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The body detoxes itself so why bother... How will I feel during a detox... I’ve watched the TV series and worry I Will I be hungry during a detox programme? Are all the therapies at extra cost? What is the male to female ratio on a course? Where do I get my support products? What about handouts and recipes? Can I work out during a detox? Why do we drink hot water and lemon? What subjects will lessons and lectures cover? Is the exercise programme suitable for all? I am used to life in the fast lane - will I be bored? |
First things first, meet your toxic load!Ever had that sluggish feeling? Much like a slow gradual hangover that becomes really difficult to shake off. The reality of what’s going on inside the body is that you’ve added too much to the toxic load and the organs of detoxification such as your liver and digestive system are struggling to cope. Just as your home or office can become dusty and dirty, so your body can become clogged up with toxins and waste matter from the environment around us. When our bodies are clean and strong, they are able to eliminate toxins efficiently, but when they become overloaded they can become sluggish, overweight (or underweight in some instances) and more susceptible to disease. Only by clearing away excess toxins on a regular basis can the entire body become revitalised and rejuvenated. The body detoxes itself anyway so why bother?But, claim the skeptics, the body detoxes itself anyway so why bother? Well, there is no question that the body detoxes itself all the time. The challenge these days is that most people accumulate too many toxins from such daily inputs as food, drink, air, household products, for the body to handle and process and expel. The result is that ‘toxic signals’ such as aches and pains, irritable bowel, skin complaints, excess weight, mood swings and fatigue start to kick in. If these signals are ignored then they are the basis for longer-term chronic health problems. It is never too early or too late to give your body a good detox and begin enjoying the age you are, or the age you used to be! Detoxing is not new…Detoxing has been around for centuries, having origins in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine and has been used historically in the treatment of many diseases. A healthy body is able to disarm toxins or non-nutrients by breaking them down, storing them in fat tissue or excreting them. The vast majority of people are depleted in the nutrients needed to detox optimally and chronic health problems, sluggishness and weight gain are common results. Performing a detox is a way of supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes, replenishing stores of nutrients and allowing the body some time-out to heal and recharge. However, the success of a detoxification programme depends heavily on the sophistication of those techniques and the knowledge and experience of those who manage and deliver it. What is colon cleansing?Cleansing the colon is an integral and vital part of the detoxification programme and is usually achieved by the use of either enemas or colonic hydrotherapy. There is a lot of confusion over the use of enemas and colon hydrotherapy and the differences between the two. Although colonic irrigation is a little different to an enema, the fundamental purpose and results are similar – they both encourage and support elimination via the body’s organs - and as a consequence, promote deeper cleansing and elimination at cell and tissue level. However, colonic irrigation can be more aggressive and during our retreats we prefer the use of enemas to achieve the greatest level of detoxification whilst maintaining comfort. Enemas work by clearing the large intestine (or bowel) of its contents and stimulating the detox action of the liver through use of specific herbs and natural substances. The enema solution will, for a short time, be absorbed into the liver via the portal vein, and thus can achieve a heightened ‘detox’ effect. Enemas have been used by Naturopaths for centuries and are a safe, controlled and comfortable aspect of the detox process. The supplement course before and after the detox retreat will improve the bowel flora through the use of pre and probiotics. Rebalancing the intestinal bacteria ensures that the whole gut environment is right for optimum absorption and elimination. Q & A’s about detox retreatsHow will I feel during a detox?How you feel will depend entirely on your lifestyle history. Some symptoms are common, such as fatigue and mild headaches for those coming off caffeine. However, we are well equipment with extra supplements and techniques to help the symptoms pass as quickly as possible. Funnily enough, it is common to hear some detoxers worrying that that they got no challenging symptoms whatsoever! I’ve watched the TV series and worry I will be tearful during a retreat.Support and encouragement is the role of all the therapists assisting in the delivery of the retreat. The entire experience is professional, friendly, compassionate and informal. Remember that TV programmes are made to show drama! Most days are full of laughter, fun and often budding new friendships. Tears, if they come, often appear during specific therapy sessions when you feel safest off-loading to a member of our team. Will I be hungry during a detox programme?A common misconception! The fact is your body is better ‘fed’ during our detoxification programme than at almost any other time! Hunger is very rare and only occurs if someone is underweight – in which case we take steps to help that person still achieve the best rate of detox whilst not losing any extra body fat. Are all the therapies at extra cost?No, the vast majority of the detox programme is all-inclusive. The only additional costs are one to one sessions with specialists in areas that are driven by personal interest