21 Things to Know Before Starting an Ashtanga Yoga Practice by Claudia Azula Altucher

Author:Claudia Azula Altucher [Altucher, Claudia Azula]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781613974834
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2011-05-08T18:30:00+00:00

EIGHT: CASTOR OIL BATH: THE

ASHTANGA YOGA SATURDAY

PRACTICE

Saturdays are the days of rest in the Ashtanga tradition and I, for one, am very fond of them. I appreciate the opportunity to let my muscles relax and rest and the opportunity to have coffee and read without the mat deadline.

The first time I travelled to India I heard from many practitioners that they had been advised by Pattabhi Jois to do what is called the “Saturday Practice”, by which they meant a castor oil bath.

The bath is said to be so powerful that common wisdom recommends taking it very easy on the following Sunday practice as the body is prone to be much more supple and stretching might seem easier, tempting one to go further than usual and increasing the chance for injury.

If you are thinking of trying it, it might be useful to talk to a teacher before attempting, just to be on the safe side.

The benefit of the bath is in the heat that the oil produces in the body. Every time I bathe in the oil I feel as if I had a suit on me that is trapping and then releasing impurities. Further benefits among others are the reduction of pain and inflammation and a healthy glow.

I usually get the Castor Oil that can be found in any health food store. Some readers of my blog have suggested that sesame or even almond oil can also be used.

I use one medium bottle per bath (about a pint). Then I follow these steps:

1.- Ensure that you have a surface covered either with a towel or some sort of floor protection. Things are about to get messy.

2.- Sit on the towel, pour oil on your head, and massage the scalp, then continue by pouring oil all over your body and gently massage it.

3.- Lay in corpse pose and relax for about 10 to 15 minutes. Best not to overdo it, especially the first time, as you are testing the effect that this practice will have on you.

4.- Carefully (as all surfaces you step on will be slippery if you rubbed your feet), step into the shower and remove the oil. I use a citrus soap, which works very well as it seems to cut the grease. Then shampoo one or two times and condition if you want to.

5.- Once you think you have taken all the oil out of your body, it may be a good idea to soap up again. The oil is very sticky and you probably have not taken it all out, I know because this happens to me every time.

6.- Clean the shower so the next person coming in does not slip and fall.

7.- Get dressed and take it easy. Just to give you an example, I am writing this post after taking the castor oil bath and I am feeling a mix of relaxation, a sense of wellbeing, and an urgent desire to lay down. As soon as I am done writing I will do just that.

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