Read up on the 5 key elements of detoxing in my latest article and start feeling better sooner rather than later…
As you know, the internet is full of tips, tricks, and shortcuts that claim to give you the so-called “easy fix” when it comes to improving your health.
But if you ask me, I think it’s time you know the truth.
The road to health and vitality isn’t a sprint but a marathon. When it comes to living a healthy life, taking the easy road isn’t always the most sustainable choice.
Ayurveda is a life science for a reason.
Living an Ayurvedic lifestyle is more than just knowing your dosha or taking supplements. It’s about deepening your connection to your body, mind, and spirit. It all starts with understanding how to find balance inside and out with daily routine, proper diet and a true investment in your health and wellbeing.
Once you understand these critical keys to health, living and practising Ayurveda will feel like second nature.
In fact, you’ll probably find that it’s something you can’t live without!
The first step to feeling light, healthy and balanced is to start with a clean slate.
The best way to do that is to detox!
The Power of Detoxing
You know that detoxing is important, but let’s take a closer look.
When you don’t regularly detoxify the system, you accumulate Ama (excess toxicity, and waste) in the body.
When ama gets to a certain tipping point, it can impact your metabolism. This causes the colon to get backed up which can further affect its sister organs, the lungs.
This could result in colds, coughs, sinus infections, earaches, constipation, gas, bloating and belching.
Since the liver is one of the main processing organs in the body, it can also become stagnant. This can result in inflammation, weight gain, indigestion, pain, and “mystery” flare-ups.
When you detox, you can relieve these symptoms and reset your digestive and overall health.
Positive Side Effects of Detoxing Your Body:
- Become less susceptible to dis-ease and imbalance
- Slow down the ageing process
- Take Power over your health
Focusing on your health and self-care has never been more important, especially when boosting your immunity is proven to be THE BEST thing you can do in the face of stress, growing older, and holding onto vitality.
Detoxing is a powerful way to take control of your digestive and overall health.
The 5 Elemental Keys to Detoxing
Now that you understand the importance of a good detox, let’s talk about how you can use the elemental influences of nature to detox your body with Ayurveda!
ETHER: Create The Space For Healing
Working with the element of ether is all about creating space – emotionally, mentally, and psychically.
For example, you can physically curate an area in your home (or in nature) where you go when you wish to pause and think about how you feel.
Creating a space to meditate on what wellness looks like for you and what steps you can take to get there can make a huge difference.
When you create the proper space, healing can take place.
Imagine that there’s a room in your home that has been taken over by paperwork, boxes and other piles of clutter.
Creating space would look like dedicating yourself to a day of physically clearing it out and transforming it into your home-yoga studio.
The end product would not only equate to a clean and tidy room but a space of CLARITY where you can focus on your physical health.
Wouldn’t that feel amazing?
That’s the power of creating space, and it’s one of the elemental keys to detoxification both inside and out.
Ether Mantra: I am dedicated to creating the space I need to heal.
AIR: Calm Your Inner Wind
If you use it right, the element of air can help you fill that newfound space of clarity with an inspired routine that creates calm.
But, when left to its own devices, the air gets windy and creates a whole lot of clutter so it’s important to work with it mindfully.
The air element is all about teaching you to let go of that which doesn’t serve you.
Do you hold onto unhealthy relationships?
Are you harboring long-time insecurities that weigh you down?
Do you perpetuate a lack-mindset because of past experiences?
Now’s the time to put one hand over your heart, the other hand in the air, (girl scouts honor style) and let that sh*t go!
Trust me, I know that this is WAY easier said than done, but I also know the power that intention, compassionate self-study, and meditation can have on your mind when you choose to let go of what no longer works for you (and maybe never did).
The reason most of us often feel so exhausted is that we’ve been holding onto something negative. We feel it in our bodies and know it in our minds, we should have left it behind long ago. If you really want to move forward and have the stellar health and wellbeing you know you deserve, it’s time to accept, thank, and say goodbye to whatever is holding you back.
Air Mantra: I let go of what no longer serves me.
