Blue Hammam

The sun is setting behind the walls of our blue hammam. The hanging lights in the courtyard flicker to life and illuminate the midnight blue tiles covering the building, as the ambient light fades away. From the outside, the hammam's stone gates may seem nondescript. Yet once inside the courtyard, it is a place of quiet beauty. The courtyard hums with relaxation. People lounge on an array of pillows and low sofas. The velvet is worn with age, but somehow still plush and inviting. The smell of fragrant oils, peppermint, jasmine, citrus, drifts out enticingly from the main bath house. Attendants pass by regularly with steaming cups of apple tea to help relax the body, and ease patrons into a sense of tranquility before their bath. Inside the hammam an ornate glass stone scatters the last rays of light across the water. In the corner of the room is a large ornate fountain, this has been filled with warm water. The fountain's age shows in the patinated bronze, now turned turquoise by years of flowing water. Roses float lazily along the water's surface, drifting and gathering weightlessly alongside the bathers. I've known of this hammam and its wonders for years. And tonight, with great joy, I will tell you about them. However, before I do, I think it's nice to begin with a little wind down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So, when you're ready, let's begin. So first get yourself comfortable. Now, just bringing the attention to the breath. Just noticing where you feel it. In the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You are nice and relaxed. We're going to be taking a deep breath in for four, hold it for four, and then breathing out for six. So, are you ready? Let's begin in for four, two, three, four. Hold it for four, two, three, four. Now breathing out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. Great. Now, returning the breath to normal. Entering the central chamber of the hammam, you are struck by its weathered grandeur. A large door above you displays an expanse of dove gray marble and rich, blue tiles. The soft arches below it, upraised by smooth pillars laminated in water droplets, set into motion with the grace of your fingertips. The patterned tiles pair a geometric design that echoes across the vaulted atrium from one wall to another. It is a dazzling microcosm of cobalt blue, golden rod, cream and black. The hammam hums with gentle activity all contained underneath this relaxing and worn design. Covering the benches and the raised walls around the path is another...