The Danish wellness pioneer’s original morning routine

Movement, sunlight, towel rubbing, breathing exercises and cold baths are today considered quite common elements in wellness but at the turn of the 20th century this wasn’t common knowledge. In 1904, the Danish wellness pioneer, Jørgen Peter Müller, published his bestselling book ‘My System’ which became a bodily, modern breakthrough all over the world, breaking with the otherwise introverted corporeality.

____________

A new way of wellness was underway. Müller was the most famous Dane next to the famous fairy tale author H. C. Andersen. The bestselling book ended up being such a massive success that the modernization of this body spirit meant that Müller was forgotten a few decades later.

Müller was ahead of his time: his new, free-spirited body culture included, as something new, also women, he was a pioneer in the sexual revolution, and he had a special fondness for toweling because of its physical, mental and skincare benefits, which has a major focus in 'My System'.

‘My System' - a complete morning ritual

In 'My System', Müller promises that his daily 15-minute ritual can significantly improve health. Essentially, the system consists of sweat-inducing, gymnastic exercises, which must be performed in the fresh air, preferably with as little clothing on as possible, then an outdoor cold water bath, followed by toweling the whole body in combination with breathing exercises and, finally, firm pressure on the body with the palms - studies indicate that all these elements help to trigger the love, hormone oxytocin.

Müller was a pioneer who understood the importance of physical touch and making time for ones health. In addition, he argues for good hygiene, fresh air and ventilation, eight hours of sleep and a healthy diet. It is hard to understand that all this was not a matter of course back then.

The skin’s important factor in The System

It is exactly the skin that Müller is particularly concerned with, as he describes that the skin has been a missing key element in wellness:

“In all former systems, the skin has been untended. Nonetheless, I will state that when a human being can devote a quarter of their day to practical corporeality, a bath in the outdoors, followed by rubbing, is most substantial.”

Müller touches upon many of the benefits we know about exfoliation. Principles we feel very inspired by when we communicate all the benefits of making dry brushing a regular ritual. In favour of the body:

“The bath and the rubbing must serve as skin gymnastics, to affect the capillaries and nerves of the skin and make it healthy, strong and resilient, which has the greatest importance for the health of the entire body. It can be said that both the good and the bad treatment of the skin immediately affects the general condition of a person. The skin is not solely a tight coting on the body, but in itself one of the most important organs, with which we feel and partially breathe, which we use to regulate our body heat and to secrete harmful substances.”

But he also touches upon the benefits the rubbing has on the appearance of the skin:

“If you have used the system for some time, the skin will completely change character; it will become smooth and velvety, yet strong and elastic, without papulas, spots, carbuncles or other deformities.”

And last but not least, he emphasizes the addicting effect it has on the mind and overall well-being:

“Filled with astonishment and joy at the rewarding sensation that constantly flows through the body. The saying about the small cause and the big effect really fits here!”

We are pretty sure that Müller would have loved our dry brushes which makes exfoliating much easier and effective. Albeit “My System” is exactly that; a systematic review of a (healthwise correct) morning routine, the most essential thing for Müller's contemporary wellness resonance, is that it has a self-loving connotation as he describes the body as “a temple of love”.
And as he asks us:

“Is it a sin to enjoy one's own creation, to feel how magnificent, how lovely, one has been created, to feel despair at not being able to daily let one's lover enjoy this glory, yes admittedly, I do sin daily.“

Our answer is: same!
If grabbing your dry brush means to sin, yes admittedly, we do love to sin.

Grab your brush

[collection1]