crops wither and die and man falters and returns to the soil.

Since the beginnings of Ayervedic Medicine, over 4000 years ago, to the present day, water has been associated with the emotional nature. The qualities of water have symbolized emotional expression, in medicine, psychology and in the vocabulary of different cultures around the world. Cold as ice, bubbling with laughter and enthusiasm, dry humor, steaming with anger. Water can be playful and light, calm, serene and peaceful or violent and dangerous.

Positive water energy manifests in natural grace and flexibility and the ability to nurture others with touch, warmth, understanding and love. Negative water energy is born of strong emotions, which sweep aside the needs of others and ignore social boundaries, or the frozen lack of emotion caused by deep wounding, repression, suppression and denial.

Water healing is received from the therapeutic use of baths, steams, sea water, teas, sprays, body wraps, douches, enemas, showers, waterfalls - using the cleansing, dissolving qualities of water to liquefy and release. The challenge of the water element is to go deeper into instinctual knowing and delicate feeling that respects all life, and to practice stillness together with graceful movement in service and duty.

The main Water element emotion is attachment created by desire and lust. It is the home of feeling and instincts, but most people experience only the more superficial emotions and changeable moods of water affected by desire for what pleases or satisfies, and resistance to what does not please and satisfy. Attachment is formed from our projections, desires, human personal need for giving and receiving love and the social structures, which protect relationships by family and community bonds. When positive there is deep feeling and instinctual knowing of the truth.

Too much of the water element causes water retention, excess fluid, perspiration and urine malfunctions, and the need for constant drinking. To little of the water element causes dryness, thinness, lack of perspiration, scanty urine and lack of thirst along with resistance to bathing and drinking.

So how can we use the qualities of water in our lives for health and self-nurturing? Here is something to try. Take an evening off of television, socializing, and responsibilities. Put some water on to boil for chamomile or peppermint tea. Lay out your favorite pajamas or nightgown, slippers and robe. Take candles and place them at strategic locations around your bathroom, close the door and pour hot water into the bathtub. By pouring hot water in first you will steam up and warm the entire room. Add half a cup of Lobelia , a soothing herbal relaxant (it will drain from the tub with the bath water if you powder it in the coffee grinder before putting it in the bath), a few drops of essential oils like Geranium (for water retention), Chamomile (for deep relaxation), or Jasmine (an anti-depressant and aphrodisiac). If you like music while you bathe opt for something soothing and uplifting. Miles Davis 'In a Silent Way' and tapes of monsoon time in the jungles of South America are my personal favorites. Silence has its own reward.

Add enough cold water to make the bath easy and comfortable to enter. Ease your way in gently, and once in the bath add hot water until it feels therapeutically hot, like a sauna. Bringing the water temperature up once you are already in the bath stimulates healthy perspiration. A bath pillow for your neck is nice. Now relax. Consciously relax from the tips of your toes, up your legs and, bit by bit, your entire body. Let your arms float, loosen your shoulders and BREATHE.

Take your time. Sipping your tea will help to promote perspiration, thus cooling you down (it's true). As you soak all of your pores will open and cleanse. Soak for at least twenty minutes or longer. It is good to give your skin a scrub with a brush or loofa to remove old skin. You can add hot water to the bath as it cools down.

When you are ready pull the plug and take a cool shower. Colder is better as it closes the pores again and stimulates circulation. I find it easier to start my shower a little cold and gradually make it fully cold. It's a little less scary that way. But the cold water is so refreshing at this point and doesn't make you feel cold on the inside.

Rather than toweling yourself dry, wrap up in towels and allow yourself to dry naturally. This is the perfect time to moisturize your skin. Sweet Almond Oil with a few drops of Jasmine Oil is lovely. Massaging the oil into your skin stimulates the flow of lymph and helps with water retention and cellulite. Now you should be feeling soft, glowing, a little, or a lot, sleepy. Curl up in your coziest pajamas, find a spot where you are comfortable and less likely to be disturbed.

Here is your opportunity to read a book, write in your journal, sketch or paint, float in gentle thoughts or meditate. You will feel the nurturing and therapeutic benefits of water tingling through every part of you. It's a wonderful way to recuperate from your day and promote health and vitality at the same time.