Queen of the Sangat
The exact practice and regiment to aging gracefully inside and out with Ruth Wolin.
In the winter between 2019 and 2020, I met Ruth Wolin. I’d been working on a feature story with a global fashion business publication that had the working title, “The Rise of the Enlightened Consumer.” The entire story concept, including the brands, businesses and wellness community trends to be featured — came to me during a meditation on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
For months I’d had my eye on the rapid rise of women joining the online kundalini and self-improvement community, BENSHEN, founded by Desirée Pais. It was absolute kismet when Desirée placed me in Ruth’s WhatsApp ‘pod’ (a group chat) to test out a month of the practices and community accountability strategies BENSHEN was becoming famous for.
From day one — it was clear to me, Ruth was Queen of the Sangat.
I can’t name another woman who is as self-motivated and reliable as my dear friend Ruth. There’s not a 40-day practice I haven’t known her to complete. Her radiance is powered by her steadfast discipline and unwavering endurance. Over the holidays, her auric presence was personally selected to be featured in the online marketing and social media content for To Be Magnetic by Lacy Philips.
To me, it’s Ruth’s international rolodex of past guru’s, teachers, mentors, and practitioners — a real who’s who of the Wellness world we know today — that tells the bigger story in the power of her aura. Through her ongoing quest to seek the deeper esoteric and mystical experiences of her own soul, she has built a reputation for ‘discovering’ the up-and-coming wellness and spiritual lifestyle pioneers before they reach the spotlight.
Today, for The Mothership, I asked Ruth to dispel the number one thing she’s asked about the most — her skin.
Here, in her own words, she shares with us her personal practice and routine — for ageless beauty both inside and out.
Enjoy!
— As told to The Mothership by Ruth Wolin.
“I began practicing Ashtanga Yoga at age 50. Before that it was mostly walking. I loved Ashatanga until my knee didn't love being behind my neck or in Lotus so much of the practice!
Then I discovered Kundalini yoga eight years ago. I began with a 3-minute practice of Ego Eradicator. Then later moved onto Gyan Chakra as my ‘have to’ and haven’t missed a day in eight years. Then my practice evolved.
My nowadays ‘have to's’ are Gyan (chakra), 6-minutes of Cat/Cow, 3-minutes of Breath of Fire and 3-minutes of Addiction Meditation. And there's always a strong Kriya for Elevation workout. I'm an Aries thru and thru and with strong Vata so I have to move my body...have to! I usually get hooked on one that is 45-minutes for months at a time, then another one shows up and I’m on that.
I was a serious hiker when I retired, I have a beautiful canyon near me. Then my right knee told me NO MORE. The down hills were no fun. So I rediscovered swimming which I had done for years, since a child. In California I loved ocean swimming. So I got back into it. Now I swim half a mile to a mile daily. I LOVE it. I chant a mantra the whole time and I honestly lose myself in time and space.
I finally had a full knee replacement in May and swimming has been the best rehab. Once our weather breaks 100 and I feel confident, I'll get back to the canyon. In Human Design , I am a Generator and our home is in Valleys, I miss the canyon a great deal.
As for 'spiritual' work. I do a bit of this, a bit of that... maybe more than a bit!
Kundalini without a doubt. I began studying Kabbalah almost two years ago and I find it is an excellent compliment to Kundalini.
I continue to learn more about Human Design and find it answers so many questions of whom I've always been and find comfort in knowing I wasn't such a weirdo as a kid! It’s definitely made a huge difference in communication with my son, by understanding his make up.
Oh and I discovered acupuncture when I had carpal tunnel on my right wrist. That was over 25-years- ago so that too is a staple in my routine. It saved me from serious menopause symptoms (My doctor was most impressed). I do it for general health, my knee now and simply connecting to my higher self. It's a game changer if you've never tried. I go every month to every six weeks. NO MATTER WHAT!
This is a little snip it of what I do to age gracefully. Maybe just to age well, more or less. The women on my mother's side had long and healthy lives. My mother was 99 when she passed, totally coherent. I Imagine I may surpass 100. So I 'd better stay on it!”
The Beauty Routine — “It's evolved over the years. Of course, with age, things change, in so many ways. As a teenager, I had pretty bad acne on my chin. Which in later years I learned was due to hormones and anger issues. Plus, prevalent in the 70's, I was on antibiotics and creams, drying the hell out of my skin. Now I chose to take care of problems from the inside out and keep my routine as minimal as possible. Don't get me wrong. I'm a sucker for a good product or recommendation from a trusted friend.
As I approach 70(!!) I care just as deeply as I did at 16, but with a different focus — Aging gracefully. I can honestly say much of the skin and health I have is due to strong ancestry. Russian, German and Hungarian. And my mother wore almost no make up and used Ponds to wash her face and Oil of Olay as a moisturizer. Passing at 99-years-old she had the smoothest skin. So let's not forget that!
SKINCARE
I wash with water. I have a Kangen water system which regulates the PH of water in the whole house. There is a PH for beauty water. That sold me in a second! Living in the desert, being able to moisturize with a spray of water has proved to be more than beneficial.
The two products I haven’t lived without for over seven years are Biologique Lotion P50V and the Masque Vivant. As they say... it’s a facelift in a bottle!
I use Living Libations Best Skin ever face oil for cleansing, moisturizing and for the sheer smell on my body.
I recently found Weleda's Skin food, which I love love love and Ursa Major's Golden Hour Recovery Cream. For me the smell is to die for and I’m all about smell! I use skin food or whatever and I will admit, I have very few fine lines and I realize I'm fortunate that I have no wrinkles (ancestors again!). As for eye cream — My skin doctor told me YEARS ago not to waste money on eye creams and I DON'T!!!!
For me, my neck shows my age so I've begun using red light therapy and castor oil wraps on my neck...Psychologically, it’s working. I guess that's all that matters!
MAKEUP
I am a total RMS user. I love the product — all of them and since Rose Marie is my age, that is a big selling point for me. I dont wear much. Her Super Natural Radiance Serum, lip2cheek for cheeks, lips and sometimes eyeshadow. I wear mascara only when I dress up. otherwise I put tallow on my lashes and curl them. Looks just fine by me!
FRAGRANCE
My favorite scent is Goutal Paris Rose Absolue. Not cheap so it’s a real treat to wear. I'm an absolute rose freak and if I can find a real rose scent in oil. Smoke Artisan Perfume has a lovely rose oil which I wear daily.”
Photos courtesy of To Be Magnetic. Collage by The Mothership.
Wow! I want to be Ruth when I grow up!