9 minute read
MIND, BODY & SPIRIT
HEALING WITH WATER
No matter the time of year I can conjure up the feeling being parched on the hottest of days: leaving the beach and taking a big sip of cool water and perking up almost instantaneously. Similarly, on winter afternoons when I just feel cold and damp all the way to my bones, sipping on a big hot mug of bitter herbal tea. Both gifts we get from water. Anyone reading this section of the magazine knows that you are supposed to drink lots of water every day to stay hydrated. Almost every weight loss plan I have ever heard of or read about includes drinking more water. Sometimes our body is craving nourishment – and we assume it’s food, when it’s simply thirsty. Animals need it. Athletes need it. The elderly need it. The fight for clean water carries on in many areas around the world unfortunately.
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I’ve spoken with several naturopaths and ayurvedic specialists who recommend hot lemon water as the best detox for your system. Forget the fancy pills and supplements. This hot lemon water ritual is how I start each day even before my coffee and I just feel better. I couldn’t tell you for certain if it’s detoxing my body but it certainly detoxes my foggy morning brain and any negativity left over from the day before.
So those are some of the physical benefits of water – and arguably energetic (proper
BY KAITLYN VITTOZZI
hydration = more energy), but what about the mental and emotional healing that the water can bring?
“When life places stones in your path, be the water. A persistent drop of water will wear away even the hardest stone.” Autumn Morning Star
At the hardest points in my life, finding a body of water has almost always provided some clarity, or at least a little bit of
relief. Here are my three go-to practices (besides that lemon water) for when you’re feeling unsure of your next steps. Jumping in. I teach Paddleboard Yoga on Canandaigua Lake. Before I was teaching, I nervously stood as a student of Leslee Schenk Trzcinski’s on the beach of Kershaw Park. Once in the water – I was so terrified I would be the first one to fall off the board and into the lake. I moved, very rigidly and in a calculated fashion from posture to posture on the board. I was afraid of embarrassment. At the end of class, I attempted to push myself into a full backbend and propelled myself directly into the lake. Cue “Jaws” theme song. It was a safe space. I emerged, soaked, and laughing. That was 2012 – before I was teaching the classes. Since then I have seen a similar student show up to almost every class since; neck and toes clenched for dear life, afraid a breath might topple them into the water. So often as humans, we are afraid of what will happen if we give ourselves over to something fully. We dip one toe into the proverbial water while still holding on onto what is comfortable. The fact of the matter is, we can try to control life all we want – but the world will never let us be in complete control. Take a risk. Get soaked. Jump in. Constant holding in of your body creates unnecessary tension that might follow you around the next day. Water just moves, without fear and certainly without judgement.
Feeling the water. There is a definite change in the way the water and the air feel in Upstate New York from hot and sticky mid-July to late August when it gets a little bit cooler, and goose bumps start to pop up. I know most of us prefer one or the other. What I love about teaching in the water is that it makes me FEEL the physical sensations. Maybe the roughness of the
wind on my skin isn’t my favorite, but I have the privilege to get to experience it. And sitting in discomfort, is a skill. I of course would recommend getting up early and hopping in the lake to anyone – but if that’s a bit of a stretch for you– consider playing with water in your sink. Or ending your hot showers with cool water to switch things up. The next time you go to get in the pool drop any preconceived notion of what is hot or cold and just simply feel and notice. Water watching meditation. In my late twenties I felt a bit stuck. I needed something to be different, so on a bit of a whim I got a job in Portugal, teaching yoga at Salty Ways surf camp. It paid me in room and board. To say that all of the employees and staff would get along on a daily basis would be a lie.
Personalities just don’t work that way. But every evening, we would walk out to the road or the beach and watch the ocean waves for about an hour before sunset. Watching the water was a unifier. Simply sitting and watching, no story is perhaps the best meditation I can offer anyone. Go to your nearest lake, creek, ocean and just get lost in the watching. Your takeaway may be different than mine. Mine was that the Atlantic Ocean was here long before me and will be here long after. So any miniscule judgement, or negative thought I had about myself – was utter bullshit. I complete this draft after teaching a yoga class to a bridal party on a dock on Seneca Lake. I didn’t know the group, but after surrounding ourselves with the feelings of the lake for the hour - the bride sighed, “I didn’t know how much I needed that.”
