Near
Infrared Sauna Therapy for Body, Mind and Spirit
by Michael Goldstein, Nutritionist and Detoxification Expert
For those of you continually looking to improve your
physical well-being and expand spiritually, near infrared saunas can be a wonderful
addition to your personal program. While saunas have always been an aid to
physical and spiritual development, near infrared saunas truly enhance the
traditional sauna effects and give you the maximum therapeutic potential for
body, mind and spirit. On each level,
physical, emotional, and spiritual, near infrared sauna therapy will help aid
your development.
What exactly is a near infrared sauna? A near
infrared sauna is an indoor electric sauna that uses near infrared heat lamps
for heat. Unlike its cousin, the far
infrared sauna, near infrared saunas use a range of light energy having profound
healing and regenerative effects at the cellular level. Natural sunlight is 37%
near infrared wavelengths and our bodies have evolved a photosynthetic like
response to this range of light. These specific wavelengths enhance cell
metabolism and the production of key structural proteins. Near infrared light penetrates deeply and
easily into the body where it enhances physical function and cellular
regeneration. The saunas also provide an effective and genuine light therapy
with the colors red, orange and yellow.
Combining this type of light therapy with sauna heat
has created a unique and wonderful healing tool that will give you deep and
lasting results. Saunas have
traditionally been used for ritual purification. Today, we need this more than
ever as our bodies are so polluted with heavy metals and toxic chemicals
prevalent in the air, water and food.
Near infrared saunas are dry, with no steam, to promote the most intense
sweating and detoxification. Detoxification through sweating spares the
liver and kidneys because all manner of toxins are just passed through the skin.
There is no enzymatic conversion by the liver and no filtering by the kidneys. Its detoxification, pure and simple, and it’s
absolutely crucial for physical health in today’s world.
The powerful combination of light and heat can help
heal virtually any physical health condition. Near infrared sauna use yields
anti-inflammatory pain relief, cardio conditioning, enhanced circulation,
lowered blood pressure, anti-aging skin
regeneration, increased energy levels, improved immune function and improved
muscle tone. We must not overlook the importance of a strong physical body on
our spiritual journey. Even though we
are spiritual beings, it is extremely difficult to do our healing work in the
physical world if our own bodies are ill or weak.
Emotional balance is also essential to our spiritual
development. It’s tough to act compassionate and loving to other when we
ourselves are feeling anger or fear. A
near infrared sauna offers unique help.
Regular use is a powerful stimulant to circulation. Physically, the
light wavelengths enhance the production of nitric oxide which expands and
dilates blood vessels. Our natural response to heat is to further enhance
circulation as a means to dissipate heat at the skin surface. Regular use
improves cardiac function and powerfully decongests the internal organs,
especially the kidneys and liver, all while toning the heart. Any internal
congestion in these organs can create disruptive emotions. In Chinese medicine
the kidneys rule fear, the liver rules anger, and the heart is the home of a
calm spirit. Keeping the energy free
flowing through these organ systems helps maintain emotional harmony. Even more
important to our development, is that a physical clearing of these organs
greatly assists our cells in releasing stored emotional toxins.
Deeply held emotional hurts and traumas manifest over
time into physical diseases. Their resolution takes great courage and hard work. A near infrared sauna can assist you on this
process in so many ways. Total detoxification and enhancements in internal
circulation will help all these processes move more smoothly. The sauna heat lamps also supply light
therapy in the colors red, orange and yellow. These wavelengths help purify the
emotional body while exerting a grounding, stabilizing effect on the lower
energy centers.
All of these benefits combine to aid in your
spiritual development. Of course,
purification has traditionally been a part of spiritual practices. In modern
times, the need is ever greater. The toxic soup of environmental contaminants
we live hinders human development, awareness and growing consciousness. When we
sweat it out in the sauna, we get physical healing, it helps our emotional
healing and makes it easier to grow spiritually.
Above and beyond, near infrared sauna use is a gift
we give ourselves. It is time out of
every day to sit quietly and relax. It
is an opportunity for and an action of self-care and self-love. It is gentle
yet powerful, relaxing yet energizing, both restorative and
transformative. It reminds us that in
order to share our gifts with the world, we must first care for ourselves. As we seek to fulfill our spiritual mission
in the physical world, let us remember that the stronger our body, the more
able we are to give to others.