Ekadasha - gentle cleanse

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There is an ayurvedic protocol that recommends a gentle cleanse 11 days after the new moon and full moon or 3-4 days before - however you see it.  This is not a fast but a day of light eating and rest - a time for rest and rejuvenation - a day when you are not at work but can take time to be easy with yourself and "do nothing". What a great idea!!! Doing nothing as an art has been lost in our culture. Just Being. Spending time your your Self. Gentle walks with the spirits of the trees. Letting the mind be free of clutter. Inviting guidance from the higher rhealms. If you already have a spiritual practice you can double up on this day. Doing some gentle stretches like yoga is also very beneficial.

Now as far as the diet: on the evening before have a light supper  - steamed veggies on a light grain like quinoa would work. Then do a 20 minute oil massage and 20 minute soak in hot bathtub. Before bed it is recommended that we take Triphala tablets. You can soak them in water first - they are very astringent tasting - not yummy is an understatement. You can also apply Prakrit cream to the spine to help the Apana Vata pull toxins down and out. 

Then on the day of rest - we are resting the digestive functions and also introducing foods that will nourish and eliminate unwanted debris. Eating veggies like Loki squash, Zuccini and other summer squashes, bitter melon, asparagus, daikon, taro root and okra. You can also eat kitcheree ( thin rice and lentil soup)

Rehydration drink: One hot keep in thermos - 1 tsp coriander see and 2 pinches of adjwain seeds in 1 of water.  The second rehydration drink is 1-2 liter or water with mints leaves, lime juice, couple pinches of soma salt, toasted crushed cumin seed and organic sugar to taste.

The next day you can introduce your regular diet but do not eat "dump food" that give too much work for your digestive system - well prepared veggies and grains and good quality protein are important.

The times of full moon and new moon are times of high Soma or lunar energy when there is more nourishing energy in the air - a good time for this process but some people do it weekly on their day of rest.

If you have any questions lets hear them!!!




Comments

  1. ChakriAugust 10, 2012 at 12:51 PM

    Nice blog, surprised western people are learning about fasting and Eka Dashi and people in India are forgetting these timeless traditions. Remember my grandfather used to fast twice on every month on Eka Dashi days.

    ReplyDelete

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