By Emily Hudson
I’ve decided to do something about the surface level things that have a bit distracting to me during my yoga practice lately. It may sound silly, but I’m talking about a mani, pedi, hair mask, and exfo. Some yogis would say that they can’t believe thoughts about how my skin, hair, and nails look would distract a yogi during practice, but I’m one of those who for some reason or another just cares. You name the spa treatment, it’s happening today.
Not that anyone needs justification for showing the body some love, but let me just say that these treatments are reflective of yoga in many ways. They allow for metamorphosis, renewal of the self, detox, personal growth, and cultivation of connectedness with your spirit. Think of butterflies, flowers, serpents, diamonds, and ocean waves… there are so many beautiful reminders in nature as well that exemplify the beauty and importance of transformation.
Seeing as an actual spa day in Santa Monica would require that I stop eating, become a homeless person, and give up my yoga membership, it’s simply never going to happen. I’m all about saving a pretty penny or two. So, how about some all-natural, ultra-easy, at-home yogi spa day recipes? From head to toe, this DIY project will be accomplished using the very few ingredients I currently have on hand… sans my potato chips and Thai food leftovers, of course. I was able to find all of these simple recipes online.
HAIR MASK
- 1.5 Tbsp Organic Honey
- 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1.5 Tbsp Plain Yogurt
Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Gently brush out hair, and apply generously to the scalp, and ends. Massage into scalp, and wrap up with a bag to keep the heat inside. Keep on as long as possible, but at least 1 hour. Then wash out with shampoo, and condition hair.
FACE CLEANSER
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Baking Soda
- A few drops of water
Combine honey and baking soda in your palm. Rub them together with a few drops of water and then massage gently in circular motions on your face. Then rinse!
FACE MASK
- 1 Tablespoon Pure Virgin Coconut Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Raw Honey
- 2 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
Mix the three ingredients in a small bowl. Once mixed, apply the mask on freshly washed face and leave for 20-30 minutes. Once the time is up, rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel and apply an oil-free moisturizer to retain the skin’s moisture.
BODY SCRUB
- 1/2 C of Organic Cane Sugar
- 1/3 C of Organic Sea Salt
- 1 C of Coconut Oil {best when it has a liquid consistency}
- 30 Drops of Essential Oil
Mix the ingredients together in the order listed above, topping it off with coconut oil {add more coconut oil if you like it less dry}. Then, add essential oil and stir with a butter knife. While in the shower, rub the mixture on your skin to exfoliate until ideal skin softness is achieved, then rinse! Tip-the coconut oil may go back to a more solid form, add 1/4 cup of almond oil to create a liquid consistency again or more coconut oil.
HAND & FOOT SCRUB
- 1/2 C Sugar
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Aloe
Mix sugar, olive oil, and aloe in a bowl or other container until fully blended (no chunks). Apply the mixture to your hands and feet rubbing in a circular motion until you feel that you have achieved your ideal skin softness or until the sugar dissolves. Rinse your hands with water until you can no longer feel the grains of sugar. Towel dry and apply your favorite lotion if you wish.
RESULTS
I woke up this morning looking and feeling like a less energetic version of Cindy Loo Hoo. Post-spa treatments, I felt like at least $1,000,000 (having spent $0 and never having left the house. WIN!). Always keep in mind that spending time on yourself is worth a lot. Take the introversion time you need. Meditate. Relax. Reflect… Or don’t! Zoning out is important too. From one yogi to another, you never need a reason to treat yo self. Go forth, yogi. Make like nature, and renew.
