Retreat Rituals We Swear By
It's no secret that we love retreats and wish we could be on them every week. Since we can't, we love to incorporate some of our favourite retreat rituals into our daily lives to help keep us balanced, energised and glowing, all year long. Whether you choose to practice them daily, weekly, or even monthly, you're bound to reap the benefits.
Oil pulling
Oil pulling, or Kavala, is an ancient Ayurvedic cleansing ritual technique used to support detoxification. Before drinking any water, take 2 tsp of oil in your mouth (either organic cold pressed coconut or flax oil) and swish for a minimum of 5 minutes, up to 20. When you remove the oil from your mouth it will be a milky consistency - this is normal. Simply rinse your mouth with warm water and then brush your teeth. Oil pulling can balance oral pH, draws out fungi and bacteria, and assists the detoxification process.
Dry brushing
The lymphatic system is a critical part of the immune system and helps rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials. Unlike the cardiovascular system it doesn’t have a pump, so it relies on movement and changes in pressure to transport lymph around the body. Dry body brushing stimulates lymphatic drainage and helps eliminate toxins, sheds of dead cells and increases circulation to the skin, making it a quick and effective way to improve skin tone, metabolise waste, discourage fluid retention and help ease the appearance of cellulite.
Key benefits of body brushing:
— Exfoliation
— Breakdown of fat deposits
— Stimulates the natural moisture and balance of your skin
— Improves Circulation
— Helps elimination & detoxification
For the complete method, check out our post here.
Go plant-based (for a day or two)
Even the most carnivorous individuals agree that laying off animal-based products can do wonders for your health. We always encourage a plant-based menu on retreat, with an emphasis on seasonal produce, whole grains and healthy fats, to optimise digestion, promote energy, enhance detoxification, and give you healthy, glowing skin. Even just a day or two can make a huge difference in how you feel and give your body a well-deserved reboot from the inside out. Want to learn more? Sign up to the Membership and download our complimentary OMAD cleanse.
Cellular Hydration
It's no secret that the team at Artah HQ is completely obsessed with Cellular Hydration, and never more so than on retreat. From keeping cravings at bay to providing enough energy for a four-hour hike (not to mention the recovery afterwards!), Cellular Hydration is one of our favourite retreat rituals to incorporate into daily life.
How and when we use it:
1) During or post- workout
2) As a replacement for a 3pm coffee or snack (trust us, it works)
3) As a hangover cure - drink before bed (if you can remember) and first thing upon rising - you're welcome in advance.
Deep Detox
We like to always have a jar of Deep Detox in our bathroom cabinet for a little extra support when on a cleanse, travelling, or when we slightly over index on the festivities! Packed full of some of the most effective + well-researched herbal medicines, antioxidants and amino acids, Deep Detox is heavy hitter when it comes to supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways. Take 2 capsules in the morning or evening to protect your liver, aid digestion, and eliminate toxins.
Yoga
We always encourage low impact, low intensity movement on retreat to keep cortisol levels balanced and avoid too much stress on the body. One of our favourite ways to move? Yoga.
An incredibly nourishing practice both physically and mentally, yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system - commonly known as "rest and digest" mode - which controls our digestion, metabolism, and encourages relaxation. Try incorporating at least one vinyasa and one yin yoga session a week into your schedule to feel strong, stretched and balanced.
