ishnaan

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam,Didn't understand your second sentence, but I'll go with your first...The purpose of the cold shower upon waking is to immediately chase out the unconsciousness and dreaminess so that the body and mind are fully awake and can focus on Sadhana. Remember Yogi Bhajan said "The opposite of depression is focus;" nothing helps us focus like a cold shower-- make it as cold as possible. Give yourself permission to yell like crazy and see the cold shower as medicine-- let the water fall everywhere! Then afterward rub your body briskly with a towel. (Helpful hint: put your biggest and fluffiest towel in the dryer so it's nice and warm; that way you reward yourself).Good luck!Premdev Kaur

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam,

 

Wondering about the hot water before 'no-no'. I'd like to hear more about this

if anyone else has specific info. As I understand, the hot-cold-hot-cold thing

is prevalent in many cultures in their hydrotherapy.

 

And in talking to friends and teachers who do cold showers, I've found that no

two are even remotely alike! It's everyone's personal experience and there is no

'right' way.

 

Personally, I do a nice long HOT shower first to get totally clean and relaxed.

Then I ease into the cold slowly until it's totally frigid, and then I do my 3

minutes of immersion and surrender with " Wahe Guru, Wahe Guru, Wahey, Wahey,

Wahe Guru " -- which was given in 'Meditation for Surrender' as the mantra.

 

So, is this hot shower bad? I dunno... The cold part still does its work for me,

so... I'd like to hear more if anyone has specific reasons why Yogi Bhajan

considered it 'bad'??

 

Fateh Singh

[Guest guest]

Sat nam,

 

One summer at Women's Camp (perhaps 1986?) Yogi Bhajan mentioned that it

had come to his attention that some of us were taking our cold showers by

beginning with warm water. He said " you're kidding yourselves. "

 

He explained that the benefit comes with the shock of the cold water--it

always forces me to take a big inhale--like jumping into a cold lake. He

went on to say that if we wanted, after the cold shower (spinning under

the cold water, stepping out of the stream, patting all over, repeating

at least 3 times) then we could move on to warm water. Go ahead wash

your hair, luxuriate, anything you want...but always begin and end with

cold water.

 

For many of us that have practiced this for many years, it feels like an

essential part of the day. In New York, our water is very cold--it is

coming from underground and moving very fast--even in the summer. When I

am in a warmer climate, like in Florida for Winter Solstice, I sometimes

feel disappointed that I can't get what I'm looking for in a cold shower.

 

One time someone complained to Yogi Bhajan about our very cold water.

His comment: " you are very blessed. "

 

There have been times in my life when I felt I couldn't face the cold

water, like after an illness. I will mix a little warm in, just to take

the edge off, pretending that I am in Florida. But a voice always

answers " you're kidding yourself. " Sometimes, I am.

 

Blessings,

Gurusurya Kaur

Kundalini Yoga in Park Slope

Brooklyn, New York

__________

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[Guest guest]

Sat Nam Fateh Singh,

Yogiji said that taking a hot shower first and a cold shower after is

like saving desert for last. There is nothing like the blast of cold

water to wake up all your bodies. Doing so calls on your higher will,

your soul, to confront the sleep determined ego so you may feel totally

alive.

 

My first introduction to yogic hydrotherapy was in 1971 when taking yoga

classes from Baba Singh at UCLA. Baba Singh was living with Yogiji at

the time. He taught us as Yogiji was teaching him, often sharing it the

very next day. At one class he told the story of a tyrannical ship

captain whose crew finally decided to dump him overboard into the cold

ocean. They left him there flailing around until he calmed down, and

brought him a changed man, calm and clear.

 

Cold showers bring the blood from inside the organs to the surface of

the skin to warm you, strengthening the nerves and flushing your system

like nothing else can. Stay in it until you feel warm for the full effect.

 

It is okay to use warm water to wash with. Do the hydrotherapy first to

warm yourself, then warm to wash, and finish with cold until you are

warm again. It is best is to wash the hair in cold water to deeply

massage scalp meridians with the finger tips and stimulate the brain.

 

There is a super hot water therapy in the 3HO teachings where you soak

in hot water, as hot as you can stand it, for 31 minutes in a tub of

water up to your navel. It feels great and really is best if the water

does not go above the navel.

