What is “ishnan” you ask? Brrrr….I’ll tell you! A cold morning shower. Done correctly (and alongside my meditation practice), it is completed upon waking – preferably by 4am(!) Ouch. It is not something I went looking for mind you. I love my hot baths, hot springs, hot water bottles. I wear layers of clothes to bed. I love warmth! But this practice is all about moving the lymph fluid (especially around the breasts) and it happens by putting yourself in the stream of cold water so that the blood and lymph are massaged and moved by the bracing cold and the body working itself to warmth encourages movement that is often hard to achieve in other ways except by exercising. Lymph nodes exist along the breast tissues and under the armpits and many lymph nodes are in the digestive area.

I was introduced to ishnan by way of yoga and my teacher who was offering a 40 day mediation. I have to admit that my husband was the first in the family to try ishnan – his practice lasted 40 days…wonder if I will continue after the 40 days? I still am not exactly sure what I signed up for, but I thought I might benefit from learning how to quiet my thoughts and I knew I could use the support of a group. The practice begins every morning with a cold shower – doable in the summer, but getting increasing more difficult as the weather is beginning to shift.

The ishnan helps detox and that is why it is paired so nicely with the oil that I make from violet leaves (known for its blood purifying attributes) and Rosemary (known for being an herb of remembrance) and Rose (known as a plant that reminds us of self love) infused organic olive oils.

Women in other countries have long practiced breast massage as part of their daily health regime and I feel that somehow I got the message that we are only to do a self exam for the sole purpose of looking for lumps. I designed a body oil as a way for women to connect to their bodies out of a true love and honoring instead of a fear based place.

Ishnan in the early morning and using breast oil are ways I am taking better care of my body. (By the way, a woman shared with me that hula-hooping and having the hoop move up and down your body over the breasts is yet another way to move lymph.)

I am realizing that more and more women are interested in knowing what they can do to love their bodies. Contact me to learn more about my herbal products, and visit me at the Boulder Farmer’s Market for a chat!