Hello All! I just wanted to share details with you about the Spring Detox Day Retreat coming up on April 2nd, here at Sacred Mountain Waters. First I'll share with you about why regular gentle and supported detoxes are important, a little about my personal triumph over bladder cancer and then I'll share details of the retreat itself.
Why Detoxing Is So Important...
Regular and well supported detoxes are a critical factor in maintaining good health in today's age. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has inventoried over 86,000 man-made chemicals in our environment, many released with little or no testing on safety. Most of the toxin exposures we face have only been present in our environment for the last 60 years or so. These chemicals can be found in common items like our air, food, hygiene products, packaging and receipts, non-stick cookware, pharmaceuticals, and cleaning products.
While our bodies do have sophisticated systems for detoxing already in place, we have never faced levels like this before. Poor diets, alcohol, and toxic exposures are contributing heavily to the proliferation of disease we've been experiencing. These exposures overwhelm the body’s detoxification systems causing symptoms and disease. But, there is a lot that we can do about it.
My Journey With Cancer
I had been suffering with uncomfortable symptoms and mental anguish for four years from an unknown cause and after seeing six different doctors, two of them urologists, the cause was finally revealed: Bladder Cancer. It was a miracle that despite its size (the size of an egg) and the length of time it was there, it was able to be removed in its entirety with no further treatments needed. The doctor credited my health practices and eating habits that the tumor had not made its way further into the muscle wall in all that time. I'll spare you all the details, but it was a frightening dance with cancer but this tumor helped me to set course for a healthier life ahead.
I call this tumor “my teacher” because it was at the appearance of symptoms that I began to dig deep into what holistic health looks like, rather than simply pushing myself through a vigorous yoga practice and calling that self-care. Over that four year period, I learned about adrenal fatigue, digestive health, proper hydration, detoxing, Ayurveda (yoga's sister science of nutrition and health), and took my cooking game to a whole new level of clean-eating. I even earned my health coaching certificate through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I doubled-down on my health.
I'm a natural and in-depth researcher and once I got the cancer diagnosis, I finally began to understand how my previously stressful lifestyle, food choices, chronic dehydration, alcohol consumption, and toxic exposures put me at risk, along with a total lack of awareness around the accumulation of toxins in my system or how to properly support my detoxification pathways. But I'm awake now and that lifestyle will never again take my health from me. My eyes are open and I know how to navigate.
After surgery, I had to take it easy as my body needed a rest and making art was the best way I had to integrate all that I had been through. After four years of pondering, researching, and advocating my way through the conventional health system, my mind was exhausted and art became my new vice, my mental health practice, and my altar. I hope to share an online gallery with you all soon.
But today, life is very different. I've been able to bring my self-care into a new balance that includes all of my favored practices ~ intention setting, clean eating, regular detoxes, art as a mental and spiritual practice, and appropriate movement. Today, I stepped out into the fresh air and peaceful nature that surrounds for a short but sweet yoga practice. It was just enough to warm my body prior to sweating it out in the sauna. A gentle detox to celebrate my healing.
Health is the greatest wealth.
Check out the upcoming Spring Cleanse Day Retreat:
Spring Cleanse Day Retreat
April 2nd, 9am - 6pm
Marshall, NC
$111
Jump Start your Spring Cleanse with a detoxifying day retreat full day of:
2 hearty yet healthy detox-supporting meals
fresh cold-pressed juice
mountain spring water
detoxifying yoga class
Hot/Cold therapy in our cedar infrared sauna and the river plunge
Time to hike along the wild and natural land at Sacred Mountain Waters
Ayurvedic Cleansing Kichari Cooking Class
Detox workshop where we'll talk about the fundamentals of a healthy and well-supported detox. Topics include:
how the body detoxes
ongoing support for your detoxification system
how to limit exposure to toxins: endotoxins and exotoxins
how a solid foundation of nutrition from real food supports detoxification in the liver & easy ways to improve your every day diet
detox supporting foods & teas, with recipes!
how quality sleep relates to our ability to detox
In addition, Kichari packs to support an additional 3-day at-home cleanse, will be available for purchase at the retreat for $39. If you do not already know about the magic of Ayurvedic Cleansing Kichari, you will be well-versed after our class together.
We can also accommodate overnight stays ~ please inquire.
Space Is Limited: First come, first served.
Please email stephanie@mynurturedhealth.com to register.
Stephanie Toler is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, 20-year Yoga practitioner and E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor, and Chef with a passion for Ayurveda and all things wellness-related.