Important note: This mantra is totally customizable to whatever it is you are letting go of; whether it be not taking good care of your body, a relationship, a grudge, etc. Ask yourself what it’s time to let go of and repeat the mantra until it sticks.
FIRE: Awaken Your Metabolism
Ayurveda teaches, “anything can be poison, anything can be medicine.”
It’s LISTENING to the wisdom of your body that’s the key.
When you feel sluggish, depleted or just generally low in energy, you want to be asking yourself “What does my body need right now?”
Now you’re getting down to the fun point of your detoxing process as you have the opportunity to tap into the element of FIRE to reboot your energy for a happier, more vibrant you.
You know that fire is the element that rules your energy system, but did you know that it’s also responsible for strengthening your digestive system?
Your digestive system(1) is the root system for how you process and heal your body through food, which is why food acts as medicine. What you eat impacts healthy cell repair and your overall energy, which makes it your most valuable asset.
Finding ways to nurture your digestive fire is a powerful addition to any detox.
One way you can help your body thrive?
It’s all about SPICES!
Specifically, the spices that work best for(2) and with your Dosha. These will be different for everyone; for example, if your metabolism runs hot, fast, and acidic, you’ll want to go for cooling spices such as coriander, fennel seed, and mint.
If your metabolism runs cold, heavy, or slow, you’ll need to warm things up and invigorate your body with pungent spices such as ginger, turmeric, and cardamon.
Start by adding ¼ teaspoon of spices to your daily meals and you’ll literally feel the magic start to happen. Not sure what your Dosha is? Find out in my quiz and get cookin’!
Now here’s the thing, without properly clearing ama from your system, you can eat all the spices you want, but that nourishing food will never truly nourish your body.
The key is to make sure you properly cleanse the body(link to RAD cleanse) so you can rekindle your inner digestive fires the right way.
Fire Mantra: In this moment, how do I feel and what do I need to fuel my digestive fire?
WATER: Feed Your Fluids
Here, you’ll begin to send your attention to fluids that flow through your body in honour of the element of water.
Your hormones run on a fluid system, but if there are any problems within that system, then it’s like there’s a dam restricting the steady flow of water through the river within your body.
This can lead to hormonal, glandular and lymphatic imbalances.
The main focus of this elemental key is to clear the dams in your inner rivers by receiving proper hydration.
3 Healthy Hydration tips:
- Add a pinch of high-quality salt in warm or hot water.
- Sip on some coconut water before a workout.
- Pour yourself 16-ounces of hot water with the juice of half a lemon or lime every morning and after meals.
Having a hydration routine that is especially for you is what sets an Ayurveda detox apart from other modalities.
Do it, drink it, feel it.
Water Mantra: Hydration is deeper than water.
EARTH: Detox Your Body With Ayurveda
Last, but by no means least, we end with the element meaning the element that makes up your entire being. The element of earth grounds and reconnects you to the reason that you crave a detox in the first place.
Whether the detox is physical, mental or spiritual, the reason that you desire to release and replenish is that nature is telling you to do so. It’s a cyclical and natural process.
Aches, pains, and feelings of exhaustion are actually your bodies way of sending you a message. Your symptoms will tell you that you are on the brink of burnout or break down, your feelings will emote frustration or lethargy.
You may even hear a voice in your mind that tells you it’s time to do something different.
It’s up to you to listen to the nature of your being. listen to the element of earth and respond to what it needs from you. Your mind, body and soul deserve this attention and deep self-care to detox intentionally and with conviction.
THAT is self-love in action.
Earth Mantra: When I listen to my body, I show myself that me and my health matter.
Detoxing is about more than just food…
By now you might realize that a detox is more than just eliminating food from your diet for a few days. Instead, it is a total reset to how you think, act, and live. When take on detoxing from the lense of these 5 elemental keys, you can start to experience the true medicine of food, herbs and routine that Ayurveda has to offer!
You should also know…
That I’m here for you 100% and I constantly have your health and wellness in mind.
To prove it, I invite you to join me in the RAD fall cleanse. This is a deep dive into the tools you need to finally feel radiant, energized, and amazing in your body! Click here to learn more! (3)
