Merijn's Detox Journey at Shantisom: overcoming his yoga fear

Yoga and Detox in Shanti-Som

Five cups of coffee a day, a deep fear of yoga, and allergic to anything even remotely ‘out there’. Meet Merijn, a city-loving guy who decided to push his boundaries and swap his usual urban adventures for a detox holiday. We caught up with him to find out what it’s like for a man to go on a five-day solo juice fast at Shanti Som, Malaga.

Juices, headaches and a daily enema

‘I didn’t get dizzy, but the first two days left me feeling a bit weak. The initial intake lasted an hour, but after 30 minutes, I couldn’t really take in much information. Surprisingly, not eating was easier than I expected. Despite cutting down on coffee before the trip, I still had a nasty headache for the first couple of days—that was a real eye-opener. I don’t drink much alcohol, but the guests who did really felt the effects of cutting that out too. The daily enema? Honestly, not as bad as I thought. It wasn’t complicated or scary. By the third day, I felt clean and refreshed, and I ended up doing the juice fast for four days.’

Delicious cuisine in Shanti-Som

Yes, I only did four out of the five days on the juice fast, but not because it was too difficult. The kitchen was serving up such mouth-watering dishes that I couldn’t resist trying them. By that point, I’d already lost eight pounds, so I felt that was more than enough. Plus, I wanted to gently transition my body back to solid food and focus on learning how to eat healthily.

A detox bath to indicate my body's toxins

‘I’m still unsure whether you need a detox to cleanse your body, but if you believe in it, it works. That’s true for a lot of things. For instance, at one point, I had to soak my feet in a special bath, and the water was supposed to indicate my body’s toxin levels based on its color. I don’t know if that’s science or just mumbo jumbo. Google didn’t help either! I think it’s more about committing to something, giving it your all, and seeing it through.’

Yoga classes at Shanti-Som

Every every day started with an hour and a half of yoga before 'breakfast'. The first day, my teacher was a yogi master who could practically tie himself into a knot. I thought, “Dear Lord, if this is what I’m up against, I’m out.” I was definitely the stiffest in the room! But after that first class, the rest of the week was great. There were some bigger guys in class who couldn’t stand on one leg, so it wasn’t the picture-perfect yoga session you see in magazines. Everyone was doing it at their own pace. The trick is not to overthink it, just do it.’

Yoga for men?

‘I hit the gym three times a week, so I’ve got the muscles, but they’re pretty tight. This happens to most men who lift weights or run. Yoga stretches and lengthens the muscles. It’s not about brute strength; it’s much more subtle. If you don’t have a strong core, it feels almost acrobatic. I found it challenging, but I was amazed by how quickly my body adapted. By the end of the week, I was much more flexible. While I don’t see daily yoga fitting into my busy schedule, I’m no longer afraid of it. I’ve benefited from the breathing exercises and the extra flexibility, and I plan to incorporate at least one yoga session into my weekly workouts.’

Would you recommend wellness holidays for men

‘I’m not usually the type to relax on holiday, so it was great that there was plenty to do. When you come back from a wellness trip, you feel genuinely rested, way more than after a city trip. Here’s how I see it: you can either go to an all-inclusive resort with endless greasy buffets, and return home with eight extra pounds, or you can go to a place like Shanti Som, eat delicious, healthy food, and come back feeling recharged and eight pounds lighter.’

What would men like on a wellness retreat?

For men, I would change the programme a bit. I would include more fitness training and eat solid, healthy meals instead of juice fasting. The kitchen at Shanti Som prepares beautiful dishes with fresh vegetables and fish, but juice doesn’t give you the protein you need for muscle recovery. Another highlight was meeting so many solo travelers. It was nice to have meaningful conversations with other guests, but you can also enjoy your own space whenever you want. It was the perfect balance.’

What did you take away from this experience in Shanti-Som

‘I try to live a healthy life, but I’m not perfect. Like most people, I make resolutions that are hard to stick to. Sometimes I eat too much or snack too often. I’ve cut back from five cups of coffee a day to three, or I switch to decaf if I want more. And I really want to start practicing yoga regularly, but I haven’t yet. See what I mean? I’m realistic—you do what you can, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. The beauty of a wellness holiday is that it gives you a kickstart. Like a reset for a healthy lifestyle. Without distractions, and with everything you need at your fingertips, it’s much easier to make healthier choices and set yourself up for lasting change.’

Interested in wellness holidays to Shanti-Som in Spain?