Sea treatments: relaxation in spa style

Protection: for hair and skin

This is the very first gesture of beauty and care that is worth learning when going on vacation to the coast. After all, there we expose our hair to the action of three traditional enemies: the sun, salt and wind. If our goal is to get only the benefits of the sun, water and fresh air, it is worth taking care to purchase sunscreens, and not only for the skin, but also for the hair. Natural protection for hair – natural argan oil (you can buy it in supermarkets or natural cosmetics stores), which is obtained from the bones of the “iron tree”. Spread two tablespoons of the oil* evenly through the hair using a wide-toothed wooden comb, and, without rinsing, twist the hair into a knot until evening.

Meditation: breathing water

Fix your presence here and now – in your body and in the present moment. This newfound oneness with the reality of the moment is the key to inner peace. Choose a place where you will be in contact with the sea. Sit comfortably, put your hands on your knees, palms up, as a sign of the union of earth and sky. Close your eyes, relax your jaw muscles, lower your shoulders, relax your hips and stomach muscles, then take a deep, slow breath. Exhale even more slowly through your nose. Try to coordinate the rhythm of breathing with the movement of the waves.

Gradually immerse yourself in bliss: feel the breeze on your skin, the warmth of the sun, the freshness of the near water … Having caught the tension in your body, again relax your jaw, stomach and “release” your shoulders. Listen carefully: the sound of the waves, the sounds, voices and laughter carried by the wind… Continue until you feel that you are almost dissolving in the world around you, becoming part of the sea, sun and wind.

Chakras: balance

According to the Ayurvedic tradition, we have seven energetically important centers – chakras, located between the pubis and the top of the head. Their proper functioning ensures our physical and mental health. Stock up on seven round and smooth pebbles heated in the sun. Before activating your energy centers, take at least twenty minutes to relax in the shade: after eating, our life energy chi is mobilized to facilitate the process of digestion.

After resting, lie on your back and place seven pebbles on your body according to our chakra map. Then close your eyes and concentrate, breathing calmly and deeply. Feel the weight of each stone and imagine that it glows as it spins clockwise around its axis. Give each chakra at least three minutes.

Chakra map

First chakra (muladhara): on the forehead. This root chakra is associated with our instinct for self-preservation, with a sense of security and stability in the material world.

Second chakra (svadhisthana): three centimeters below the navel. Associated with emotions, sexuality and creativity.

Third chakra (manipura): between the umbilicus and the sternum. It is associated with self-determination, consciousness and self-affirmation.

Fourth chakra (anahata): center of the chest, at the level of the heart. This heart chakra is associated with love, compassion, as well as accumulated unlived emotions throughout life.

Fifth chakra (vishuddha): at the base of the neck, throat area. The throat chakra is associated with verbal communication and our ability to express ourselves.

Sixth chakra (ajna): between the eyebrows. The third eye chakra is associated with our ability to foresee and anticipate events.

Seventh chakra (sahasrara): top of the head. This coronary chakra is associated with the liberation of one’s “I”, with knowledge and unity with the entire Universe.

Break: have a tasty snack

Eating a light lunch in the shade, in nature, admiring the play of the sun and water and enjoying the pure taste of the simplest, natural products, you can turn lunch into a real gourmet meditation. Advice from Dr. Laurent Chevallier, Nutritionist: Choose bright red and orange fruits and vegetables because they are the highest in beta-carotene (this is the “attractiveness” pigment that naturally improves complexion and protects skin cells from free radicals). Dark bran bread, juicy tomatoes and soft goat cheese are the perfect combination for a beach lunch. To quench your thirst and make up for the lack of antioxidants – a thermos with cold green tea. Highly mineralized water from natural sources such as Essentuki is also suitable: with sweat in the heat, we lose mineral salts.

Exfoliation: sand and jasmine

Gently refreshing your skin on the beach by soaking your feet in the water is certainly more sensual pleasure than exfoliating in your own bath. The advantage of marine gommage is the combination of the abrasive action of sand and the nourishing properties of argan oil, which improves skin regeneration. Mix five drops of jasmine oil or a handful of fresh jasmine flowers with a little sand right in your palms and add some argan oil. (You can replace the argan with a mixture of castor and burdock oils, or use a special sunscreen for hair (for example, Dior Bronze Gelee de Monoi – a moisturizing jelly for skin and hair with monoi oil). Massage the cleaned areas in a circular motion: knees, feet, elbows – they will become as smooth as pebbles.Then let the waves massage you in. And don’t forget to generously apply sunscreen to your face and body.

Muscles: the pleasure of movement

Hedonists are well aware that the real pleasure lies in variety. There is nothing more pleasant than to alternate rest with physical activity … Now, when the body is filled with bubbling energy, use it to give work to the muscles and activate blood circulation.

First exercise: muscles of the waist, buttocks and thighs. Position: standing waist-deep in water, hands on hips. Start with a deep breath. Movement: perform a series of 20 swings with a straight leg, first forward, then to the side, and finally back. The supporting leg is strictly straight, the torso and neck are straightened. After swinging first with one, then with the other leg, stand in the starting position, then raise and lower the right and left legs in turn (knee as high as possible to the chest). The rhythm is preferably slow in order to effectively affect the muscles.

Second exercise: muscles of the chest, shoulders and arms. Position: standing in the water up to the shoulders, legs straight and wide apart (to maintain balance in the waves), back and neck straight. Movement: extend your arms in front of you and join your palms, then while inhaling, slowly spread your arms to the sides and again slowly join your palms in front of you (10 times). Do the same exercise, joining your palms above your head (10 times). Start again with your hands in front of you (10 times). Bonus for reducing the waist: stretch your arms forward, put your palms together; rotate the torso and arms (left and right), slightly lifting the opposite heel.

Gratitude: to the world around and … to yourself

At first we gently entered into close contact with the sea, sand and air – now the moment has come to complete it and return to ordinary life.

Release your hair, exposing it to the wind, then, standing still, facing the sea, take a few breaths and exhalations – calm and without effort. Start walking along the edge of the surf – from your heel to plant your foot steadily, rolling your weight onto your toe across the entire surface of the foot. The arms swing freely, the jaw muscles are relaxed, the shoulders are lowered, the back is straight.

Concentrate on physical sensations – wind on the skin and in the hair, sand and water on the feet. Then direct your attention to the quality of the light, to the variety of sounds that surround you, and to the landscape that unfolds before you. Try practicing the so-called smile yoga: alone with yourself, just smile as a token of gratitude for life. To thank your living, breathing body, light, water, air and heat …