Running the risk of getting drenched in random showers reminds us that we’re halfway into 2017. Yet, if you feel like you’re far from achieving any of your fitness resolutions, worry not. Young Bengalureans have it all sorted with their regimes and routines to inspire and let people in on their secret detoxifying mantras! The first thing that automatically comes to mind when one brings up the idea of a cleanse, is yoga. However, it has varieties and the latest trend in town for the ultimate detoxification is Kundalini yoga.
As city-based yoga instructor Zia Fariya claims, “The core of our existence is water and energy, which makes me personally believe that any kind of deep cleanse is impossible to attain without stretching and sweating.” Having been internationally certified for a while, she explains how the process works, saying, “The basis of this type of yoga is that the latent female energy is believed to lie coiled at the base of the spine. With dynamic breathing techniques and the chanting of mantras it opens up the chakras, making it easier to shed the entire day’s toxicity out of your soul.”
However, if you’re less spiritually-inclined, it’s not the end of the world for you. The city has come up with ample cafes, most commonly known as ‘zen cafes’ where one can spend time and indulge in the ultimate wind down. Starting from organic food, basking with natural lighting and greenery, these ambiences are aesthetically stimulating. “Our motto is all about minimalism, clean eating and Ayurvedic food,” says Shashank Kankaria, owner of one such eatery. “The youngsters like to eat healthy so we provide gluten-free menu, with ‘make your own’ salads, fresh sandwiches and sugar-free fresh juices.”
Detox cafes and eateries might still be a budding concept throughout the city, but what namma ooru doesn’t lack is the abundance of juice junctions. “If you’re all about the holistic diet and lifestyle, juices are the ultimate cleanse,” believes fitness expert and nutritionist Husna Banu. “Thanks to celebrity endorsements and promises of a quick fix, detox diets have quite a following. The overload of toxins that engulf our everyday lives includes processed and junk food, alcohol, caffeine, sugar as well as pollution. The reason typically given for a detox is to support the body’s inability to manage this overload, which might otherwise lead to weight gain, cellulite, bloating, fatigue and ill health.”
Yet, if a number of yoga sessions, pilates, organic food and juice cleanses later, your heart still yearns for more prospects to free the mind, body and soul, then you have specially curated detox farms in and around Bengaluru. “The idea is to provide an all-vegetarian, rustic environment that promotes wellness, and peace and organic lifestyle,” enthuses Aruna Kabra, owner of a similar farm. “Leave your phones behind, log out of Instagram and enjoy a sunset. It’s as important to treat yourself to a ‘digital detox’ to get you back on track!”
