Cleansing is important to me – it has been the most important catalyst for deepening my understanding of Ayurveda, in my own body. Those of you who are on my email list have all received a copy of my one day Ayurvedic cleanse guide. Did you use it? What did you think of it?
Over the past 4 years of twice-yearly doing an Ayurvedic cleanse, each one has been different. Each time I approach it, and plan it, I feel different. Mostly, my cleanses were and are more a time of intention, pulling back, turning in and tuning in. Sometimes I like what I see, other times it’s super challenging and feels like during that season I took two steps backward, one step forward. The cleanse was that step forward and I am grateful that I am creating that habit for myself…my body starts to know when the season shift is coming…and tells my mind it’s time to pick a start date.
Ayurvedic cleansing is usually centered around eating kitchari. I’m sure amny of you are familiar with this – might already have opinions of loving it or so-not-loving it. For those of you who don’t – there is a recipe in my 1 day cleanse guide, that I mentioned above. Two actually.
Why do it?
The goals of an Ayurvedic cleanse are to improve digestion, remove or burn up toxins, and improve our willpower. Strengthening your will power might take a little force, or the yogic term we use is tapas, a purification through effort. An important aspect, which juxtaposes this effort, is also taking more time to nourish yourself, especially through living your more ideal routine, getting enough sleep, and learning self massage.
By making a little effort, it becomes easier the next time. In my experience, stretching your will power is best done gently – just like any stretch. Regular stretching over time is going to be more beneficial than say, forcing yourself into a split, and tearing your hamstrings. Making it difficult or impossible to even walk 🙂 With this concentrated effort, over a week, ad done twice per year, stretching your will power becomes easier – making it just EASIER to make better decisions around food, drinking, or expending your energy is ways you do not want to.
Wouldn’t it be great if things – anything – was just plain easier in this life?
“Slowly and slowly”
Digestion is the crucial piece to all healing in Ayurvedic medicine – as well as preventative medicine. Fasting is an interesting and important practice which can improve digestion – and there are certainly helpful and not so helpful ways to do it. A juice cleanse might serve some constitutions, at certain times of the year. Skipping breakfast in the Spring time may serve someone with a heavier Kapha constitution. Eating a mono-diet of kitchari is one way to very safely introduce a fast into your life.
According to the Ayurvedic understanding, our digestion is known as our agni. This word relates to our metabolic fire. Our ability to assmilate and absorb. There are very specific guidelines in Ayurvedic medicine for taking care of our agni. It’s not really an ‘anything goes’ approach, though that’s how most of us approach our diets and eating.
An Ayurvedic Cleanse is an opportunity to learn about and experience some of those food rules – even if it’s just for the week – it’s beneficial to help clear up and clean up soe of the little messes we create throughout the rest of the year.
And sometimes those habits just happen to stick around, because they feel good, and just MAKE SENSE. Oh, how I love this stuff.
Do more than Remain Neutral
One of my mentors, Dr. Claudia Welch, says that in her experience, it takes at least 2 hours of self care per day to just remain neutral. And by remaining neutral, she means staying level and sane and maintaining our current state of health in our world as it is today. Amongst all the environmental stresses, our work, family responsibilities, social pressures. 2 hours to keep your head above water. And how many of us are really doing this?
Self care can include the Ayurvedic techniques, and yoga, and baths, and cooking for yourself, and taking walks. Whatever works for you.
Setting aside time for a seasonal cleanse is how I have taken leaps forward in my health and well-being – beyond just the remaining neutral. It’s a concentrated dose of me time.
Do your worst- and commit to a little me time this Spring. It’s the best time of the year to cleanse.
If you’re like me and have been feeling sluggish, sleeping in, have a little sinus congestion, nausea, or a few extra pounds from winter, get on board with us for April. Nature’s lightening up, and it just makes sense that we follow suit.
The next group cleanse is: October 12-18, 2015
EARLY BIRD PRICE: $75 – Goes up to $95 October 6.
Commit early and save
PS: If you’ve cleansed before, and are ready to go deeper, talk with me about a guided home panchakarma. This traditional Ayurvedic cleansing practice follows a very similar protocol as the group cleanse, but it requires one on one guidance because we utilize purgation techniques which are not for everyone. Apply here.
