May 5, 2022, the islands enter their rainy season. The ending is forecast to be by end of June. That's hardly any freedom for outdoor activities but I did try walking in the drizzle and ended with a running nose, watery eyes, and tiredness with a cough. Maybe I was already tired and still braved myself to walk in the wet and cold weather. Needed some cold prescription and a week of rest for that though.
Hot stone bath, Bedrock bath
The best form of indoor exercise during this rainy season is the hot-pool bath and bedrock bath. Before I used to like the hot-pool bath but I found out that with so many people around, there's not much space for privacy. This year, I started going to bedrock baths. I like the dark and quiet surroundings, the relaxing music and most of all, I forget everything while laying on the hot stone.
When the bedrock is heated up, it releases far-infrared rays. Some people believe the benefits of bedrock baths include detoxification, weight loss, improved circulation, and even reduced cholesterol. While some of my other friends swear of shrunken pores, a glowing complexion, and a feeling of total abandonment.
Though ganbanyoku (called in Japanese) is sometimes referred to as bedrock bathing, the thing is there is no water involved. Actually, you are bathing in sweat, produced while laying on the rock. Though you need lots of water to replenish the lost perspiration.
We are given spa bathrobes and lie on slabs of black silica, granite and other stones that are said to emit minus ions and possess other healing qualities. Trust me the stones are really hot, heated to between 40 and 50ºC. After about 15 minutes, it is recommended to take a break in the cool-down room before repeating the cycle but I can handle 25 minutes per session. Most people do between 3-5 cycles per session.
Extract from Wiki Definition[edit]
Bedrock is the solid rock that underlies looser surface material.[1] An exposed portion of bedrock is often called an outcrop.[2] The various kinds of broken and weathered rock material, such as soil and subsoil, that may overlie the bedrock are known as regolith.[3][4]
Haiku
Laying on hot-rock
my body is light as drizzles
that darkens May's sky.
