Where Did The Fashion To Stand On Nails Come From? Since the Europeans got acquainted with oriental cultures, interest in them has not gone away, and the fashion for the exotic East may weaken for a while but never ends. At the peak is yoga, then martial arts, then Buddhism, then Ayurveda, then Chinese medicine or Tibetan secret knowledge. In 2021, interest in the so-called “samadhi boards” studded with sharp nails and designed to stand on them with bare feet began to grow rapidly in Russia. Why do this, what benefits it can bring, and what harm, read in the new MedAboutMe material.
Nailing: Fashion To Stand On Nails An Old Practice In A New Way
If you dig a little on the Internet, asking for information about nailing, you will find out a curious detail: a surge of interest in standing on nails in recent years has occurred only in Russia. Which in itself suggests that this is just someone’s successful startup. Someone sells courses “How to become rich without Getting up from the Couch”, and someone sells boards with nails. Nothing personal just business. And the ability to sell an idea well, no matter what it is. And samadhi boards have an excellent base.
The procedure of standing, sitting, and lying on nails came from ancient Indian yogic and Buddhist practices, where it was used to heal the soul and body by establishing a connection between a person and the highest divine principle. The annals contain information that some enlightened masters could lie on beds of nails for months, some used them for sleeping, while others only sat on thorns – both during meditation and in everyday life, if they had one in principle.
But New Times Require A New Filling With The Meaning Of The Old Concepts.
Today in Russia, people are invited to nailing sessions in different ways – so that for each of the groups there is something attractive. Those inclined to esotericism are invited to “clear the energy channels, restore the balance of vital energies.” More skeptics may be attracted not by a mystical “spiritual experience”, but by an unconventional method of working through psychological problems. For those who suffer from physical pain, they promise to get rid of it by “removing clamps and tension”, as well as “starting the healing processes with the natural forces of the body.”
The impact of sharp nails on the feet is equated with acupuncture sessions and is referred to as reflexology.
How does it work?
For nailing, they use both boards made according to classical patterns – from wood and various metals, as well as quite modern plastic ones. There are options not with metal, but with wooden points. But the essence is the same: at the base, there are sharp nails in a checkerboard pattern, on which it is proposed to stand.
Contrary to fears, this is a relatively harmless act. The weight of a person extends to all points that fall under the foot, as a result, the skin is not pierced, and injuries do not occur if certain rules are not violated. Deep dents form on the lower surface of the foot, but nothing more.
This does not mean at all that standing on dozens of sharp nails does not hurt: it hurts, how much more. But this is precisely the point of the procedure.
If you stand correctly and breathe as instructors recommend, then after a while, the pain becomes dull. But she will return when the session is over, and you just need to step on the floor. And this, too, will have to endure.
But during that time between pain relief and the end of the session, people may experience unusual sensations. Someone may begin to sob, others scream, others laugh, or plunge into a trance. Almost everyone after the procedure feels a powerful surge of energy. Some note a certain “shift in consciousness”, which allows them to take a fresh look at many problems and aspects of life, set priorities differently, and reassess life values. Others, with the help of a board with nails, get rid of back pain or other symptoms that cause discomfort for a while.
To what extent can such statements be trusted? What does medicine say about samadhi boards?
In The Framework Of Evidence-Based Medicine
Since the existence of certain vital energies, meridians, and channels through which it moves in the body has not yet been confirmed by science, everything connected with them will remain outside the scope of this article.
In addition, there is still no clear scientific evidence that acupuncture has the effect that is attributed to it. A number of scientific studies have shown that its effectiveness is greatly exaggerated. For example, in some experiments, it was proved that patients responded equally to accepted acupuncture methods and to actions that only imitated them, but were performed using the “unscientific poke” method, that is, at random.
In 2010, the journal Maturitas published the result of an analysis of a number of studies on the effectiveness of reflexology and acupuncture. 23 papers related to a wide range of diseases were reviewed. A significant part of them was unsatisfactory in terms of methodology. 5 studies confirmed the positive effect of the use of reflexology, and 9 – had a negative result. On the basis of this, it was concluded that Reflexotherapy is not effective as a means of treatment in general.
However, there are also studies confirming the ability of acupuncture to affect the nervous system.
For example, it can work like any other pain, in response to which the brain releases endorphins – natural painkillers. That is why instructors recommend not jumping off the board too quickly and waiting until the endorphin effect appears. This can really relieve for some time not only the pain in the feet, into which dozens of nails dig, but also pain in other parts of the body. “Distracting” remedies for pain work in much the same way.
But adherents of nailing promise much more, from normalizing blood pressure and sugar levels in diabetes to eliminating allergies and the consequences of a stroke. And here again, it is worth recalling that the therapeutic effects of acupuncture do not have convincing and unambiguous evidence.
But there are contraindications to such procedures.
Contraindications For Nailing
There are quite a few of them and of very different plans.
Do not stand on boards with nails at any stage of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
It is categorically unacceptable to experiment with samadhi boards for epilepsy. You should be extremely careful with diabetes mellitus, and you should especially take care of your legs so as not to get a ” diabetic foot “.
You should not stand on your nails if you have a tendency to hypertension, varicose veins, or mental illness. You can not stand on the samadhi boards during acute respiratory diseases, at elevated temperatures, while intoxicated with alcohol, or under the influence of psychoactive substances. The procedure is prohibited after a recent stroke or heart attack, after operations, or after fractures of the limbs. An obstacle to getting a “thrill” should also be any violation of the integrity of the skin on the feet, otherwise, you can bring an infection with unpredictable consequences.
You should also not try to use self-made boards if you really want to try – buy a quality one, and with a lot of nails. For beginners, boards with a distance between the tips of no more than 7-8 mm are needed. You should also not try to immediately surpass all records: the first few times the session should not exceed 1-2 minutes.
Pros:
- Unique and eye-catching fashion trend.
- Allows for artistic expression and creativity.
- Can be a conversation starter and attention-grabbing.
- Offers a wide range of design possibilities.
- Can complement and enhance the overall style.
Cons:
- Requires regular maintenance and touch-ups.
- May limit functionality in certain activities.
- Can be costly, especially for intricate designs.
- May cause damage to natural nails if not done properly.
- Some workplaces and professions may have restrictions on nail art.
FAQs:
What is the origin of the trend to stand on nails in fashion?
The trend originated from the performance art of “bed of nails” in ancient India.
How did standing on nails become a fashion statement?
The practice was popularized by sideshow performers in the late 19th century.
Is standing on nails safe for the human body?
When done correctly with proper training and precautions, standing on nails can be safe.
Are there any cultural or symbolic meanings associated with standing on nails?
In some cultures, it symbolizes endurance, spirituality, or the ability to overcome pain.
Are there any health benefits or therapeutic effects of standing on nails?
Some practitioners believe it can promote relaxation, improve circulation, and relieve stress, but scientific evidence is limited.
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By the way, the record for the duration of standing on nails belongs to a Russian and exceeds 11 hours. Unfortunately, it is not known what the meaning of this record was.
Why is nailing so popular?
Experiencing unusual sensations can help people get rid of “clamps”, both muscular and emotional. Standing on the nails is one of the ways to get that feeling and loosen up. If you follow the safety rules and good health – why not try it? But don’t expect miracles. Visit Our Site