 

Loving Blessings,

SS Guru Prem Kaur Khalsa

www.yogagems.com

[Guest guest]

:-))) It's a matter of respect in the fanatic yogis club...In the old Hargobind

ashram in Northern California we had a swimming pool...in the Winter at 3:30 am

we would jump in...while biting down on a raw piece of garlic...ya know, just to

give it that little extra something....

 

Kundalini-Yoga , " Fateh Singh " <fatehsinghnyc wrote:

>

> Sat Nam,

>

> Wondering about the hot water before 'no-no'. I'd like to hear more about this

if anyone else has specific info. As I understand, the hot-cold-hot-cold thing

is prevalent in many cultures in their hydrotherapy.

>

> And in talking to friends and teachers who do cold showers, I've found that no

two are even remotely alike! It's everyone's personal experience and there is no

'right' way.

>

> Personally, I do a nice long HOT shower first to get totally clean and

relaxed. Then I ease into the cold slowly until it's totally frigid, and then I

do my 3 minutes of immersion and surrender with " Wahe Guru, Wahe Guru, Wahey,

Wahey, Wahe Guru " -- which was given in 'Meditation for Surrender' as the

mantra.

>

> So, is this hot shower bad? I dunno... The cold part still does its work for

me, so... I'd like to hear more if anyone has specific reasons why Yogi Bhajan

considered it 'bad'??

>

> Fateh Singh

>

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam,

It is amazing how much fear the cold shower brings up, after a few days it

becomes easier and easier, yet I havn't done it for ages. Today I bottled out

again. Here is what I need to remember from my experience:

1.) You'll feel really 'high' afterwards, like you can feel your aura.

2.) You wont be subject to hot or cold weather, you will feel an inner

temperature balance.

3.) Your skin won't be all itchy and prickly after you come out.

4.) Basically it is brilliant, when you come out you feel like you have been

meditating and doing kriyas.

5.) What you do really influences others, story:

My daughter Tara, now age 9, is a real hero and will do anything. When I cold

shower, she does to and she loves it! I gave her 'ang sang wahe guru' and we

would sing it and get so blissful. Afterwards we were both unstoppable. Tara

doesnt mind a straight cold blast but I'm a bit wimpier. Here are tips I (must)

use:

1.) Start with feet, then thighs working up, then face and head, arms and

shoulders, and then slowly aim jet at body, remove, then repeat until you can

just stay under it and you feel warm and not bothered (the sides of the body,

there is the fear thing for me to begin). USE A MANTRA

2.)As for temperature, I remember finding it a little easier in the winter as

there was less contrast. The water does get cold here in U.K.

3.) For me washing in the cold water is part of the challenge, it takes a bit of

guts to wash your hair and body in the cold water

4.) It is true Guru Prem, despite all the benefits of cold showers the ego

always seems pro-non evolution, I really admire people who can cold shower at

3:00 in the morning!

Happy cold showers,

Paul (Sukhnivas)

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam Fateh Singh,

 

I don't think the way yo do it is " bad " but there may be better ways to do it.

YB did not say this but it seems to me that just facing the cold water

immediately is saying to yourself that one can handle anything that happens

during the day instead of the buffer. That said, it would seem to me that just

doing it whatever way you can is 90% of the battle. It may also have something

to do with bringing the blood to the skin immediately.

 

Blessings

GuruBandhu

 

Kundalini-Yoga , " Fateh Singh " <fatehsinghnyc wrote:

>

> Sat Nam,

>

> Wondering about the hot water before 'no-no'. I'd like to hear more about this

if anyone else has specific info. As I understand, the hot-cold-hot-cold thing

is prevalent in many cultures in their hydrotherapy.

>

> And in talking to friends and teachers who do cold showers, I've found that no

two are even remotely alike! It's everyone's personal experience and there is no

'right' way.

>

> Personally, I do a nice long HOT shower first to get totally clean and

relaxed. Then I ease into the cold slowly until it's totally frigid, and then I

do my 3 minutes of immersion and surrender with " Wahe Guru, Wahe Guru, Wahey,

Wahey, Wahe Guru " -- which was given in 'Meditation for Surrender' as the

mantra.

>

> So, is this hot shower bad? I dunno... The cold part still does its work for

me, so... I'd like to hear more if anyone has specific reasons why Yogi Bhajan

considered it 'bad'??

