fatigue relief!

Friends, family, clients, and even I myself feel too tired most days. It is annoying to be told to try some stretch or pose or activity to alleviate this exhaustion because, I'm just too tired! However, this is a constant lesson for me: when we create time for ourselves, we find more time.

A colleague of mine, incredible visual artist and yoga teacher, Jen Van de Pol, the person who began my evening ritual of tulsi-rose tea, offered this collection of restorative poses to help combat this constant, ever-growing exhaustion.

I hope you can, as I have, rest into it to find relief.

soak it up

A selection of Woman in a Bath Sponging Her Leg (1883) by Edgar Degas

 

via Wikimedia Commons

I am a big believer in the power of a soak. 

We've come a long way in the history of bathing in America. The tradition of soaking is much longer, especially in the places with thermal pools, naturally occurring hot springs. It wasn't until mid-19th century that bath tubs were common in the States, and only in for the wealthy. At the time they were mostly used for cold plunges, to 'balance the humors'. In the mansions of Newport, RI the homes along the Atlantic had tubs with salt water AND fresh water. With the ease if modern indoor plumbing, the baths we enjoy today are much warmer and an act of relaxation.

As many of my clients know, I don't have a shower only a tub. So, most nights I find myself soaking, usually in Epsom salts. A soak is part of my evening ritual, more than just the act of bathing it is my time to slow down, reflect, and be with myself.

The benefits of soaking are innumerable. I often suggest a soak to clients after sessions, to bring heat to the muscles, to help circulation. A soak in a tub is a radical act toward your own self care. To be solitary, to be submerged, to be still, to be wrapped in the comfort of warm water.


You can get more bath inspiration from my friends at Mountain Rose Herbs: https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-bath-recipes

for dark winter months, a cold remedy

This yearly combination of darkness, a calendar full running around, hugging and cheek-kissing, and the over-sugaring of the holidays has brought a cold to a few of my housemates. I have evaded it (for now) with a few simple rituals that I'd love to share with you:

1. Plenty of water!

Drink room temperature water (my naturopath suggest half your body weight in ounces), to help keep your body hydrated, as we tend to crank up our thermostats or crowd around smoky fireplaces!

2. Daily exercise!

I wake up every morning and get my heart-rate up for thirty minutes. There is nothing like sweating it out!

and most importantly...
3. Fire (fights the cold) Tea!

This has been my go-to beverage for a couple years now, I don't recall where I picked it up (some old remedy typed onto some other blog), but it always proves delicious and restorative! Whoever is in my home, especially in the winter months, will be handed a mug of this if they are feeling under the weather, a last ditch effort to NOT GET SICK! The recipe is simple: Ginger, Black Pepper, Cayenne, Lemon Juice, & Raw Honey, in Hot Water. Mix to your taste, sometimes I want it spicy-er, other times a nice spicy/sweet balance. As I sip this I like to pretend that the tingly feeling is really the Spice knocking out all of those pesky germs!

the goods + your favorite mug

fresh grated ginger, cayenne, cracked + whole black pepper (whatever you are feeling)

juice (half of) a lemon, add it to your spices

add a spoonful of honey, and stir in hot water

give to your ailing, but soon to be better loves