Feeling a bit rusty? time for spring cleaning!
When spring comes around, we think of cleaning our places of residence… but why not clean our most immediate home? Yes, our bodies and minds! They need a little help detoxifying as our exposure to toxins increases every day, the muck accumulates, and some of us have issues with our elimination system.
The information about detoxification programs and cleanses is extensive and it can be overwhelming deciding how to get started.
I like to share a few tips with you to help you come up with your own detox program in a very yogic way.
- Drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day.
- Eat 30g or more of fiber.
- Reduce the consumption of dairy product as they increase ama (waste product of digestion).
- Increase the amount of raw foods especially vegetables.
- Do a one-day-a-week-cleanse.
- Dry brush your skin.
- Practice mudras for detoxification.
- Eliminate alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, refined sugars, and saturated fats.
- Lighten your toxic load by replacing the use of household cleaners and personal health products with natural alternatives.
By gradually eliminating toxins from your body, you avoid taxing your elimination system. If you try to detox too fast, you can get sick when the body cannot handle the elimination of the increased toxic load.
One-day-a-week cleanse
Fasting is the fastest way eliminate toxins from your body using diet provided that you rest enough during the fasting period. However, we talk about gradual elimination… so fasting one day a week is gentle on your body and can do wonders over time.
Follow the recipe described later in this post to make a green drink for this one-day-a-week cleanse. Drink this juice thru the day to help you eliminate toxins and give your digestive system a break. This fast is not only cleansing but is also alkalizing.
If you cannot fast for a whole day or you are a pita like me… then I recommend eating a good breakfast and a big lunch on the day that you start the fast. Then have a green drink for an afternoon snack and another one for dinner. Next day, have a green drink for breakfast and then have another big lunch. This way you have given your digestive system a 24 hrs break without feeling starved. I do it on Sundays as I tend to have a quiet day.
Dry brushing
The first time I heard about dry brushing was in a spa… it is great indeed for exfoliating your skin and help you eliminate cellulite but is also great for helping you detox as it stimulates your lymphatic system and increases circulation. On top of that, it helps to relieve stress!
The skin is one of the five main elimination channels of the body and eliminates about two pounds of toxic material each day through perspiration. Your body makes a new top layer of skin every 24 hrs. Skin brushing removes the old layer of skin and lets the new layer come to the surface.
I dry brush myself in the morning before jumping into the shower. Pick a time that suits you best. It only takes 5 minutes and it brings you so many benefits. For details about the benefits and how to dry brush, see this article.
Detoxification mudra
Mudras are said to awaken the kundalini energy. You can practice before or after your yoga practice with breathing exercises (pranayama) or yoga postures (asanas).
To practice the detoxification mudra, use both hands and place each thumb on the inner edge of the third joint of the ring finger. Extend and relax all the other fingers. This mudra helps to detoxify your system both physically and emotionally. Getting rid of toxic waste makes room for more positive energy.
To practice the apan (energy) mudra, place together the thumb, middle, and ring finger together. Extend the index and little finger. Practice 3 times a day for 15 min. This mudra helps remove toxins from your body. Also, it has a balancing effect on the mind and helps develop inner balance and confidence.
Mudras are based on the fact that the mind plays a vital role in healing. You need to believe it for them to work.
Green drink
This drink is high in minerals and helps you eliminate toxins and alkalize your body.
Ingredients
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Preparation
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If you find hard to get use to the taste, try adding 1/2 green apple. But work towards having just green vegetables. You can also replace kale with spinach or other dark leafy green of your choice. Keep the cilantro as it is very detoxifying.