>

> Fateh Singh

>

[Guest guest]

> There is a super hot water therapy in the 3HO teachings where you soak

> in hot water, as hot as you can stand it, for 31 minutes in a tub of

> water up to your navel. It feels great and really is best if the water

> does not go above the navel.

 

Re the above paragraph. I use the super hot water and do Sat Kriya for 11-31

(time depends on the severity of the malady) minutes. This will make the water

really dirty with toxins that are expelled. This is also the best way to clear

up a viral infection, better than any of the rugs an allopathic doctor can give

you. Be sure you have someone nearby who can help you out of the tub. I wrap up

in a warm blanket or large towel and go to bed. Next day I'm back to normal.

[Guest guest]

It's my understanding that if you're going to do warm/hot water, you

stay in it until your skin wrinkles, then end with cold.

That is most easily done (and probably more ecological) in a tub.

 

Re: ishnaanPosted by: " Fateh Singh " fatehsinghnyc

fatehsingh_nycSun Nov 1, 2009 8:03 am (PST)

 

 

Sat Nam,

 

Wondering about the hot water before 'no-no'. I'd like to hear more

about this if anyone else has specific info. As I understand, the hot-

cold-hot-cold thing is prevalent in many cultures in their hydrotherapy.

 

And in talking to friends and teachers who do cold showers, I've found

that no two are even remotely alike! It's everyone's personal

experience and there is no 'right' way.

 

Personally, I do a nice long HOT shower first to get totally clean and

relaxed. Then I ease into the cold slowly until it's totally frigid,

and then I do my 3 minutes of immersion and surrender with " Wahe Guru,

Wahe Guru, Wahey, Wahey, Wahe Guru " -- which was given in 'Meditation

for Surrender' as the mantra.

 

So, is this hot shower bad? I dunno... The cold part still does its

work for me, so... I'd like to hear more if anyone has specific

reasons why Yogi Bhajan considered it 'bad'??

 

Fateh Singh

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam!

 

Thanks everyone for all the tips and insight into Cold-first cold showers. It

was good to have experiential back-up to the original quote. And you made the

Cold-Warm-Cold therapy sound good, and I like the idea of ENDING with the cold

as well, because I like to keep that warm inner feeling as I step out into the

air.

 

I still have a slight reservation about the jumping in cold first to " shock " the

body and heart - and nothing really to do with courage or commitment. I

understand the whole idea of surrender and giving in as vital to getting out of

the head and into the heart. I don't see how it can really be good for the heart

to be shocked in any way. This seems at odds with being gentle with yourself.

I've even heard in some health reading/circles that it's not even good to

drink/gulp really really icy water because of the 'shock' to the system.

 

Perhaps I'm being overly cautious, but I find this slightly at odds with the

gentler and kinder aspects of yoga.

 

Fateh Singh

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam,

Yogi Bhajan never encouraged a " jump into cold " approach. He

encouraged warming up by massaging with oil first -

and not immersing the entire body all at once. One could step in and

out of the shower until adjusted - and, eventually you do feel

" warmed " by a cold shower

because of the improved circulation. I have a friend who steams up

the bathroom first.

I find that if I put my hands and feet (with all their nerve

endings) in first, and splash some water on my face, the rest follows

more easily.

It's the same way I approach swimming in the lake at Winter Solstice.

To dive in without acclimating chills you and makes you want to get

out quickly.

To adjust slowly builds tolerance.

And Yogi Bhajan encouraged an adjustment period in the other

direction as well. If one is overheated (e.g., from playing a sport),

he actually encouraged

wrapping up in a blanket and letting the body adjust slowly to a

change in temperature - rather than jumping into a cold shower.

Harbhajan Kaur

 

 

 

 

Re: ishnaanPosted by: " Fateh Singh " fatehsinghnyc

fatehsingh_nycFri Nov 6, 2009 8:38 am (PST)

 

 

Sat Nam!

 

Thanks everyone for all the tips and insight into Cold-first cold

showers. It was good to have experiential back-up to the original

quote. And you made the Cold-Warm-Cold therapy sound good, and I like

the idea of ENDING with the cold as well, because I like to keep that

warm inner feeling as I step out into the air.

 

I still have a slight reservation about the jumping in cold first to

" shock " the body and heart - and nothing really to do with courage or

commitment. I understand the whole idea of surrender and giving in as

vital to getting out of the head and into the heart. I don't see how

it can really be good for the heart to be shocked in any way. This

seems at odds with being gentle with yourself. I've even heard in some

health reading/circles that it's not even good to drink/gulp really

really icy water because of the 'shock' to the system.

