5-Day Fall Detox...The Yoga Way

It's Time to Clean Out the Closet...Fall is Here. As the leaves drop to the ground and we prepare for winter, it's the perfect time to let go of things that do not serve us anymore. 

It's also a great time to cleanse your body, mind, and soul by eating right, meditating and communing with nature. Nourishing your body, mind and spirit is an everyday event all year round. Between the seasons is the best time to cleanse and start anew as we go through this transitional phase.

Food is medicine
We can use food to keep us strong and healthy. Your body is a magnificent machine that carries you around all day. Your body is truly a miracle. It is important to clean out and purify your body once or twice a year. 

There's a powerful yet simple 5-day detox you can do that will keep you strong and your intestines in great shape. You will feel energized, your skin will glow and your eyes will sparkle. Strengthen, rejuvenate, and revitalize your body from the inside out! 

No more diets or need to step on a scale!

Let's have a union with our food, celebrate it and enjoy every bite. Detoxifying allows you to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is no need to be hungry. A good appetite is a sign of good health. Just change up what you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For example, breakfast could be steamed rice with almonds; lunch, eat a big salad with beets, carrots, beans, and walnuts; and dinner, enjoy steak on the grill with zucchini and broccoli.

Change your body composition and physiology. The 5-day detox program was designed by Claire Diab, Founder of The American Yoga Academy. “After 30 years of studying nutrition and dabbling in different diets,” says Ms. Diab, “I found this to be the best program to cleanse your body, mind and spirit before the holiday festivities begin. Best of all, it's easy to follow and implement into your daily life.”

Five-Day Daily Routine

•  Wake Up and "Break the Fast": Drink 8 ounces of water (room temperature) first thing in the morning.

•  5-10 minutes of breathing techniques: Belly Breathing, Rhythmic Breathing, Alternate Nostril Breathing. 

•  10-20 minutes of meditation.

•  10-15 minutes of movement (i.e. yoga, jogging, walking, cycling).

•  Drink warm water with lemon before breakfast to cleanse your lymph system and kick-start metabolism.

•  Drink water between meals.

•  Eat whole foods and give thanks before eating.

•  If you drink coffee, limit to one cup per day.

•  Stay present throughout the day.

•  Meditate in the evening.

•  Wind down after 9:30 pm with nourishing food choices.

•  Take a soothing bath before bed using oil and candles.

FOODS TO ENJOY

- Rice/Rice Pasta

- Rice Milk and Almond Milk

- Nuts & Seeds (avoid peanuts)

- Steamed Vegetables: Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Corn, Peas, Avocado, etc.

- Gluten-free bread & bagels

- Apples, Grapes, Berries, Watermelon, Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Celery

- Hummus

- All Beans

- Grilled Chicken

- Grilled Fish

- Sushi

- Salads (add Nuts, Beans or chopped steamed Veggies)

- Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Lemon

- Oatmeal

- Gluten Free Cereal

- Rice Cheese

- Low Sodium Soup 

FOODS TO OMIT

- Alcohol

- Dairy

- Bread

- Pasta

- Salt

- Wheat & Gluten

- Sugar (Alternative: Maple Syrup)

- Vinegar

- Sauces

- Fried Foods

- Cake, Cookies, Candy 

About AYA: The American Yoga Academy educates people on living Yoga in a Modern Way by infusing  ancient Yogic techniques and wisdom into daily life!  Yoga Teacher Trainings (200/500 Hours). at MONDO in Summit and AYA Studios in West Orange.

About Claire Diab Summit resident, Claire Diab, Founder of the American Yoga Academy (AYA), is an internationally recognized Yoga therapist. She is the director of the Yoga Program for the Chopra Center founded by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon. She is an adjunct professor of Asian Studies at Seton Hall University. She is the author of several books and DVDs on Yoga including “Yoga For Firefighters.”