MSU alum and owner of Hotwater Works, James McFarland, relaxes inside of a 116 degree soaking tub and breathes from an oxygen tank Tuesday, inside of the store located at 2116 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing. Natalie Kolb/The State News
Soaking in a 116-degree Japanese hot bath while breathing through an oxygen mask is normal for Hotwater Works Inc. owner and MSU alumnus James McFarland. He said the ritual helps relieve stress, remain healthy and detoxify his body.
“The relaxation response is huge because there’s so much stress in modern day life that we’re walking around like zombies,” he said. “When you soak, it soaks away that accumulation of stress which lodges … in your muscles and in your tissues.”
His health routine also includes flipping upside down for a few minutes.
“Flipping upside down switches the gravitational pull on your body and pulls the pollutants (in our feet) … back down and mixes it up so our body can discharge it,” McFarland said.
Beyond selling hot tubs and relaxing in steamy water, McFarland and his friend Julian Van Dyke paint together — which his rituals help him fully enjoy.
“Art doesn’t matter, music doesn’t matter, none of it matters unless you’re feeling good,” Van Dyke said.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