 

Perhaps I'm being overly cautious, but I find this slightly at odds

with the gentler and kinder aspects of yoga.

 

Fateh Singh

[Guest guest]

Some years ago I made yoga in Argentina (it was no kundalini) but it was

interesting, that we made some kind of prepation-warm up exercises, after half

an hour we take a shower with cold water. we made wet the extremities first

(foot, legs, hands, arms), after a while the whole body, then we dressed warm

cloth and made asanas. It was wonderful...

 

Moxi

 

Kundalini-Yoga , Harbhajan Kaur Khalsa <harbhajank

wrote:

>

> Sat Nam,

> Yogi Bhajan never encouraged a " jump into cold " approach. He

> encouraged warming up by massaging with oil first -

> and not immersing the entire body all at once. One could step in and

> out of the shower until adjusted - and, eventually you do feel

> " warmed " by a cold shower

> because of the improved circulation. I have a friend who steams up

> the bathroom first.

> I find that if I put my hands and feet (with all their nerve

> endings) in first, and splash some water on my face, the rest follows

> more easily.

> It's the same way I approach swimming in the lake at Winter Solstice.

> To dive in without acclimating chills you and makes you want to get

> out quickly.

> To adjust slowly builds tolerance.

> And Yogi Bhajan encouraged an adjustment period in the other

> direction as well. If one is overheated (e.g., from playing a sport),

> he actually encouraged

> wrapping up in a blanket and letting the body adjust slowly to a

> change in temperature - rather than jumping into a cold shower.

> Harbhajan Kaur

>

>

>

>

> Re: ishnaanPosted by: " Fateh Singh " fatehsinghnyc

> fatehsingh_nycFri Nov 6, 2009 8:38 am (PST)

>

>

> Sat Nam!

>

> Thanks everyone for all the tips and insight into Cold-first cold

> showers. It was good to have experiential back-up to the original

> quote. And you made the Cold-Warm-Cold therapy sound good, and I like

> the idea of ENDING with the cold as well, because I like to keep that

> warm inner feeling as I step out into the air.

>

> I still have a slight reservation about the jumping in cold first to

> " shock " the body and heart - and nothing really to do with courage or

> commitment. I understand the whole idea of surrender and giving in as

> vital to getting out of the head and into the heart. I don't see how

> it can really be good for the heart to be shocked in any way. This

> seems at odds with being gentle with yourself. I've even heard in some

> health reading/circles that it's not even good to drink/gulp really

> really icy water because of the 'shock' to the system.

>

> Perhaps I'm being overly cautious, but I find this slightly at odds

> with the gentler and kinder aspects of yoga.

>

> Fateh Singh

>

[Guest guest]

Just jump in. No big process. You'll feel alive and free and awake and all

those other good things when you're done. It's a shock but a good one. You're

really ready for yoga then. There's no better preparation. If you don't you're

much more prone to sleep during Sadhana. That's just my opinion though - not

sanctioned. GM Singh.

 

Kundalini-Yoga , Harbhajan Kaur Khalsa <harbhajank

wrote:

>

> Sat Nam,

> Yogi Bhajan never encouraged a " jump into cold " approach. He

> encouraged warming up by massaging with oil first -

> and not immersing the entire body all at once. One could step in and

> out of the shower until adjusted - and, eventually you do feel

> " warmed " by a cold shower

> because of the improved circulation. I have a friend who steams up

> the bathroom first.

> I find that if I put my hands and feet (with all their nerve

> endings) in first, and splash some water on my face, the rest follows

> more easily.

> It's the same way I approach swimming in the lake at Winter Solstice.

> To dive in without acclimating chills you and makes you want to get

> out quickly.

> To adjust slowly builds tolerance.

> And Yogi Bhajan encouraged an adjustment period in the other

> direction as well. If one is overheated (e.g., from playing a sport),

> he actually encouraged

> wrapping up in a blanket and letting the body adjust slowly to a

> change in temperature - rather than jumping into a cold shower.

> Harbhajan Kaur

>

>

>

>

> Re: ishnaanPosted by: " Fateh Singh " fatehsinghnyc

> fatehsingh_nycFri Nov 6, 2009 8:38 am (PST)

>

>

> Sat Nam!

