[ ] [ ] Friday, April 27, 2007 In Vedic City, Iowa: Detox with vegetarian meals, herbal supplements, steam baths and customized enemas. Photo by Mel Sauerbeck, The Raj 10 great places to detox, tune up, calm down It's time to rev up our metabolic engines and clean out our systems to gear up for outdoor activity. "There are health spas that offer detox programs designed to rid our systems of four kinds of toxins: the body's own waste products, dietary toxins like alcohol and caffeine, psychological toxins like stress, and environmental pollutants," says Anitra Brown, spa guide for About.com <http://spas.about.com/> . She tells Buzzy Gordon for USA TODAY about North American spas that specialize in getting the body running lighter and cleaner for summer fun. The Greenhouse Spa Arlington, Texas
The women-only Greenhouse Spa adds a "body reshaping" dimension to its Fat Flush Plan. "Detox is not the same thing as a weight-loss program," Brown says, "but undergoing detox usually results in some weight loss." This ultra-pampering spa's detox program, supervised by a naturopathic physician, features a low glycemic-index diet rich in cranberry water. No enemas here; herbal body wraps take on detox duties, while Pilates, aquatic fitness and yoga classes tone up muscle. 817-640-4000; thegreenhousespa.net <http://thegreenhousespa.net/> We Care Spa Desert Hot Springs, Calif. "We Care is the home of the classic California detox: a liquid fast, wheatgrass juice, purifying teas, fiber supplements and daily colonics," Brown says. "It's a relatively small and modest spa in a beautiful setting. You can get detoxifying spa treatments like lymphatic massage, plus yoga, meditation, and dance classes." 800-888-2523; wecarespa.com <http://www.wecarespa.com/> Hippocrates Health Institute West Palm Beach, Fla. "Bring pen and paper," Brown advises. "Hippocrates' Life Change Program is an educational detox experience." A one- to three-week program includes meditation, exercise and lots of lectures. No juice fasts, but there's a wheatgrass bar and enzyme-rich raw food for lunch and dinner. The Oasis Therapy Center offers colon hydrotherapy and other non-invasive treatments aimed at detoxifying and rebalancing the body and mind. 800-842-2125;hippocratesinst.org <http://hippocratesinst.org/> New Age Health Spa Neversink, N.Y. At this no-frills spa in the Catskills region, Brown says, "you can do your own juice and potassium-broth fast anytime, but it's more fun four times a year when you can do it with a group." New Age's Calming Cleanse package offers purifying spa treatments such as colon hydrotherapy, aromatherapy massage and mud wraps. Management is serious about detox: Get caught smoking and it's immediate expulsion with no refund and a $100 fine. 800-682-4348; newagehealthspa.com <http://newagehealthspa.com/> Elemental Embrace Brighton, Ontario, Canada The detoxification philosophy of this family-owned spa is based on Ayurveda, the centuries-old medical tradition of India. Ayurvedic detoxification known as panchakarma, or five processes focuses on systematically eliminating toxins from the body via the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems. This method, Brown cautions, is not for the squeamish about enemas. 866-212-9355; elementalembrace.com <http://elementalembrace.com/> The Raj Vedic City, Iowa The Raj offers a one-week version of Ayurvedic panchakarma by starting each guest on a diet before arrival. Guests are examined by an Ayurvedic physician, who uses pulse diagnosis to prescribe a detox program comprising organic cooked vegetarian meals, herbal supplements and specialized treatments of massages and steam baths, both enhanced with medicated oils. Customized enemas are available as well, Brown says. 800-864-8714, ext. 9000; theraj.com <http://theraj.com/> Regency Health Resort and Spa Hallandale, Fla. This seaside vegan spa features one of the more affordable, do-it-yourself detox programs, under the supervision of its resident medical specialist. It offers individualized water-and-juice fasting year-round, supported by yoga, meditation and water aerobics. But, Brown says, no colonics. 800-454-0003; regencyhealthspa.com <http://regencyhealthspa.com/> Sanoviv Medical Institute Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico "Sanoviv is actually a fully equipped holistic hospital, with spa, overlooking a beautiful beach," Brown says. "In addition to diagnostic tests and complete health assessments, it offers a one- or two-week detoxification and regeneration program overseen by a physician, a nutritionist and a psychologist." Patients and guests wear special toxin-free clothing and eat only raw foods; en-suite bathrooms are equipped for self-administered colonics. 800-726-6848; sanoviv.com <http://sanoviv.com/> Red Mountain Spa Ivins, Utah Once a month, this adventure destination spa offers a seven-night Detoxification Program with spa treatments, a personal nutrition consultation, lectures and a low-allergen diet. "This is detox lite," Brown says. "No fasting, no colonics." There is special emphasis on strengthening the liver, the workhorse of the body's detoxification system, by means of yoga postures, acupuncture and daily purifying smoothies. 800-407-3002; redmountainspa.com <http://redmountainspa.com/> Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center Patagonia, Ariz. This spiritual community in the desert is purposely underdeveloped no in-room televisions or phones and minimal artificial lighting. There are 10-, 17- and 24-day detox programs, starting with seven days of fasting on 100% organic "green juice" (made from a variety of grasses), followed by a diet of organic raw food. Guests also meditate, practice yoga, get lymphatic drainage massage and can detox in an Indian sweat lodge, Brown says. 866-394-2520; treeoflife.nu <http://treeoflife.nu/>
