by Yasmeen Harper

It’s easy to become overloaded with toxins from the chemical pollutants in our environment and from processed foods we eat. Even those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are not immune to toxicity build-up. This can lead to physical symptoms of sluggishness, weight gain and achiness, and emotional feelings of irritability and anxiety. If you find yourself experiencing these problems you can do much toward eradicating them by undertaking a juice cleanse or juice fast.

If you have fresh fruits and vegetables (preferably organic), a juice extractor, and the desire to feel cleansed and rejuvenated, you can do a juice detox. A juice fast is the more aggressive approach in which you refrain from eating any solid foods and partake only of juices for one day up to three days. The more moderate approach is to eat simply and sparingly of natural foods while including three or more glasses of homemade juice throughout the day. Follow this routine for three days or more (or indefinitely!). Always include plenty of water when cleansing as it is necessary to flush toxins from the cells.

When you make your juices, combine fruits and vegetables from all five produce groupings: yellow, orange, red, green and purple. This way you are assured of getting a balanced spectrum of the nutrients your body needs. Mix and match those colors and discover what great tasting, energy packed combinations you can come up with!

Since our body is sustained and rebuilt constantly at a cellular level from the material of the foodstuffs we eat, it follows that the nature of our physical body will reflect the nature of the food we put into it. Foods with a higher, more spiritual vibration will help to recreate spiritual vibrations in us, which will support and assist us in our hatha yoga and yoga meditation practices. Such foods are: fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, raw nuts and legumes. Foods to be avoided are: meat, especially pork and beef, alcoholic beverages (including wine), and anything processed, refined and prepackaged. These foods have a very deleterous affect on the body, mind and emotions.

After doing your cleanse, continue to keep your body, mind and spirit well nourished by including fresh homemade juices in your diet every day. Also, try to follow the guidelines of the foods to be avoided, listed above. You will find that such a routine greatly supports and enhances your practice of hatha yoga and meditation by keeping your body energized, your mind calm and your mood positive.