Sauna + Healing: My Time on the North Shore
The North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota might - scratch that - is one of the most beautiful parts of the planet that I’ve been able to experience. Autumn on the North Shore is truly nothing short of transformative. I think in the healing world we hear that a lot. Transformative. But what does that even mean when its only being used for marketing and promo. It isn’t something that exists in the mind as a strategy as a way to move forward but rather - what an environment like the North Shore teaches us - is that transformation is something you feel in the present moment. Nature. She is the one that teaches us transition.
My partner and I voyaged up state to Hovland, Minnesota to stay at a beautiful one-room nordic cabin with a sauna that sits just across the road from a dock on the Lake. Spending time cooking, hiking and connecting. Something that 2020 has seemed to bring forward. Examining our relationships and valuing the time when we do get to connect with one another. As well as the connection and relationship to self.
Hiking down to Devil’s Kettle was a burst of nature. Upon arriving in the state park, I was absolutely over the moon to get my first annual state park pass. Proudly, my little Prius sports this floral sticker. We parked and began onto our short but oxygenating hike. Through trees across rocks. Reminding me that there is so much more than sitting in one’s home during a pandemic. Nature can guide us out of our caves and deeper into ourselves.
That evening, we went down to the lake shore and filled two gallon jugs with cold, fresh water from Lake Superior. And, of course, immediately upon return to the cabin I excitedly lit the wood sauna with firewood and waited for the heat. Gathering my self-care tools, began a lymphatic clearing dry brush session while standing naked in a cabin where no one could see. Freedom. Following the dry brushing, I slathered on my Gold Moss Body oil for a quick self massage before grabbing my towel and eucalyptus oil and heading out to the sauna. But not before a couple drops of Iron Maven under my tongue. Similar to a flower remedy, Crystal tinctures are vibrational remedies. Since Iron Maven hold energy of jasper from the Iron Range, I thought it fitting to boost my experience.
My happy place. The feeling of accomplishment, relaxation and the elements. I sat in the sauna for about 10 minutes before going to see where my partner was. Hilariously, he does not do well in the heat and he only lasted about three minutes. But hey, that would be me in an ice bath. Or rather only a minute for me anything cryotherapy. I continued to sit enjoying every moment. Allowing the oil to sink deeper into my body. I had also applied shea butter to my tips and nasya oil to my nostrils to keep from allowing the dry heat to bother my breathwork. Soothing and melting away layers of unneeded protection, stress and anxiety trauma and allowed the dark evening to only be lit by the glow of the fire in the sauna stove.
After completing my session, I bet you can guess what happened with the Lake Superior water… poured the cold pure water over my body and it was HEAVEN. So I’m strongly encoraging everyone, no matter where you’re from, to make this trip. We stayed at Mokki by the Dock via AirBnB. Bring your self care tools and make it happen.
North Shore Sauna Protocol:
Dry brush full body (see my previous post on Beautifying Body for full how-to details)
Apply body oil of choice (I prefer my Gold Moss body oil or BLNCD Body Revival Oil w/ full spectrum cannabis)
Self Massage (au natural is ideal!)
Eucalyptus essential oil to add drops over the rocks or in water bucket
Have fresh cold lake water ready for the flash cool down post session, get that environment alignment!
Love you all, happy autumn.
Xx
Rachel
