Toxicity May Be Throwing You Off Balance
By: Shaya Mercer, FNTP
Balance is a great test for toxicity. The more toxic the body, the harder it is to maintain good balance.
That’s why balance is one of the tests a police officer will give a suspected drunk driver to determine if they may be intoxicated.
Likewise, balance testing yourself -- when you are sober -- can be a helpful tool for assessing your body’s toxic load and can indicate if your body needs some spring cleaning.
THE BALANCE TEST
This test is not recommended if you have issues with your feet or legs that impair your ability to comfortably balance. If you have issues with only one leg, and it is safe to do so, you can test your balance on your healthy leg.
Here’s what you need:
A watch, clock, or timer that measures seconds
A level floor
A table or sturdy piece of furniture that is approximately table height (around 30 inches high)
If balancing on one leg is difficult, don’t attempt this by yourself, instead have a friend spot you so you don’t fall.
Here’s how to do it:
With your hand on the table to steady yourself, lift one foot off the ground by bending at the knee
When you are steady on one leg, lift your hand off the table and start the timer
Count the number of seconds before you become wobbly or have to steady yourself with the table or your other foot
If you pass the test with your eyes open (20 seconds or more without wobbling), carefully repeat the test with your eyes closed
Scoring the test:
Excellent - maintain balance for 20 seconds or more (15 seconds with eyes closed)
Satisfactory – maintain balance for 11-19 seconds
Poor – maintain balance for 5-10 seconds
Failure – maintain balance for less than 5 seconds
Eyes Open Test: _________seconds
Eyes Closed Test: _________seconds
If you score Poor or Failure with your eyes open or closed, a gentle and safe cleansing detoxification protocol is recommended. This test can be repeated during and following the protocol to measure improvement.
Considering the natural rhythms of the body, around the changing of the seasons — especially spring and fall — is the best times for detoxification and cleansing of toxins. Our ancestors knew this and many cultural and religious traditions of “purification” of the body, mind, and spirit are still in practice today. These include Vision Quests, Ramadan, Yom Kippur, and Lent just to name a few that you might recognize.
Fasting, cleansing, and detoxification are traditional human practices that were an integral part of supporting health and healing, however many of us living today are so busy and out of balance that it can be challenging to do in a meaningful way without feeling overwhelmed or downright sick from the process.
I am excited to offer the NWLM Spring Cleanse as an opportunity to slowly, gently and effectively support your detoxification as we come out of this winter of COVID-19, and the lack of activity and increased comfort eating (and drinking) that came with it.
This three month guided cleanse is a great way to begin to address the toxic build up that may have you feeling out of balance, literally and figuratively. So if you didn’t score well on the balance test, this may be just the opportunity you need to start to regain your footing. I hope you’ll join us!