By Lauren Hogan

JUICE CLEANSES

If you feel like you've been eating badly or drinking too much recently then read on! Now is the perfect time for a detox as detoxing works best in the warmer months, VCleanse has many different flavours and types to choose from.

If you’re a first-time juicer, don’t fret, it might take a little more will power than you’re used to, but it can be done. You can also customize your cleanse to include a meal during the day. If you just can’t function without a snack or two, select nibbles – and even a cup of coffee – are given the okay in their handbook.

For more info and pricing visit www.vcleanse.com

CLEAR IT OUT

Another cleanse we recommend is American nutritionist Jessica Simkin’s Body Awakening, which is a great starter kit for those who just aren’t sure how to begin or what it’s all about. This detox kit consists of 9 elements like spirulina tablets, herbal tea and flax seeds as part of the program designed to promote weight loss, increase energy, reduce digestive maladies and improve skin. 3-5-day and intermittent day cleansing programs are offered and in the past, they’ve worked with groups like Body Concepts to do fitness/detox workshops. 

If you're wondering why cleanse? Here's why:

Cleansing is the practice of reducing toxic exposure while supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways. Our lungs, skin, kidneys, liver, lymphatic system and gastrointestinal tract constantly work to protect us from the plethora of toxins present in our modern day lives. Our bodies are designed to handle a certain amount of toxins. However, problems arise, and often illness occurs, when our main organs of detoxification become overburdened.

When the body is overburdened and not functioning properly, detoxification can become impaired. Toxins then begin to build up, often being stored in our fat tissues. These toxins damage our health and contribute to an endless amount of problems such as weight gain, digestive problems, skin eruptions, allergies, asthma, food and environmental sensitivities, headaches, fatigue…the list goes on and on. Cleansing allows our cells the opportunity to eliminate waste and repair damage, restoring balance to our bodies.

SWEAT IT WITH BIKRAM

If you’re just not keen on the cleanse, but really want to rid your bod of bad stuff, try a bikram yoga class. Bikram Yoga offers 90-minute classes that will have you feeling the heat. Said to burn at least 600 calories per class, when you finish you’ll look as if you just took a shower with your clothes on, but you’ll feel refreshed, invigorated and a whole lot healthier. 

Yoga places in Beijing:
Bikram Hot Yoga: www.bikramyoga.com. All classes are 90 minutes long, conducted in a specially designed heated studio (38C), and are beginner-friendly. Drop-in (RMB150) and membership also available.

Fine Yoga: www.fineyoga.com. Offering all types of yoga from professionals to beginners. Costs RMB 700 for ten classes, RMB 800 per month and RMB 6,000 per year. Classes run throughout the day and evening. Extensive workshop programs with world-renowned instructors are also offered.

Mountain Yoga: www.mountainyoga.cn. Offers yoga travel packages (USD200-980 per person), which include yoga on the Great Wall, vegetarian food, qigong instruction and herbal foot massage.

Nirvana Yoga Club: www.omyoga42.com.cn.  Offering small class sizes and has all different types of yoga from ashtanga, vinyasa, hatha and pilates. RMB 3,600 per 70 visits, annual card RMB 5,000 for unlimited visits.  hot yoga annual card RMB 6,000.

Yoga Yard: www.yogayard.com. Offering yoga classes at all levels, as well as pre- and post-natal yoga. Costs range from RMB 100 for a single 90min lesson, RMB 1,000 for an unlimited one-month pass and RMB 8,800 for a whole year.

Yogi Yoga: www.yogiyogacenter.com. Focusing more on stress management and meditation through hatha yoga. Private lessons available (RMB 300). Annual membership: RMB 8,500.

EAT BETTER - HEALTHY SNACK PACKS

If you consider yourself a snacker, but know you don’t always choose the healthiest options, this might be just what you’re looking for. Body Blast has partnered with Sprout Lifetyle to supply healthy snack packs and a new 7-day grazing pack that includes super foods and delicious craving-fighting goodies. Each pack is only RMB280 and includes 14 snacks of 150 calories each! Snacks include:

Homemade hummus and veggies

Raw berry vegan smoothie

Gluten-free digestive banana bread slice

Go raw spirulina bar and hydrating superfood drink (with Chia seeds and wheatgrass powder)

Wholegrain hot cereal drink

Digestive flax cracker

Acai berry bar and energy

Superfood drink

Superfood trail mix box

Founder Justis Lorenzo is a creative professional and qualified fitness professional, nutritionist, yoga instructor, dance choreographer and has certificates in neuroscience and psychology. His Body Blast program also includes several fitness classes to include Core Blast, Yoga Blast and Hip Hop Blast.

To find out more about the programs or snack packs visit impossibleexistence.wix.com/bodyblastfitness to learn more

GOING VEGETARIAN?

Spice your vegetarian meal up with seitan, a wheat-based product that’s high in protein. Serenity Seitan products – all natural, vegan, spiced and cooked – can be tossed on the grill, sautéed, thrown in salad toppings, baked and more. If you’re not sure where to start, the website offers recipe ideas like burritos, Italian hoagies and noodle soup. They’ll also be working with Spread the Bagel soon to do a buffalo seitan sandwich. Serenity Seitan is available in zesty Italian, savory and spicy Mexican flavors for RMB35-38/package. Order at Fields (www.fieldschina.com) or Kate and Kimi (kateandkimi.com). You can also catch founder Lindsey selling at Jiashan Market.

To find out more visit www.serenityseitan.com