Use our wonderful healthy climate and facilities to say good by to pain, tiredness and the feeling of just not being healthy. The secret is a Detoxification - Inner Cleansing - Cure.
In my opinion these inner cleansing cures are the most effective way to bring back vibrant health and at the same time they are the best prevention of illness. There is no better place than here in Mexico to do them. You will find everything what you need: caring, supportive, professional people; complete facilities, quality. Everything in a mild warm climate and in an area where people are in general more happier and healthier - and that is - by itself – supportive and contagious in a positive sense. What is a detoxification cure and why is it so promising?
A sick body is a “toxic” body and if we want to heal this body, we have to first eliminate the sludge before a real cure can take place. Metabolic acidic waste substances are especially stored around joints and connective tissue (causing arthritis and stiffness), but also in inner organs, in arteries and in the lymphatic tissue. If a person is young or has sufficient exercise and a healthy diet, the body can eliminate these products by itself. But if a person has a sedentary life style, too much stress and a wrong diet, then the body’s own organs cannot eliminate these substances adequately. They block the normal function of regulatory mechanisms and that leads to ailments, pain and chronic sickness. The result is a typical problem in our modern society and life style.
It is a matter of fact that never before in history have there been so many people suffering from chronic illnesses that seem common in today's world: obesity, diabetes, allergies, irritable bowl syndrome, coronary diseases, cancer, arthritis. Most of them are illnesses that could have been avoided or prevented. We spend more money than ever on health care programs, our technical standard of medicine has never been better than now – but in spite of that – are we really healthier? We live longer, yes, but how is the quality of life of millions of people?
An Inner cleansing cure treatment based on Natural Medicine is easy to do and it is fun to see how fast you move into a healthier state, gaining more energy, sleeping better and having less pain and aches. Blood sugar level will drop down and high blood pressure will likely too. The cure can be done at home with the support of a health practitioner who creates an individual regimen plan for you. Or you can stay at one of the places in or around Guadalajara where they do everything for you, providing a wonderful fruit/vegetable-based diet and cleansing treatments. The cure can last from a few days up to several weeks. The more severe the condition, the more health problems somebody has, the more carefully it has to be done and certainly under the supervision of a professional.
Use of the five elements of nature to detoxify the body: water, air, sun, soil and herbal plants.
Nature provides us all that we need and these simple methods have been practiced all over the world for many centuries. For example, water in different forms and stages (as in a steam bath or sauna, foot and sitting bath); or soil in the form of mud packs; also herbs as teas or poultices. With proper breathing techniques and exercises, the cells get oxygenated and the variety of vegetables and fruits are used as natural remedies to bring back balance between alkalinity and acidity. Massage therapies will support the tissue cleansing. A major focus is also directed to intestinal cleansings and the re-establishment of a healthy intestinal flora. Other techniques help to cleanse the lymphatic vessels, like a morning firm brush of the whole body. Most important is also doing exercise of any form. Do whatever you like and what you feel comfortable with: a brisk morning walk, exercising in a gym with great music, or doing yoga, tai chi, pilates or spinning. The goal is to support the body in its own regulatory and healing mechanisms so that the immune system can function well and effectively. To undergo these cures, choose a time when there are not so many fiestas, birthdays, visitors and parties around. Create a plan with a quiet, strict time regimen that helps you to stay on track.
Try to support yourself with positive affirmations, avoid people who are negative or trying to talk you out of your dedication. Love and accept your body and keep that inside knowledge that it will work out perfectly. Losing weight is a “side-product” of these cures. So please don´t bother yourself by an anxious morning look at the scale. Your weight will come off anyway!
Why is this area so ideal for these cures?
It is not only the wonderful climate here, the colors, the plants and trees, the hot springs or the many people who work in the health care business, it is the overall happiness and friendliness – that inspires people to turn the page to a healthier life.
As I said, you can choose between a cure at home or at a clinic-like institution, Spa or Wellness Center in or around Guadalajara (all contact addresses are listed below).
If you decide to do it at home you can find support by:
Bilingual Mexican and foreign doctors, naturopaths and health practitioners who specialize in Alternative and Natural Medicine, Detoxification Cures, Homeopathy and Acupuncture, Chelation and Oxygen Therapy.
Mexican and foreign Healers, Shamans, Curanderas, Reiki and Touch for Health therapists.
