'As you start to walk on the way, the way appears' (Rumi)
DETOX
Ayurveda believes that a periodic resetting or detoxing the body and mind reduces the risk of falling sick literally with any disease.
The ancient people knew that after the age of 50 everyone should undergo a total cleansing and rejuvenation of the body, mind and spirit once a year. As we eat often not so healthy food, breathe polluted air and produce not necessarily only positive thoughts, the thousands of physical and non-physical channels in the body gradually clog up. The nutrient and energy flow is not optimal and we begin to feel physical discomfort. If we ignore these first signs, eventually the disbalance grows into disease.
WHAT IS A DETOX
In the 21st century we are constantly bombarded with (junk-) food, chemicals and sensory impressions in a form of a busy professional and private agendas, as well as a constant flow of visual information on screens. Purifying the body and resetting the mind at least once a year is more topical than ever. The traditional, safe and gentle Ayurvedic Detox Program that I offer is derived from Panchkarma – a total rejuvenation of body and mind.
You follow this CUSTOMIZED DETOX PROGRAM of 2 weeks in the comfort of your home instead of 6-8 weeks in an Ayurvedic hospital. It takes less time and energy investment and is therefore easier to fit in our often busy lifestyle. I do a detox myself regularly twice a year.
Two weeks are enough to see amazing improvements in your digestion capacity, energy levels, resistance to seasonal viruses and spring allergies, overall immunity, weight and glow of skin and eyes. Participants report disappearance of physical discomforts, aches and pains and even a reduced need to take certain prescription medicines.
Phases of the detox program
Phase 1
moving in the detox mode. It lasts one week, during which you gradually wean yourself off of heavy to digest, processed and addictive foods like meat, pre-cooked supermarket food, coffee etc. Although this phase has a beginning and end, you can do it at your own pace and according to your preferences. I support you with handy tips on how.
Phase 2
the active detox phase. It lasts three days, usually Friday, Saturday, Sunday, during which you sustain your body with a delicious, nutritious and easy to digest Ayurvedic meal Kitchari and a herbal tea formula that addresses the needs of your unique body-mind constitution. You are never hungry during this phase, and the daily routine and food cleanses and heals you. You are encouraged to reduce any mental input (visual, audial information) as much as possible during this phase.
Phase 3
moving out. It lasts one week. You gradually return to your favorite foods and daily tasks. It is also the opportunity to notice and interpret the signals that your body sends you as you reintroduce these foods. Sometimes all of a sudden you will clearly know which food or habit is not good for you. It is your body’s awakened intelligence. Listening to it is the first step to introducing new habits for a healthier lifestyle and a more vibrant you. Just like many participants, you might find out that you enjoy this new lifestyle so much that you extend the third phase beyond the end date of this detox.
HOW IS THIS PROGRAM CUSTOMIZED
You will receive detailed guidelines with the ideal daily detox routine. However, one size does not fit all, and these guidelines should not be taken as a rule. We have different family situations, workload, physical build, mental resilience and past experiences. You will be invited to an intake where I will consider all these factors. Depending on your unique situation you will receive recommendations about diet, daily routine and Ayurvedic herbs that fit you the best to ensure that this detox brings you energy, glow and inspiration to live your full potential.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A DETOX
Winter is the time of hibernation – less movement and often bulkier and heavier food choices. Our energy is lower, and food might be digested less optimal. According to Ayurveda, these are all factors contributing to accumulation of toxins in tissues.
Spring is the time when the Sun returns and starts to melt ice and warm up the soil inviting nature to wake up.
The same happens in our bodies – slime, excess fat and sluggishness accumulated in tissues during the cold winter months are melted away by the Sun’s powerful energy. Following a detox routine in spring for a couple of weeks supports this process of melting and expelling the built-up “sludge”.
Autumn is another junction of two extremes – the summer heat and freezing winter temperatures. It is the time when the five elements – space, wind, fire, water and earth – rearrange searching for a new balance. In Ayurveda it is said that the elements “go crazy”. The bright October sunshine is replaced by showers of rain which are again replaced by sunshine in just an hour’s time. The morning hours are crisp, while the temperature in late afternoon is inviting you to wear a T-shirt.
