Leigh Evans
Teacher and Teacher Trainer at Sacred Sounds Yoga
We can feel that Spring is almost here, and you’re probably starting to think about doing a Spring Cleanse. Even though the Spring Equinox was just a few weeks ago and it’s sunny, I still have to wear my winter coat because it’s cold & windy outside. So we’re in that tricky Spring transition. While doing a Spring juice cleanse can be great for the body and mind, it’s best to do this kind of a deeper detox when the weather gets warmer. According to Ayurveda, doing a juice cleanse or fast when the weather is cold outside can be too depleting to the system. Instead, ease into the transition with a seaweed and epsom salt bath.
The skin is the largest organ in your body and because it so porous, it is also a large part of our detoxification process. Seaweed is rich in minerals and vitamin A, C, B12, K and rich in amino acids. It is nourishing for our main winter organ, the kidneys as well as our liver, our spring organ. I usually use Kombu, but kelp and dulse work well too. You can buy it at your health food store or online.
I take these seaweed baths regularly, especially in the transition to Spring in preparation for a as well as during a cleanse. It’s like taking a mini trip to the ocean! Try it!
Seaweed Bath
- Place 2 or 3 large strips of kombu (seaweed) in a large pot filled with water.
- Bring to a boil, simmer for half an hour.
- Pour in entire contents seaweed & all into your bath water along with a 1/2 cup of epson salts or dead sea salts, and your favorite calming essential oils (lavender, geranium, rose etc.)
- Soak in bliss for at least 15 minutes.
Tip: For extra nourishment, stroke your skin with the seaweed. Afterward, your skin will be left feeling soft and silky, while your body and mind will feel deeply relaxed and cleansed.
For an early Spring practice, join me and Sho Higuchi for our Restorative Sound Bath & Yoga Nidra For Spring Renewal Workshop, Saturday, April 13, 6:30-9pm at Sacred Sounds Yoga for a deeply nourishing sound healing experience!
For more Seasonal practices and self care tips from Leigh, go to, http://www.leighevansyoga.
Joyful heart!
Leigh
kombu photo by: Alice Wiegand
salt photo: courtesy of National Institute of Korean Language