Health food stores and pharmacies offer American as well as Mexican products of herbal and homeopathic remedies and supplements . They are all English speaking.
Supportive exercise facilities:
Change of Pace and Club Oxygen (see September issue of the newsletter), Yoga Classes and groups with Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Pilates or Spinning are available. Or move to music - alone, with a partner or in a group, in a dancing class or in a gym. For people who like to hike, there is a group that goes on trails regularly, so you can learn about different trails and you also can learn what you have to know in that particular nature environment. Golfing and horse riding into the hills and mountains could be another choice.
Massage treatments:
Massage is a basic procedure of detox cures. They help to get rid of toxins, sludge and waste substances that is stored in the tissue. Massage also helps to increase the blood circulation and therefore to provide more oxygen, which is a crucial factor for good health. We have many massage therapists in the area who give relaxation - or weight-reduction type of massages. But for people who ache all over or have lots of knots and tension in the tissue, it might be more beneficial to have deep tissue therapeutic massages, where they work specifically on trigger and tender points.
Lymphatic drainage is a specific kind of massage if somebody has edemas from being over-acidic, overweight or is suffering from post injuries or post fracture conditions.
Foot Reflexology helps you to feel good just being on your feet (and you will learn, why cobblestones are not as bad as you think!)
Thermal Water in San Juan Cosala (located 7 km west from Ajijic).
This place is like a gift that nature gave to us. You heal and recover while you are relaxing and swimming in soothing warm water.
The mineral water has therapeutic qualities. It is alkaline, and via osmosis it helps to balance acidity and alkalinity in the body. Especially when people have pain, moving and doing easy exercises in the warm water can loosen up stiff joints and will bring back more mobility.
Chiropractors are available if you feel something is “out” and you need an adjustment.
Beauty and cosmetic: traditional facials, facial sculpturing, pedicure and cosmetic surgery are all available at Lakeside.
In addition: nurture your soul.
In a very classical aspect, detoxification cures are focused on cleansing the physical body. But in my way of seeing it, I also include our whole being...with our emotions, our thinking and even the spiritual aspect. These cures should also help us to balance our emotional energetic field, getting rid of old past sludge that so many of us carry with us: resentments, guilt, bitterness. It is our experience, that with feeling lighter in our body, we also can feel lighter in our way of living and seeing things; and it will be easier to leave behind that which is only a load on our shoulders and cannot be changed because it is past. Learning to live in the present moment, in the here and now is one of the secrets for well being. Take the time to experience all these things and allow yourself to nurture your soul with something that you may have always wanted to do but never had time for before. Remember...it is a "time-off" for you – and only for you!!!
Therefore, I would like to include in this article also the possibilities our area offers regarding this aspect. As you might know, Ajijic and the villages around are like a magnet for people from different countries and cultures and with many different backgrounds: Singers, writers, actors, painters, scientists. Many of them like to share their gifts and knowledge and offer classes or workshops: discussion groups, chorus, theater, writers' group and art. So, you don`t have to suffer from waiting...you can spend your time active and experiencing new things in life in the Lake Chapala area. For example:
Dancing and Music is written in huge letters at Lakeside. Every night – that is true – every night you can listen or dance to a different band or musicians from all over the world...Mexican Music, loud or romantic, Oldies, Jazz, Country Western or Classical Music. We have a wealth of musical opportunities here.
Also “The Open Circle” is a Sunday morning open forum at the garden of Lake Chapala Society under a wonderful old tree. It provides lectures about body, mind and spirit. It is not a religious group and there is no membership, no charge. People who are listening to the lectures are generally interested in having a healthy life style. To know some of them can be a real additional support in your determination to get healthier.
Believe me: It is fun when you see how easily you can change to a state of better health. Going slowly but surely in the right direction is the main successful ingredient and, as I said, this is a wonderful place to do it. So just take the chance!
Barbara Rotthaler, German certified health practitioner, Naturopath.
Calle La Bandera 209, San Antonio Tlqp. Jalisco, Mexico
Tel. 01 – 376 766 1987
e-mail: b_rotthaler@hotmail.com,
website: www.geocities.com/rotthaler.health
Places to have Detoxification Cures (for information please contact me):
Instituto Vida Sana in Guadalajara, Tel. 01 333 6430884 and Rio Caliente Spa in Prima Vera, Tel. 01 333 151 0887.