In order to tame the elements in our body and to make sure the intense, sudden shifts in nature don’t make us land in the sick-bed, slowing down and giving our body time to integrate these seasonal shifts is the key to strong health. It is also a way to enhance our immunity ahead of the long winter months. This is why autumn is the second best time to do a detox.
When we slow down, or even stop altogether, the constant flow of physical (i.e. food) and mental (i.e. impressions) input, we give ourselves a window of opportunity to process and expel the residue, be it undigested food or unresolved emotions and difficult experiences, that blocks our vitality and flow of energy. After a detox nutrients can reach and nourish every cell again.
Energy flows freely. The mind can think clearly. Senses are sharp. Some participants call this experience addictive 🙂
Read participant’s experiences about the program HERE.
WHO SHOULD DETOX
The theory of Ayurveda maintains that unless our body channels are open and clean, taking medicine is of no use – only intestines with no slime and undigested food on its walls can fully absorb medicine, be it Western medicine or Ayurvedic herbal preparations. Only unclogged blood vessels can carry all vital nutrients to our heart, brain, muscles and bones.
Mental toxins have an equally important role in health – only with a mind free from grudge, old traumas and pain can you create a life you dream of.
If
– you notice you catch viruses too often
– your digestion and elimination often give you a hard time
– your sleep quality is compromised
– your energy is low and you often feel tired during the day
– your body weight bothers you
– you miss enthusiasm and clarity of thought
– you believe that prevention is easier (and cheaper!) than cure,
then this Detox Program is for you!
The absolutely best time to follow a detox for health maintenance is spring. The second most favorable time of the year to detox yourself is autumn. I offer my customized DETOX PROGRAM twice a year, in March/April and September/October.
Private sessions at other times are possible.
Ready for healthier lifestyle choices but don’t know where to start? Go HERE.
DO YOU HAVE TOXINS?
This is an indicative list of questions for you to see if your body and mind need a break and you should do a detox.
Answer the questions on the scale of 0 to 3 with ‘0’ meaning you don’t experience the symptom at all and ‘3’ meaning you experience the symptom intensely/often.
Some questions are in positive e.g. “Are you clear in your head after waking up?”. If you are, you should rate your answer with a “0” (being “unclear/foggy in your head” would mean you have toxins). The questions that are in positive are marked with “P”.
The maximum score is 63 points. The higher the score, the more it implies that choosing for a periodic detox is a good idea.
1. Do you have excess fat in your body (overweight or obese)?
2. Do you feel blocked in your body? (your wake-up call should not be the alarm clock, instead it’s a sensation to go to the toilet first thing in the morning)
3. (P) Are you clear in your head after some time of waking up in the morning?
4. (P) Are you breathing with both nostrils equally? (the Sun and Moon channels should work equally which means there is a thermo balance in the body)
5. After sitting, do you take more time to stand up than you used to take before/some time ago?
6. Do you often have sputum?
7. Do you have your meals because it’s meal time without feeling grumbling in your stomach (having natural hunger)?
8. (P) In women – do you have regular menstruation (28-30 days and 3-4 days flow)? A little bit of premenstruation symptoms are ok, meaning you feel you are going to menstruate.
9. (P) Is your stomach soft to the touch (i.e. no tightness or lumps) (check on empty stomach)?
10. Do you feel more exhausted than some time ago after doing the same amount of job?
11. Are your feet often cold?
12. Does your head feel warm?
13. Does your stool have very foul smell?
14. Is your urine dark?
15. Do you have bags under your eyes in the morning (a little is ok)?
16. Do you have to clean your navel often?
17. Do you have a lot of ear wax (every 2-3 days)?
18. Do you sweat profusely?
19. Do you have a lot of hair fall?
20. (P) Are your shoulders straight?
21. Is your skin dry/with acne/any type of skin disease?
Think you need to detox? Sign up by dropping me a message ayurveda@bare-foot.nl.