8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Four stars for content, zero for feasibility, July 28, 2011
This review is from: The Seven-Day Total Cleanse: A Revolutionary New Juice Fast and Yoga Plan to Purify Your Body and Clarify the Mind (Paperback)
This is a good read, but a discouraging execution.
There are a lot of positive things about this book, and so, in spite of my low rating, I think it's worth a read. The cleanse comes from a yogic standpoint (no yoga experience required), the author emphasizes self-love, meditation, and personal growth. She also takes the time to point out that we (people about to embark on a cleanse) are not inherently toxic, and that a cleanse is an opportunity to take a breather (literally, as there is suggested pranayama everyday) and let our bodies and minds reset themselves. She frequently refers to your "self" (lower case, your physical being) and your "Self" (your divine self) and as a practicing yogini and meditator, I really appreciate that the author knows and understands how to explain to her readership the importance of both and the difference between them. She also coordinates the juices in hue to the seven chakras, and whether this is important or effective I can't say, but I like the continuity of focus. Also, the energetic quality of the writing is nice, I feel like the author is sincere, meditative, and wants her readers to succeed.
Great. So. What's my problem? In the introduction she writes that you don't have to take a break from your life to take on this cleanse. Damn right. Yogic practices are there so we can cope with our lives, not escape them. Of course you don't need to stop your life to take a cleanse! I was surprised she even felt the need to put that idea on paper. But then, when I read the Day One section (the base chakra) I read the following schedule:
7:30 Awaken, Sole`, Morning Journaling
8:00 First Broth
9:00-10:00 Yoga and Meditation
10:00-11:00 Creative Inspiration
11:00 First Juice
11:00-2:30 Free Time
2:30 Second Juice
5:00 Second Broth
8:00 Bedtime Ritual
In a most unyogic fashion, I kept thinking: WHO THE HELL DOES SHE THINK CAN DO THIS? Yes, she notes the times are suggested, and we should just try to stay as close the the schedule as possible. BUT REALLY? That's what I'm supposed to do while going to my full-time job, teaching yoga in the evenings, living with two other people and taking care of two dogs? I am so discouraged! Even if I could take the week off work, I still have other people and animals around. This schedule or any semblance of it it not possible for me or millions of other busy people who could REALLY use a cleanse! I can still do the fast, adding in meditations to Surrender my frustration as well as my toxicity. Om namah Shivaya.
A couple other things that I feel are worth commenting on: First, that yogis sometimes forget we are not scientists. There are a couple places in the book where she attempts to explain something scientific (like the reason a detox works) without science, or vice versa. Fellow yogis! Nothing tanks your credibility faster than this, just refer readers directly to the scientific studies from which you are basing your comments and move on! Secondly, and this is truly a personal preference only, she suggests, and to her credit, definitely does NOT insist on, colonics and enemas. She is not graphic, but I have a BIG aversion to invasive medical procedures, and just reading about colonics made me very light-headed, if you feel the same, be forewarned, you may wish to skip that short section altogether. Lastly, I felt like there was a little too much stuff to buy other than groceries. You probably already own more than half of what you need, especially if you are yogi, a cook, or have done a cleanse before, but still, you may need almond oil, mineral rich colored sea salts, essential oils, an eye pillow, craft supplies, a blank book, and if you can handle it, an enema kit.
So, basically, this is a nice read for any one interested in detox. This is a nice program for people who live alone, have no dogs or children or romantic relationships that need their attention on a daily basis, and have more vacation time than they know what to do with.
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