The Art of Bathing

At Upurea we love a good soak. In fact, we revel in it. It relaxes and melts away our tension, soothes our aches and pains, and comforts us when we feel unwell. We
recognize that the bath is a key element in taking great, personal care of ourselves, promoting not only our health but also glowing, gorgeous skin!

All of us at Upurea consider ourselves pro-bathers, but after our trip to Japan we
know better. We have been painstakingly introduced to the Art of Bathing, and now
we humbly share it with you!

In Japan, bathing is a cleansing of mass proportion: not only of the body, but the mind and soul as well. After a long, hard day at work, the bath becomes a place of familiar ritual; one sheds not only the clothing but the entire day, as well.

Most often public baths until very recently – mid-twentieth century – the bath is
still an integral part of every Japanese day. It begins by thoroughly cleansing the body before getting into the water; and ends with the most delicious feeling of complete renewal.

Before running any tub water, step into the shower first (trust us!). This is a great opportunity to scrub, lather, and get buff – try a scrub with salt, sugar, walnuts or loofah, or a grainy, invigorating mentholated soap. Rubbing in a slow, circular motion from hands and feet towards your heart removes dead skin cells, and
also promotes circulation. Use this time to also gently massage a shampoo into the scalp, or work in a deep conditioner.

Next rinse completely with warm – not hot! – water, and pat dry with a clean towel.

Now you’re ready for your bath! Bath salts and oils are a wonderful way to enhance
the bathing experience, delivering powerful aroma-therapeutic properties directly
to the nervous system. Add your oil or a salt-blend while running the bath water, and pay attention to the temperature – you want it hot, but not too hot. When full slip in and close your eyes. With each exhale, visualize the challenges of the day
leaving your body – we swear this works!

You may find that you sweat more than normal, which is a sign that all the scrubbing and massaging is working to remove toxins from your system. You’ll want to steep for at least 20 minutes. * Please bathe mindfully if pregnant or unwell. Certain herbs, essential oils and hot temperatures should never be taken by pregnant women; check with your physician if you wish to enjoy a long soak.

After your special bathing time, extend your relaxation by smoothing on a luxurious
lotion, wrapping up in a warm robe and enjoying a cup of tea. Optimally, you'll
float peacefully off to bed!

With a little extra time and attention, you too can truly immerse yourself in the quintessential Japanese experience. Rirakkusu!