>

> Thanks everyone for all the tips and insight into Cold-first cold

> showers. It was good to have experiential back-up to the original

> quote. And you made the Cold-Warm-Cold therapy sound good, and I like

> the idea of ENDING with the cold as well, because I like to keep that

> warm inner feeling as I step out into the air.

>

> I still have a slight reservation about the jumping in cold first to

> " shock " the body and heart - and nothing really to do with courage or

> commitment. I understand the whole idea of surrender and giving in as

> vital to getting out of the head and into the heart. I don't see how

> it can really be good for the heart to be shocked in any way. This

> seems at odds with being gentle with yourself. I've even heard in some

> health reading/circles that it's not even good to drink/gulp really

> really icy water because of the 'shock' to the system.

>

> Perhaps I'm being overly cautious, but I find this slightly at odds

> with the gentler and kinder aspects of yoga.

>

> Fateh Singh

>

[Guest guest]

GM...I'm with you...I must have missed that lecture about doing it slow, though

I know about oiling yourself. In fact Yogji told a story once about a soldier

who was shell-shocked from war. The men were up in the mountains and they just

took the guy every morning and shoved him into the Ganges...and it healed his

nervous system...hey, you are officially sanctioned :-) K

 

Kundalini-Yoga , " jimatay " <jimatay wrote:

>

> Just jump in. No big process. You'll feel alive and free and awake and all

those other good things when you're done. It's a shock but a good one. You're

really ready for yoga then. There's no better preparation. If you don't you're

much more prone to sleep during Sadhana. That's just my opinion though - not

sanctioned. GM Singh.

>

> Kundalini-Yoga , Harbhajan Kaur Khalsa <harbhajank@>

wrote:

> >

> > Sat Nam,

> > Yogi Bhajan never encouraged a " jump into cold " approach. He

> > encouraged warming up by massaging with oil first -

> > and not immersing the entire body all at once. One could step in and

> > out of the shower until adjusted - and, eventually you do feel

> > " warmed " by a cold shower

> > because of the improved circulation. I have a friend who steams up

> > the bathroom first.

> > I find that if I put my hands and feet (with all their nerve

> > endings) in first, and splash some water on my face, the rest follows

> > more easily.

> > It's the same way I approach swimming in the lake at Winter Solstice.

> > To dive in without acclimating chills you and makes you want to get

> > out quickly.

> > To adjust slowly builds tolerance.

> > And Yogi Bhajan encouraged an adjustment period in the other

> > direction as well. If one is overheated (e.g., from playing a sport),

> > he actually encouraged

> > wrapping up in a blanket and letting the body adjust slowly to a

> > change in temperature - rather than jumping into a cold shower.

> > Harbhajan Kaur

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Re: ishnaanPosted by: " Fateh Singh " fatehsinghnyc@

> > fatehsingh_nycFri Nov 6, 2009 8:38 am (PST)

> >

> >

> > Sat Nam!

> >

> > Thanks everyone for all the tips and insight into Cold-first cold

> > showers. It was good to have experiential back-up to the original

> > quote. And you made the Cold-Warm-Cold therapy sound good, and I like

> > the idea of ENDING with the cold as well, because I like to keep that

> > warm inner feeling as I step out into the air.

> >

> > I still have a slight reservation about the jumping in cold first to

> > " shock " the body and heart - and nothing really to do with courage or

> > commitment. I understand the whole idea of surrender and giving in as

> > vital to getting out of the head and into the heart. I don't see how

> > it can really be good for the heart to be shocked in any way. This

> > seems at odds with being gentle with yourself. I've even heard in some

> > health reading/circles that it's not even good to drink/gulp really

> > really icy water because of the 'shock' to the system.

> >

> > Perhaps I'm being overly cautious, but I find this slightly at odds

> > with the gentler and kinder aspects of yoga.

> >

> > Fateh Singh

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam Fateh Singh,

 

One of the most important aspects of ishnaan is the vigorous and

thorough almond oil massage prior to getting into the cold shower.

The idea is to get your entire body's circulation working and warming

you.

Then as you expose each part of your body to the cold water you are

rubbing that part with one or both of your hands.

If you do this it is a very different experience.

Vital, loving, gentle, and very energizing.

I never feel chilled when I do ishnaan with this proper massage warm-

up and in the water massage too.

Really makes a difference.

 

Blessings,

Holy Kaur