Guest guest Posted July 2, 2000 Report Share Posted July 2, 2000 I'm wondering if I can somehow modify the cold shower so that won't seem quite so harsh. First, I don't have a shower. I have cold running water that I heat up in a kettle for baths. I also heat my cabin with a wood stove and in summer do not have a fire in the morning even though it can be quite chilly. I think if I lived in a hot place like India I would want to take cold showers all the time. Here in the Pacific Northwest it seems like an invitation to hypothermia. Or am I just being a wimp? Peggy Sue Devinderjit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2000 Report Share Posted July 2, 2000 Hi Peggy Sue, No you are being a wimp. Maintaining good health is important at all times. The concept of a shower is a new innovation----bathing in pools or the concept of the Roman bath house has been the norm for centuries. Idea, take a metal bucket (large) and punch holes in the bottom to construct a simple shower. Use a hose from a larger bucket for water to travel to the bucket with holes----this allows you to control water flow. Fill the larger bucket with heated water to a temperature that you are comfortible with to provide desired results. The bucket sytem works on principle of simply gravity. Good luck with your new shower. Frank Peggysue <pmcrae Kundaliniyoga <Kundaliniyoga > Sunday, July 02, 2000 9:01 AM cold shower? >I'm wondering if I can somehow modify the cold shower so that won't >seem quite so harsh. First, I don't have a shower. I have cold >running water that I heat up in a kettle for baths. I also heat my >cabin with a wood stove and in summer do not have a fire in the >morning even though it can be quite chilly. I think if I lived in a >hot place like India I would want to take cold showers all the time. >Here in the Pacific Northwest it seems like an invitation to >hypothermia. Or am I just being a wimp? > >Peggy Sue >Devinderjit > >------ >**BELIEFNET SHOPPING** Save $20 at the Beliefnet store! Thousands of >religious and spiritual gifts and products. Now- get $20 off purchases >of $50 or more through July 10. >http://click./1/5591/3/_/505222/_/962546385/ >------ > >"OUR DESTINY IS TO BE HAPPY" > - Yogi Bhajan > >You can UNSUBSCRIBE from this list at the ONElist Member Center (My ONElist), or send mail to >Kundaliniyoga- >NO UNSUBSCRIBE REQUESTS TO THE LIST PLEASE! >WEB SITE: kundalini yoga > >KUNDALINI YOGA ON-LINE TRAINING. Details from >kundalini yogaclasses.html > >Sponsored by YOGA TECHNOLOGY - Popular publishers since 1988 of books on Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2000 Report Share Posted July 3, 2000 Kundaliniyoga , Peggysue <pmcrae@r...> wrote: > I'm wondering if I can somehow modify the cold shower so that won't > seem quite so harsh. First, I don't have a shower. I have cold > running water that I heat up in a kettle for baths. I also heat my > cabin with a wood stove and in summer do not have a fire in the > morning even though it can be quite chilly. I think if I lived in a > hot place like India I would want to take cold showers all the time. Dear Devinderjit: There are some substantial benefits to getting accustomed to the morning cold shower, and your body will get used to the cold water over time - admittedly, it can be difficult at first. When I first started, I would scream! Then the cats would come into the bathroom and scream back. It was lots of fun! Now I don't scream any more - I do chant, though. The book "The Miracle of Healing Hands" has a whole section on Ishnaan (yogic hydrotherapy), and has some suggestions about them which are important. (BTW, my teacher suggested starting with cool showers, slowly decreasing the temperature every few days) One way to begin getting used to it, or an alternative for older or very cold-sensitive people, is a cold sponge bath (you can also use a cotton washcloth or loofah). You can stay in your bathrobe, exposing one section at a time. Dip the sponge (or whatever) into the cold running water, scrub that section until it is red with new blood, and then dry it by rubbing briskly with a towel - repeat until you've done the whole body. If you have built your hi-tech new bucket shower here are some steps which are helpful for the cold-sensitive. Preheat your almond oil before the massage (you should massage first with almond or sesame oil). Using warm oil will make this even nicer. Have a cup of hot herbal tea. Do 26 frogs, run in place for 3 minutes, and then lie down with your hand under your hips and do 2 minutes of leg- lifts - inhale up to 90 degrees, exhale down. Now jump in the cold shower. After dressing, you can walk briskly or bounce on a trampoline to help re-establish body heat. Other important tips: wear cotton shorts or equivalent, something that will cover half the thigh - the thigh regulates calcium production and is very sensitive to temperature changes. When you get under the water, rub yourself! Dance! Don't stand still. Go back and forth, under the water and back out, until you are accustomed. Breathe deeply! My book says women should stand under the spray, allowing the water to massage the breasts for a few seconds - then massage them manually. Men should be sure to do a few shoulder shrugs under the spray, getting the neck and shoulders - and everything else... And afterward, dry briskly! Rub your skin energetically so the blood comes to the skin and turns it beet red. The book says 3 minutes for women and 5 for men. Note on temperatures. 56-65 degrees (13-18 C) is considered cold. Anything below 56 is "very cold", and although you will probably get more of an effect from the colder water - which I take to mean you don't have to do it as long, this is not an exercise in masochism. If you really hate it, you probably won't keep doing it, and, like yoga, the point here is to build a regular practice. If you can accustom yourself to 33, great. If not, you are not a "wimp", but merely more cold-sensitive. At least get into the cold range to get the benefits of the cold water. Finally: people with circulatory problems such as Reynaud's syndrome should not take cold showers or baths. Hope this helps! Sat Nam, Sadhant Singh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2000 Report Share Posted July 3, 2000 Thank you for all the info on cold showers which I have been reading with great interest. I'm a very cold sensitive person and find them very difficult .Now I am inspired to try them again !! Peggy Sue, and anyone else in need of a shower - if you don't want to go the ingenous bucket route Real Goods sell a very cheap solar shower - you just fill it up with water and hang it up in the sun for three hours to get warm. For cold water all you have to do is fill it and then hang it up to use . It has a five gallon capacity.They usually cost $14.95 but in my catalogue they are on sale for $6.95. You'll find them at www.realgoods.com or 1800-762-7325. Good luck with it !! Blessings and Sat Nam, Avtar Kaur ______________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2000 Report Share Posted July 4, 2000 In _Kundalini yoga: the flow of eternal power_ Shakti Parwha Kaur Khaksa quotes Yogi Bhajan, "If you can't take a full cold shower, at least wash your hands, wash your elbows with cold water, wash your face, make your hands wet with cold water and massage your ears. Take a wet hand and put it on your chest and on the lower back. Wash your feet" Also, women should avoid the cold shower during menstruation and after the 7th mo. of pregnancy. BTW, we just moved to a house with those handheld shower heads on flexible hoses. They're great -- no more hokeypokey in small shower stalls! Gotta go before 9 mo. old wakes up and realizes I took "her" copy of _Kundalini yoga_...she laid claim to it about a week ago, and only allows me quick peeks. Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2000 Report Share Posted July 4, 2000 -Isn't it fascinating how much time we spend on this topic on this list? Maybe because it seems so easy and attainable, yet it's so hard.... Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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