As a dietitian living on the “westside” of Los Angeles I come across a lot of clients who ask me about cleansing. My response usually consists of some science based explanation about how the liver is the primary organ of detoxification faithfully backed up by the kidneys, that the body is perfectly capable of cleansing it self, etc, etc. But really, how could I answer that question truthfully without doing the research myself?

Up to this point I had never officially completed a cleanse. A couple of years ago I miserably attempted the “Master Cleanse” (the one where you drink lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper mixed with H2O) for two days before caving into eating actual food again. This put me off cleanses for a while. Then I signed up for Seane Corne’s Detox Flow Yoga Program, a three day workshop that included “specifically choreographed routines, focusing on proper alignment and breathing, stimulating the productivity of the vital organs to create an environment for toxic release.” On the first day Seane talked about cleansing and recommended the UEC Cleanse. I wasn’t entirely convinced and was really just there for the yoga. The next day I received a phone call informing me that the workshop had been cancelled for the rest of the weekend. Although I was disappointed upon hearing this news it got me to thinking about doing my own cleanse.

That day I ordered the UEC Cleanse Program and circled the “start date” on my calendar. I thought about all the excuses I had used in the past to not do a cleanse. Could I really give up alcohol, bread, sugar and *gasp* coffee for a whole week? For some reason it had seemed formidable before but this time it didn’t seem so bad. Plus the food list was kind of like strict macrobiotic vegan. Restrictive but not impossible to adhere to. I read through the UEC Cleanse booklet a couple of times, loaded up on fruits and vegetables and dug out my blender to make my morning juices.

Cut to - one week later. I have to admit that overall this cleanse was relatively easy. I had caught a cold right before it started. Since I was “cleansing” I didn’t take any over the counter cold medications for it. By the end of the week the cold was gone. I didn’t do everything the cleanse recommended. For example, on days two through four I was supposed to drink a liver flush concoction which I passed on. About three of the days I was only able to take the supplement regimen twice during those days as opposed to the recommended three times. I did stick to the foods list which I actually enjoyed. I only exercised twice during the week and took a couple of walks as well. I woke up feeling refreshed every morning, got tons of sleep and lost about two pounds. I did NOT do this cleanse for weight loss and don’t recommend doing a cleanse for weight loss. I actually did it to see how I would feel physically and mentally as well as relate to my cleanse loving clients.

One of the things that attracted me to the Detox Yoga Workshop was the exploration of “how making conscious and responsible choices- in all aspects of our lives- can help purify our body/mind, supporting optimal health and the numerous benefits provided as a result.” I think that perhaps this detox awakened a consciousness that has been lying dormant for a while. I spoke to a friend the day after I completed the cleanse. He said I sounded like I had more clarity. More clarity? Really? After only a week? What would happen if I were to continue these newly formed habits for the duration and mitigate the more toxic ones. Think of the possibilities…