Beyoncé, Sarah Jessica Parker, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian are just a few of the celebrities who have dropped a few pounds using juice detoxes.But the trend isn't just for Hollywood stars – the health benefits, weight loss and full mind and body cleanse associated with juicing are available to everyone – and there are plenty of retreats where you can combine a full detox with a week-long holiday in the sun.
HELLO! Online jetted out to Kaliyoga, perched in the picturesque Andalucian mountains in the South of Spain, to trial a six-day juice detox and see what all the fuss is about…
Kaliyoga opened in 2002 as a yoga retreat and has been repeatedly voted among the top ten of its kind in the world. So when upon arrival they tell you "you are invited to come to total rest, cleanse your body and mind and learn how to take care of yourself for the future" you know they mean business. "There are so many benefits of detoxing. Because of the lives we live we're likely to have a build up of toxicity in the body, and once that starts to release it means we can absorb nutrients better and we’re less likely to be reabsorbing toxins," explains yoga teacher and detox host Lely Aldworth. "We'll have increased energy levels, improved digestion, improved immune system, improved cellular repair – and generally they say that the benefits of a six-day detox can last up to six months. Sometimes people report improved eyesight, weight loss and less muscle aches and pains."
So what about the juicing itself? Well, there's a lot of it! All the juices are made from locally-sourced organic produce so what's in them varies from meal to meal. There are three juices per day plus a strained electrolyte vegetable broth in the evenings (they jokingly call that the sex drugs and rock'n'roll of the experience!) and meal times are a social affair, where guests can share their detox experiences good and bad.
In between the meals there's clysmatic colon cleansing twice a day, and one coffee enema and one probiotic enema per week. (They're not as bad as they sound and there's equipment in each bathroom for them to be done in private.)The day starts with a gentle wake up call of Tibetan bells (also used as a call to meals), which is a signal to get up and go through the morning rituals. These begin with body brushing – a mitt is provided – followed by a drink of hot lemon tea and a glass of barleygrass.
At Kaliyoga you're discouraged from using anything non organic on your skin. But don't worry too much about stocking up before you arrive – on your bed you’ll find a little gift pack with face cream, body butter, aroma soap, rose water and all over shampoo, all handmade and fragranced with pure essential oils and free from synthetic and petroleum-based ingredients.
As if you weren't relaxed enough, to further help the detox process there's a wide range of holistic therapies on offer. Thai yoga massage, quantum therapy, aromatherapy massage, foot readings and reflexology, biomagnetic therapy and mind body acupuncture and energy healing are just a few treatments you can sign up for.
After that it's down to the beautiful yoga shala overlooking the mountains for the first of two classes of the day. The second, which involves meditation, happens in the evening before broth and is a great way to unwind from the day.
The small groups – there's a maximum of ten people on a detox week – ensure you get plenty of personal attention and support from the on-site staff. From the first warm welcome to the fond farewell, the team go out of their way to create a friendly, homely and nurturing environment and to make your stay as peaceful and relaxing as possible.Detoxing is about far more than just dropping a dress size. It's a springboard to a new way of eating. There's so much nutritional advice given – in fact, there's a talk on detoxing and a talk on good nutrition and super foods – with an emphasis on making slight changes to your own diet to create a healthier you.The detox leaves you feeling energized and clear-headed, feelings that can last for months. And the fact that so many guests return year on year prove that a few hunger pangs are worth it in the long run.For more information or to book click here