Even yogis need to detox. Regardless of our dedication to clean living, we are exposed to multiple toxins everyday. Toxins can be defined as any substance causing irritating or harmful effects in your body. Daily exposure comes from:
Air
Water
Food – pesticides and preservatives
Radiation
EMF’s
Prescription and OTC drugs
Alcohol and tobacco
Sugar and sweeteners
By-products of our own metabolism
Cleaning and personal care products
Construction materials, carpeting, paint, insulation, mold
Food-storage plastics, Teflon, aluminum baking pans, etc.
Our bodies are designed to handle minimal or short-term exposure to toxins, to break them down and then eliminate them. The problem is that as our environment has become too polluted, our detoxification systems can’t keep up. But day-in, day-out accumulation leads to an overwhelmed and overflowing detoxification system, a condition known as the rain barrel effect.
How do you know if your detoxification system is overloaded? The following is a list of common “toxic overload” symptoms:
Skin problems – acne, rashes, hives, eczema, etc.
Headaches
Candida and fungal infections
Allergies
Digestive woes like bad breath, bloating, gas, constipation, poor digestion, food cravings
Joint pain
Sleep disturbances
Fatigue
Cognitive disturbances, fuzzy thinking, memory loss, crankiness
While an overwhelmed detoxification system is not the only cause of the following symptoms, conducting a seasonal detox can relieve and reverse many of the uncomfortable aforementioned symptoms. Detoxification is a natural and continual process that is always ongoing, but when there is a condition of overwhelm, it may be necessary to assist this process with temporary diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. The goal of a detox program is two-fold. First, we endeavor to neutralize or transform toxins into non-harmful substances. And secondly, we go about eliminating them from the body. The benefits of detoxification can include:
Improved appearance
Elevated mood
Emotional well-being
Hormonal balance
Better sleep
Overall health
Possible weight loss
Sometimes people ask why they need to embark on a two-week detox program rather than just fasting for a few days. In my opinion, fasting is not recommended because specific nutrients are needed to support the body’s detoxification pathways. And more importantly,
fasting causes an overly rapid expulsion of petrochemicals and organochlorines out of the fat cells leading to adverse symptoms called a Herxheimer reaction. A Herxheimer reaction can make you feel like you have the flu or worse, and cause you to wish you had never attempted a cleanse in the first place.
A properly conducted detox cleanse involves three steps:
Step 1 Nourish and Prepare
Step 2 Detoxification Diet & Lifestyle
Step 3 Rejuvenation & Reintroduction
I’m planning to guide a group of participants in such a cleanse this month and I hope you’ll join us. You will receive group support and step-by-step instructions to make it easy to follow.
Each step includes:
Specific diet recommendations, supplements, herbal cleansers, etc.
Grocery lists, recipes, substitution checklists, etc.
Exercise, yoga, and breathing practices specific to each Step
Recommendations for skin and body detoxification regime
Bodywork and self massage suggestions
Click here to join this group detox. Let's begin the new year feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, connected and supported. Yoga Libre!