Energizing and Therapeutic Baths Promote Well-Being!

Exploring the most popular routes in the English countryside in search of a good day trip spot, on a warm British summer day, a curious name apperars between on stop and another: Bath. Just reading two short sentences about the city of Somerset Country was enough to buy the train ticket and leave excited to discover this historing well-being itinerary. It's less than a two-hour drive from central London to get there. It's hot springs, famous fo their healing and relaxing properties, enchanted Celts and the Roman Empire, which built bathing spots there. Some exist to this day, many others are just ruins that form an open-air museum. Such structures move the city and are so important that they even name it after them.

Immersions in water can tie together several points around the globe, in fact. The Osen, in Japan, are thermal baths for collective use, often without clothes and with several restrictions for tattooed peoeple (because of the bad reputation of ink there). They are part of the itinerary of those who want to know the culture of oriental relacation that uses nature as a source of renewal. In distant Rotura, New Zealand, because of the abuntant geothermal activity, you can enjoy bathing in naturally warm waters, in spas and even on a beach, which is in Te Rãtã Bay. In addtion to being very pleasant, because of the temperature, it is a way for local cultures to connect with the powerful and revitalizing energies of Mother Earth. Migrating from the Northen Hemisphere or Oceania to the warmth of our tropical lands, Brazilians are truly fascinated by baths full of meaning. It is a custom that accompanies the development of our society and that is far from falling into disuse as a method of healing, calming and energizing. They arise from the crossing of ancestral knowledge, of the native peoples, with African faith rituals and are so often indicated by faith healers, coming from the rustic culture, still so little formally cataloged. It is very common, in small towns, to have an elderly woman who mixes medicinal herbs ad other natural elements to promote baths that cleanse negative energies and calm the minds of that community. In times of increasing stress, offering waters of faith regains a captive place on the agenda of those who believe and want more energy, or to discharge emotions that are weighing on the mind and body.

A very popular bath in Brazil, especially during New Years Eve, is rock salt. What not all people know is that it cleans up the bad and the good, according to those who follow the holistic playbook of rituals like this. "That's why it's always important to take another bath on top of it. In addition, rock salt is always recommended froom the neck down. Keep in mind that you need t have intention when taking a bath, because energy works on intention." says Pri Nascimento, holistic therapist.

Pri even indicates a practice for those who want to do the so-called "deep cleansing": "This baths deeply cleanses our enegry field. It's a reset. To do it, put three hanffucls of coarse salt in a liter of water (it can be in the shower itself). Pour the liquid from the neck down asking it to clear negative energies and bad thoughts and feelings. Also ask it to eliminate the energies that may be unbalancing your enegry field. A prayer is always worth it. After this bath, it is important to take another one", he explains. The second stage may involve a bath of vitality and joy. "It serves to lift our spirits. Use a few sprigs of rosemary (from 3 to 7) in a liter of already boiling water. Take it, ask for joy, willingness, simplicity and the pleasure of seeing beauty in everyday life", he says.

But what would be the reason to not throw the purification baths over your head? "The head is an area of the body, that's energetically, very potent. It is out connection with the field of spirituality. Baths affect out consciousness and not everyone is prepared for this. It is important to be careful when doing baths that involve this part of the body. The energetic types are not thrown on the head, for example. The therapeutic ones need a specific evaluation, as it depends a lot on each ingredient, each herb", says Fabrícia Nogueira, message therapist and holistic therapist at Grupo Fasano.

Despite being presented as foor baths or baths, in spas, therapeutic baths can easily be done in the shower. "We can prepare them in a bowl. First we separate the herbs, macerate and leave them to soak for a while. Then we strain them and put them in hot water, to reach a very pleasent, warm temperature. First we take our usual bath (to sanitize) and, later, we throw the liquid with a mug, from neck down, clockwise: back, right side, from and left side, which is the direction of circulation of our energy", explains Fabrícia. The expert's recipe for energizing is to boi some cloves and cinnamon sticks in a liter of water and a spoon of rose water. "In addition to being energizing, it is an aphrodisiac, but it is not suitable for pregnant women, lactating women and children", he comments.

For those who want to skip the preparation and go straight to the ritual, there are great spa options, in Brazil and around the world, and for the most diverse places. In Cairo, Egypt, the Turskish bath at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence the baths are done in a heated marble-lined enviroment and lasts for one hour. In it, a steam bath, body massage with foam, exfoliation and periods of decompression in waters flavored with sandalwood, citrus fruits and coffee guarantee well-being. In Leicester Square, London, the calming waters can be enjoyed in a private pool in the wellness area of The Retreat - The Londoner. Between one dive and another, it is also possible to scheduele therapies with LED, to soothe the skin and muscles, in the programs called Poolside Experiences. At the hoel that is considered a seconed home for for many Hollywood celebrities, the Bel-Air, the theraputic bath experience can be enjoyed by couples in an enviroment that, in addition to the bathtub, has a private patio and a waterfall. At Fasano Boa Vista, with it's relacing foot bath with spices, you also have the option of a stimulating Scottish shower, with water making light pressure over the body. In the interior of São Paulo, in the traditional Health Club of the Grande Hotel São Pedro, the sulfur bath is the most popular. Its waters bring peace and also have medicinal properties. Indications range from muscle relaxation to skin hydration and improvement of dermatitis and joint pain.

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