Protected: Edris Salon- A Conversation on Detox

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Life, Style

There was a time when healthy, conscious living was reserved for non-conformists and folks living off the grid. Times have changed! Now, healthy lifestyles are more in vogue than ever and increasingly relevant to all. From the First Lady to the man on the street and everyone in between, “wellness” is hot. What does this mean? Think beyond restrictive calorie counting, diet pills, and endless treadmills. Instead get creative, what does a healthy lifestyle look like for you? For me its yoga, clean food, and time with myself everyday. I’m feeling better my way, rocking this healthy life with style.

In pursuit of…

I can honestly say that one of my favorite things to do is travel. I’ve been all over the world- India, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Nicaragua, Turkey, and Egypt, to name a few. I find that traveling opens me up in interesting ways. I “open” to the experience of new people, new places, and new foods. I soak in every bit of it. I want to be immersed in the new place that I find myself. Also, when I’m traveling there is always a personal lesson to be learned. Through the act of letting go of boundaries while traveling, I find that little bits of myself come to the surface. During my last trip I found out that I really enjoyed talking with folks about their story. It’s surprising how similar people are.

I began the Healthy Traveler Blog last year to provide guidance for clients struggling with how to stay healthy while traveling. Even the simple act of eating in the airport one is bombarded with unlimited unhealthful options, choosing can be difficult. The Healthy Traveler Blog gives tips on how to navigate airport food choices, eating when abroad, and shares my personal experiences with new foods while traveling.

Sustenance

Sure I believe in “You are what you eat”. Let’s take it a step further and say “You are what you soak in”. Let me explain. Its important to eat a variety of whole foods in their most natural form and locally/humanely sourced whenever possible. How you eat your food is of the utmost important too. Eating mindfully, taking time, and savoring your food positively effects the way your body absorbs the nutrients. Your environment, who you surround yourself with, your job all contribute to your mood which determines how your body assimilates food.

How do you know what to eat? First follow the basics (to quote Michael Pollan- eat food, not too much, mostly vegetables) and secondly listen to your body. How do you learn to listen to your body? That’s where I can help.

Yoga

Intense pose? Yes. Impossible? No.

I began yoga 6 years ago without the ability to touch my toes. Through this rigorous discipline that is steeped in tradition I was able to progress steadily to where this picture was taken. Yoga is strength. Yoga is flexibility. Yoga is awareness. Yoga has a transformative effect on not only your body but your mind as well.

My personal practice is Ashtanga. Ashtanga is a system of yoga introduced by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This method involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures that produces intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.

Since receiving my certification, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with individuals to explore the boundaries of their own body through yoga. Whether its working with students in a private setting or classroom, the results are the same. Increased strength, flexibility, mental focus, and clarity in ones life.

Who me?

I came upon this installation while viewing the FLUXUS collection at MoMA. I was completely drawn to the intensity of the piece. Maybe because in some way, at one time, I could identify with the cardboard cutout who was overrun by seemingly important, non-sensical items. It also reminded me of many clients that I’ve worked with who’d struggled with a fixed two-dimensional view of themselves as workers & doers. These clients were overwhelmed by expectations, work/social responsibilities, titles, and “To Dos”. The missing dimensions in their lives were self awareness, enjoyment, space, freedom. I absolutely love working with clients to break out of their two-dimension view, to find clarity, and and to reconnect with themselves.

The Glow

As a nutrition counselor, I get asked every question in the book. How can I lose weight? How can I get better sleep? How can I have more energy? The question I love most though is, “Candice, how do I get the glow?”. What’s the glow you ask? It’s beauty, from the inside. You know when you see someone walking down the street with a swagger, a secret smile on their dewy face, unshakable confidence. Yeah, that’s the glow.

The glow comes from being connected to your body and feeling good in it. How does this happen? Well, let’s start with being connected to your body. I see so many people who objectify themselves. Instead of seeing themselves as a whole person, in their mind they’re broken down into parts………

Letting go

Detox is a form of letting go. Letting go of the foods that we cling to out of comfort or familiarity, letting go of the toxins that have accumulated in our bodies, letting go- in some cases- of our identities as smokers, meat eaters, daily drinkers. The act of letting go of all of these things for a day, a week, or a month allows us to see what we truly need. It can provide us with a sense of freedom of non-dependence on our vices.

I have been detoxing 4-6 times a year for the last 5 years. Although it may be difficult at times it is always, hands down, worth the struggle. Because when I ask myself do I truly need that glass of wine after a long day? I can say, no not really, but I am CHOOSING to have it because I want to.

Inspiration

Art is one of the many things I draw inspiration from. In the form of music, film, design, traditional, or street, Art is something I absolutely love. I found this piece, unexpectedly, on my last trip to Paris. I was walking through the back streets, I looked up and it was there. It made me feel curious, excited, and energized at the same time.

Inspiration can come in many forms. Anything really can move us in a special way.