The first time I did a cleanse, I had very little awareness of its importance. It had never occurred to me that I needed to flush toxicity from my body. I was brought up eating well, did yoga and had very few vices. Nevertheless, I was intrigued by the idea. The cleanse I chose to do is a variation of what I now offer as the Lotus Cleanse, which includes three days of organic raw foods, three days of juicing, cleansing teas, detox baths, etc. For one week, I took a break from my normal eating routines and ate and drank only the foods and juices for the cleanse.

Detoxification has become a very popular concept in our culture and it has become apparent to me that it is for a good reason. One, we live in a toxic world. Our bodies are continually bombarded with harmful pollutants that impair the proper functioning of our systems. Two, we eat toxic food. The amount of processed, inorganic and artificial foods we eat blocks our body's ability to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste. Substances that the body does not recognize and cannot break down get re-circulated in the blood and stored in the liver and fat. If we store too much, the body cannot function, resulting in disease and illness.

Our bodies have an innate ability to detoxify. Every single organ has a mechanism for cleansing. However, because of our personal choices and the overwhelming circumstances of our environment, the body can no longer cleanse on its own. We have to be help it out.

When I did my first cleanse, I had no idea it would so deeply impact my life. The results were astonishing! I felt rejuvenated and lighter. I had lots of energy, mental clarity and for the first time in my life, good digestion! I began to accomplish tasks and achieve long-term goals. I was much more emotionally stable and grounded. You see, when the body is overwhelmed by toxicity, you cannot feel what is healthful and what is harmful.  The cleanse helped me develop a new sensitivity to my body's needs and wants. When I could feel the impact that food was having on my health, I felt in control of my life. 

Was this all from cleansing? I realized that the built-up toxicity in my body was not only a physical blockage, but it was emotional and energetic as well. The cleanse opened a door to understanding that every part of my being needs to be cared for and that they directly influence each other. The food that I eat influences the thoughts I have, the emotions I feel, and the choices I make about work, relationships, my environment, and home. With the cleanse, my unwillingness to change lifted and I began to have the clarity and energy to make the shifts in my life that would direct me towards oneness, health and healing. 

Being a teacher of yoga, naturally I wanted to share the gift of healing. I have been offering this cleanse for five years and have seen students also make tremendous shifts.  From changing habits, to healing body issues, to cultivating more positive environments and relationships, I have seen students essentially love themselves more. And that is the most satisfying part of offering the Lotus Cleanse and teaching yoga. That is my purpose, to guide students to themselves, and nutrition and lifestyle is one very important aspect to becoming whole.