The more you think, the tighter your face becomes. Give it a try now. Place your mind’s attention on the skin and regions around your face. Does it feel tight or tense anywhere… or perhaps everywhere? For almost all people, the answer is yes. Now, take a moment to inhale deeply, slowly, in through the nose, moving only the stomach as you breathe in, then slowly, deliberately exhale, contracting the stomach and releasing air through the nose. Do this for a few rounds. And then place your attention back on the face. How does it feel? Usually, the answer is something along the lines of “lighter”. The reason for this is, prior to the breathing exercise, you were thinking, thinking, thinking. During the exercise, and for a brief moment afterward, you were in the present moment, and thought was taking a breather. Thought tends to show itself in the character of our face. And one of the ways we can slow down thought and tension, in the comfort of our homes, is by relieving the tension in our faces through harnessing steam, breathing and the aroma of herbs.
Method
• Use freshly boiled water
• Add 2-3 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers, allow a few minutes to infuse
• Let the infusion cool for 30 sec before steaming or maintain a light simmering heat underneath the pot (with caution)
• Keep face 25–30 cm (10–12 inches) above steam, with a towel over the head, and feel comfortable to adjust the distance so as to keep a gentle heat on the skin, yet never too hot.
• Steam 5–10 min total, in 30-60 sec increments with a 30 sec pause
• Focus on rhythmic, slow breathing and feeling the sensation of the aroma and light heat on your skin and entering your body.
We prefer to use fresh chamomile for this practice because it is energetically anti-inflammatory and calming for the nervous system. Other herbs you may consider using in combination with chamomile or on their own include lavender, calendula and rose.
You may notice other effects during or after this practice, and it is important to exercise a mindful approach if issues arise. Warm humid air causes vasodilation (blood vessels widen), which can lower blood pressure and while this is the process for tension relief, it may also lead to a sense of dizziness and lightheadedness particularly in individuals carrying excess tension. Additionally, people sometimes breathe more quickly or deeply during the steam inhalation—especially if they’re congested or anxious— and it is important to consciously aim to maintain a rhythmic and steady breathing pattern (if preferred, practice this before the steaming).