FAQ

What can I expect from the cleanse? The cleanse is an opportunity to reset your body and mind and attune to the energy of the coming season. It draws upon the ancient wisdom of Reiki Energy, Ayurveda and Yoga, which invites us to balance and reset seasonally. The cleanse includes: a self- regulated retreat from stimulants including: alcohol, caffeine, refined sugar, recreational drugs, and excessive social media. You'll nourish yourself, eliminate toxins, and re-ignite your digestive fire by eating a traditional Ayurvedic healing dish called Kitchari (more info below) and healing teas and herbal drinks. Learn to set a daily self-care morning and evening ritual integrating Ayurvedic practices, somatic movement, and mindful intentions. You'll participate in two live workshop sessions at the beginning and the end of the program to introduce you to the process and to celebrate and integrate what you've learned throughout the week-long program. You'll have access to pre-recorded yoga, meditation, and movement classes, cleanse guide book, daily emails, and lifetime access to a private community to get support and community during the program and connection to help you integrate these rituals in your daily life.

How is the Embodied Energy Cleanse different from a regular Ayurveda Cleanse? The Embodied Energy Cleanse (EEC) incorporates traditional Ayurveda cleanse practices in the Fall & Spring Equinox programs. All four seasonal EEC cleanse programs offer additional energy (chakra) healing and balancing techniques, including but not limited to, holistic nourishment designed to support the cleansing of each chakra, yoga, meditation, somatic movement practices, Reiki energy healing, crystal healing and a variety of unique mindfulness practices.

Why Kitchari cleanse in the fall and Spring? Ayurveda recommends that we cleanse twice a year: once in the Fall and once in the Spring. In the Fall it supports us in releasing excess heat from the body and prepares our immune system, and in the Spring it helps to release excess that has accumulated from the heaviness of winter. With the uncertainty this year and a half has brought, there has never been a better time to strengthen your immune system and mental resolve, to pause and reflect in solitude with global support. A cleanse like this will leave your body, mind and spirit nourished for the season ahead.

What will I be eating? Kitchari! Which is the classical Ayurvedic cleanse food, It’s a vegetarian (vegan options available) complete protein (a mixture of moong beans and basmati rice), easy to digest, helps reset the digestive system and cleanse the liver. (Kitchari kits are available for purchase for those who don't wish to shop for all of the ingredients!). Other foods to enjoy during that cleanse include: steamed and fresh vegetables,: non-soy miso soup, vegetable or bone broth, herbal pestos and dips, avocado, dates, ghee, spices, and fresh fruit. This is a cleanse not a fast.

What won’t I be having? Alcohol, refined sugars, caffeine, meat, excessive social media, late nights.

Is it all about food? Nope! Food is part of it, but cleansing is an ancient Ayurvedic art, that includes the mental and emotions systems as well as the physical body. You will be asked to do a daily guided meditation (recordings provided) and pranayama practices to sooth the nervous system. You will be provided with an active vinyasa and meditative yoga video, somatic chakra movement video, and mindfulness options for home practice. You will be asked to practice self care- oilinate your skin, scrape your tongue and use a neti pot. You will drink teas and take some herbs to support cleansing. You will be asked to journal/reflect on your patterns and emotions related to food, stimulants and self-care. This cleanse is a holistic experience!

Will I lose weight? Depends on if that’s your goal or not and how different this diet is to your normal diet. The overall goal is to cleanse and relax the system not lose weight. However, if you’re working to shed extra weight from a centenary lifestyle and unhealthy eating you likely will. If you struggle with weight what this cleanse offers is an opportunity to cut back on unhealthy habits to notice where you have patterns and attachments to food. Going forward you might not choose to use so many foods/substances that trigger you. Stress reductions, which this cleanse provides, is also an excellent tool to help drop unhealthy weight. If those who are trying not to loose weight- I will give you options like using more ghee and nourishing foods verses cleansing foods.

Will it be hard? The first 3 days are usually the hardest especially if you are cutting out caffeine and sugar for the first time in awhile. those affect our endorphin levels and we feel bummed without them. After about 3 days your body normalizes and you no longer crave and feel so dependent on substances. This is why it's nice to do it with the support of a group. We can email each other-like damn I was crabby, but now I’m feeling better”.

What is Somatic Movement? Somatic movement, generally speaking, is performed consciously with the intention of focusing on the internal experience of the movement rather than the external appearance or result of the movement. The intention of the movement is to increase awareness of sensations and energetic effort to release physical, mental and emotional tension and improve ease in the body, mind and soul. The somatic movements in this cleanse program are simple, adaptable movement combinations specifically designed to activate, balance and assist in overall energy (chakra) healing.

What is Reiki Healing? The term comes from the Japanese words “rei,” meaning universal, and “ki,” which means vital life force energy that flows through all living things. Reiki, an abundant, gentle spiritual energy is not tied to any specific religion or nationality. Reiki improves the flow of energy in and around the body to enable deeper relaxation and stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms in a similar way to acupuncture or acupressure.

How do crystals work? Crystals have a long tradition of being used for healing. Primitive men used rocks and crystals for various rituals. These days, you will find crystal applications in radios, watches and various communication equipment. Crystal therapy is also a part of everyday life. We use the power of crystals in the form of rock salt and season our food with it or put various types of salt crystals in our bath. Each variety of crystal has a unique internal structure, which causes it to resonate a a certain frequency. Applying this resonance (crystals) in a coherent way can help to restore stability and balance to the body's energy systems, by stimulating the body's natural healing mechanisms. Crystal therapy is gentle non-invasive form of alternative healing works to harmonize mind, body, emotions and spirit to help increase our feeling of well-being.


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