rather than specific to the detox process. This is a recent change implemented due to client feedback. What is the male to female ratio on a course?Currently 25% male, 75% female although this seems to change in favour or men with each year that passes! Where do I get my support products?Numerous products get mentioned during the talks, such as skin brushes, supplements, juicers, yoga equipment and other selected items. We try to keep things as natural and simple as possible. All are available on our online store and can be ordered in time for your return home. We give you all you need for the adjustment period between the detox and getting back to ‘normal life’ in the way of supplements and information. What about handouts and recipes?Handouts & Recipes are provided on a password protected area of the website. You are provided with PDF summaries of the week's talks so you can chose to download the aspects that you specifically want to keep. 14 days of recipes are handed out as part of your departure pack. Can I work out during a detox?A detox is not a time for intensive training – however, clients often find that they return to training with heightened performance and many professional atheles have used the detox for that purpose alone! During retreats we cover three main areas of detox support exercise: Yoga, Qi Kung (pronounced 'Chee Gong') and Pilates. Each discipline is designed specifically to support the detox process – as well as being tailored to your longer-term induvidual needs during your one to one sessions. These specialist forms of exercise help to bring your body into alignment improve circulation and encourage the elimination of toxins. Specific postures are used which massage the internal organs, ensuring optimum blood supply to all parts of the body. You will also learn breathing techniques that help to bring more oxygen to the lung that in turn assists in the removal of cellular waste and toxic matter. All of our specialists are qualified and experienced to the highest level and have been chosen for their deep understanding of their subject and ability to impart the teaching with that ‘special something’ to make the classes and one to one sessions memorable. These core support exercises are underpinned by the lymph-boosting effects of brisk strolls in stunning locations during our morning wake up walks. What are the juices made of?Organic seasonal fruits and vegetables at combinations best suited to detox – but all taste good! Why do we drink hot water and lemon?Lemon juice is an excellent way to stimulate bile production. Bile flushes wastes out of your liver cells and then out of your body via your gall bladder and intestines. What subjects will lessons and lectures cover?It varies depending on the focus of the week but in general a breadth of topics ranging from improving energy, stress management, nutrition for anti-ageing, the truth about weight gain, fertility management for men and women, self-hypnosis for habit breaking – we make sure we listen to each course’s clients for guidance on special topics they may wish to hear about. Is the exercise programme suitable for all?Yes. We work with only the very best of yoga teachers who can adapt postures for all levels. We also include a 1:1 session on each retreat so client has time with the teacher for himself or herself. I am used to life in the fast lane - will I be bored?No! For those that are used to living the fast-paced life it can be an adjustment to go with the flow for a few days. The schedule is busy but is designed to provide guidance without being over bearing. We have a library of nutrition books and other self-healing topics, as well as a sprinkling of novels and topical magazines to fill the gaps if you want to educate yourself even more! We also have DVD sets of the five series of Spa programmes presented by Amanda that follow people who have been through the course before you – entertaining and inspiring! Our detox philosophyGiven we are not working miracles but rather harnessing the body’s own healing capacity, our detox programme is essentially system of techniques, supplements and therapies that are designed to optimise the functioning of the detoxification systems. It sounds simple but this is where the art and science of our detox programme is combined. People get ‘toxic’ in many ways, through diet and lifestyle, through harmful relationships and emotions and some may say we inherit toxins through our genetic lineage. Our comprehensive programme of detoxification involves ensuring that the body’s systems are thoroughly supported – this in itself requires a deep knowledge of the subject and the support of supplements designed by professionals. A true detoxification process works on ALL levels – something that may surprise first time clients. Stopping the daily grind, slowing down and emptying your mind can make the experience as much a ‘mental break’ as a physical cleanse - a chance to de-clutter thoughts and re-establish your place in the world. It is our continual experience that clients appear to experience the resurfacing of old memories or feelings that are repressed and stored at a cellular level in the body (read Molecules of Emotion by the notable scientist Dr Candice Pert if this concept interests you). Indeed, fasting and body cleansing has been used for centuries as a method of mental and spiritual purification. The feeling of ‘detox high’ that many people feel after a retreat is not just down to the physical rejuvenation but also the freedom from emotions that have been previously stuffed down (often with comfort foods) or covered up. Last but not least, we are all nourished by nature. We chose our retreat venues in places of exceptional beauty and comfort that are free from the endless hassle of airport delays and long transfers – not to mention the air miles! |
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