What other ways has water helped you heal? Shoot me a note at TozziYoga.com, I would love to hear it!
Kaitlyn Vittozzi is a Yoga Therapist specializing in personal growth, postpartum struggles, stress and chronic pain.
THE HEALING PROPERTIES OF WATER
BY ALANA CAHOON
Imagine floating on the surface of a placid, crystal-clear pond. Or diving deeply into an aqua-marine pool. One is calming to the nerves, while the other is exhilarating; both enticing the senses to a place of pleasure, perhaps even health and wellness. that can assume their physical form either as human, partial human-serpent or the whole serpent.” Lesson learned: When meditating near a body of water, honor the water nagas. Ask for any messages that may benefit your well-being. Then be receptive.
In this case, they were the whole serpent. About eight of them.
Have you ever wondered what it is about water that is good for you? Certainly the benefits of drinking water makes sense. It purifies your internal organs and hydrates your entire body. But floating on water or swimming within its depths, what exactly does it provide other than pleasure?
I was meditating recently - imagine that - when the imagery of snakes appeared. At first I was frightened. What could they possibly mean? Knowing that whenever imagery appears in a meditation, it is a symbolic message, I began to search for answers.
Unfortunately symbols often take time to decipher, whether it is moments, hours, days, weeks or even months. It wasn’t until I shared my experience with a spiritual advisor that I learned its profound meaning.
Water Nagas.
According to the knowledge base found at Wikipedia, “The Naga are divine, splendid, and proud semi-divine deities “Their domain is an enchanted realm filled with gems, gold and other earthly treasures called Naga-loka. They are often associated with bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, seas, and wells,
and are guardians of treasure. They are known to have guarded wise beings of Asian descent.”
Super cool! Love it when symbols are this sacred.
You can take the meaning of the nagas to a variety of places, I suppose. But I’ve learned it is wise to find the positive angle, in this case - guarding me and my treasures! Which could very well be the health & wellness of my … mind, body & spirit. Another way to unveil the healing secrets of water is to look at the beginning of our time here on earth, our conception. As we grew into our own physical nature, our fetus was nurtured in the womb of water. These waters were loaded with nutrients & love! Is it any wonder then, that swimming and floating on water is pleasurable.
Elements of hydration that increase one’s healing include the minerals found in natural springs. These can be found all over the world! Here are a listing of just a few:
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, ARKANSAS
This was my first introduction to natural hot springs! Surrounded by cascading waterfalls and greenery. The springs are a testament to waking the senses and healing the muscles.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
This has been on my map of places to go for sometime now. If you’ve been there, hit me up. I’d love to hear all about it!
PAGOSA SPRINGS, COLORADO Located within a half hour of Tara Mandala, Tibetan Buddhist Retreat
Center. This is a luxurious ending to a long meditation program! Each natural pool has its unique listing of healing minerals and elements as well as its level of heat, sometimes exceeding 100°
BLUE LAGOON, ICELAND
Imagine visions of ethereal icy blue waters with clouds of steam gently rising above. These geothermal waters begin1.2 miles below surface.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK
There are 21 public mineral springs scattered about the area. But wait. These springs are for drinking since they are all carbonated. IDK. A little bubbly in your bath might be good! of water. The acronym ‘SPA’ is an abbreviation for the term “solus par aqua” which means health or healing through water.
I used to love lingering in the steam room. It is an excellent practice to open the pores of your skin and release toxins. It can also be used to lose weight, most likely … water-weight!
Personally I enjoy walking along the shoreline barefoot, feeling the coolness of the water, crushing the seashells beneath my feet; and listening to the call of the seagulls, and the rhythmic patterns of the waves rolling in and out. In his poem, The Water-Nymph, Alexander Pushkin describes the sad life of a lone friar, digging his own grave, so lonely that death is appealing to him. He is awakened by the lifting of a fog and the appearance of this magical water creature.
In the romantic language of poetry, we watch this man come back to life, curious and enchanted by the naked beauty of the water nymph with long flowing hair and playful ways. The ending? Well, you’ll have to read the poem.
Alana Cahoon is the author of Amazon Bestseller, Mindfulness, Mantras & Meditation. She coaches individuals to grow their businesses, expand their minds & heal their souls. www. AlanaCahoon.com.
