What is a haramaki?

Hara (belly) Maki (wrap) – the idea comes from Japan, ours are made in the UK. A tube of soft, stretchy cotton that you pull on up to your middle. For all ages and unisex.

A haramaki is effectively a scarf  for your middle – you wear it under your clothes and it keeps the area warm. By wearing a haramaki around your middle you can keep your feet and hands warm – really! While I am sitting typing this my feet were feeling cold. Haramaki on and 20 minutes later I my toes are ok! It appears that when your internal organs and core are warm your body can afford to divert blood to your extremities. It’s also very good at creating comforting warm feelings should you be having period pains, back ache, kidney issues etc.

In Japan people wear Haramaki for a slightly different reason. Japanese tradition has it that if the temperature of the stomach is too cool your system will be out of balance and you will be more prone to get ill. This is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM holds that if your middle is cold kidney energy will drain from the system – and this not only puts you at risk of urinary health issues, it also lowers energy and vitality. Try one and see for yourself!