“With no desire, at rest and still,
All things go right as of their will.”
―Lao Tzu,Tao Te Ching
A One-Day Ayurvedic Detox Program
This one-day ayurvedic detoxification program is a great way to heal, rest, and rejuvenate.
It can be done at the change of seasons or more frequently if you need to -- anytime you feel the need for deep rest and a system re-set.
Benefits include : improved digestion, less fatigue, a stress-free mind and more natural joy.
Ayurvedic detox programs are gentle and nourishing, and are not intended to be overly strict or to create a sense of deprivation.
This cleanse uses the ayurvedic dish kicharee, renown by modern health experts for its incredible healing properties.
Here's yourplan...
Food:
3-4 servings per day of kicharee (soak rice & dhal overnight before cooking) - get the recipe here
Steamed vegetables of your choice (optional) : kale, spinach, leeks, carrots, broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower, beets, chard (serving = ½ cup per meal) -try this recipe here
Try to wait 3-5 hours in between meals, to allow for proper digestion.
Drinks:
Hot water with lemon: taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Can also be taken during the day away from meals.
At least 6-8 glasses of water per day, preferably served warm or hot.
Favour teas suitable for your dosha: ginger, fennel, tulsi, cinnamon, homemade yogi tea or plain hot water.
Liquid chlorophyll or lemon water with honey (on an empty stomach) can also be taken.
Aloe vera gel or juice (1-2 servings per day) - helps to detoxify and aids constipation
Herbs:
If digestive fire is low, you can stimulate the digestive fire by chewing on a small piece of fresh ginger with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon.
At bedtime, take 1-2 tsp triphala powder with warm water.
How To Spend Your Day:
Start your morning with 10-20 minutes of gentle yoga and breathing exercises (such as your daily breathontology practice). This starts your day on the right foot, brings clarity to the body & mind, and helps in the detoxification process.
If you can, try to take a day off from your normal life, or adopt a slower pace. As much as possible, avoid heavy mental work, electronics, social media, telephone calls, emotional stress and reading the news. If you can, unplug your internet connection for a few hours and allow your energy to go inward.
Favour quiet activities that you find enjoyable and uplifting, such as light reading, journaling, art, gentle housework, gardening, an inspiring movie, or just by resting.
Maximize rest, but try not to become a total couch potato. You will feel better by incorporating gentle exercise throughout your day such as short walks, gardening, stretching, tai chi, cleaning your closets or rearranging your furniture.
Ayurvedic self-care practices such as dry skin brushing, self-massage, foot massages or epsom salt baths will also support your process. You may also wish to burn incense or use essential oils suitable for your dosha. Learn how to do self-massage here
Before bed, set aside at least 20 minutes for yoga, breathing exercises, meditation , art, journaling or prayer.
During the cleanse:
During a cleanse, it’s normal if you feel tired, sensitive, emotional or more inward. This may mean that the emotions that have been stored in your body-mind are being released.
Allow yourself to feel whatever you are feeling without judgment, but avoid drawing any major conclusions about yourself during the cleanse. Seek healthy expression for your feelings through art, journaling, crying, contemplation. Learning to simply by be present with what you feel with love and self-compassion is a powerful healing exercise.
You may also notice food cravings, body pains or headaches, which are also signs of toxins (ama) leaving the body. Drink plenty of water and allow yourself to fully rest.
The next day:
The day after the fast, you will likely feel stronger, happier, energized and light.
Your mind will be clearer and your mood positive and naturally joyful.
You may want to favour cooked foods that are easy to digest, and avoid heavy
foods, fried foods and refined sugar for 1-2 days after your fast.
Keep drinking hot water or teas, as indicated above.
Continue taking triphala powder daily before bed.
About the Author
Briya Freeman has been creating spaces for healing and spiritual awakening since 2011. She is passionate about exploring the potentials of human consciousness in a way that unites and transcends global culture. Her background includes 20+ years of study and practice in hatha yoga, Ayurveda, Breathontology, meditation, bioenergetics and shamanism.
As a teacher, she is known for an approach that is down-to-earth, intuitive and deeply seated. She can be reached at hello@briyafreeman.com
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