Recognizing the fact that we’re all unique in terms of our body types, stages of life, issues going on with our health, climates we live in and foods we eat daily – it makes sense then to approach detoxing in a way that takes these factors into consideration.
A lot of Yoga practitioners are looking for a detox program to clean and lighten the body and to improve flexibility. I thought I would share what I have found to work best for me Juice days for me are really special. And it’s not only because of cleansing the body, and feeling light and flexible. After a few days on juices only, the mind starts working differently. Everything becomes clear and simple. The breathing is slower and the mind is so calm. Usually after juice days I feel stronger mentally and have more stamina physically.
I would like to present this piece in the spirit of compassion, co-operation and communication. My thanks to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharat Jois and all teachers who have developed this practice and helped me along this path. The purpose of writing is to encourage debate and dialogue amongst practitioners.
A new student recently said she had been told that if a yoga teacher knows what they are doing and teaches the class properly then the students should leave feeling energised and good. Did I agree? Well, I thought, I guess that does often happen – but not all the time. Students can leave an asana practice feeling angry, depressed, paranoid, and hopeless. So what is that about? Isn’t it supposed to make us peaceful and serene?
Once known as the ultimate health food for vegetarians and vegans – the ideal replacement for meat and dairy, these days soy is often referred to as dangerous or even evil. So what on earth happened and is it even safe to eat it? It’s not hard to see why there are health issues around eating soy if you think about how recently the craze began and how quickly it exploded.
This golden wonder spice came into my radar during recent stints in Bali when I became rather fond of a local drink called jamu, made with fresh turmeric, ginger, tamarind and honey. Lately much has also been researched and written about the wonders of this intensely bright, pungent super food.
Eating to balance yin and yang has been the Chinese way of eating for centuries, a concept which later became key to macrobiotics. So what does it mean? Balancing yin and yang is about balancing the energy of food, as opposed to balancing certain food groups. Yang foods are considered to be more heating to the body and dense energetically, while yin foods are more cooling, lighter in energy and with higher water content. The Chinese ideal is to eat both types of food to keep the body in balance.
Where in the world are you? What’s the weather like outside? What’s going on in YOUR world i.e. your body? What’s the weather like inside?
In Ayurveda it’s all about eating and living according to the season (outer climate) and your body type (inner climate). It’s fairly easy to check weather patterns but what about your own body’s tendencies? How well do you know yourself? Do you tend towards being hot or cold? Is your skin dry or moist? Do you gain weight easily or find it hard to retain? Are you sensitive to heat, cold or damp? How is your digestion? How is your appetite? Are you a fast mover, talker and walker or slow, patient and calm? Do you sleep deep or wake up frequently? Do you sweat a lot in practice?
Over a cup of tea, she told me how they found her tumor. Mira, a middle-aged woman with large blue eyes and a gentle smile, holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Development and works as an administrator for the Swedish Army.She explained how the stress and long hours of her work had culminated in 25 kilos of extra weight and high blood pressure.
As the New Year approaches, you may be considering a cleanse or detox program. Amidst today’s cleansing craze, it’s difficult to know which path to take. The most popular detoxes include colonics (cleansing of the colon through enema) and various juice fasts, as well as The Master Cleanse. Widely practiced for decades, the Master Cleanse prescribes a 10-day diet of lemon water infused with cayenne pepper and molasses.