<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" Photo: Courtesy of Viva Mayr If you&amp;#039;re currently patting yourself on the back for finishing up that requisite New Year&amp;#039;s juice cleanse (bravo), how about raising the bar with a whole week devoted to detoxing every inch of your body? Whereas most people&amp;#039;s idea of a relaxing spa vacation involves fluffy white robes and never-ending self-indulgence, the famed Viva Mayr clinic in Austria is leading the way for a new trend in beauty retreats. Rather than the typical spa menu of mani-pedis, facials, and mud baths, Mayr&amp;#039;s treatments include colonic irrigation and kneipping, which involves bathing your extremities in very hot and very cold temperatures in order to increase circulation. Related: ELLE Editors Try Fad Diets So You Don&amp;#039;t Have To   Photo: Courtesy of Viva Mayr  The philosophy? It seems that Mayr is out to prove that beauty is not skin deep, but rooted in overall health. (The U.S.-based Canyon Ranch chain has a similar M.O.). Therefore, the treatments offered at the center\u2014which counts Rita Ora, Liz Hurley, and many other anonymous A-listers as past attendees\u2014are created with the intent to power-cleanse the body of all impurities. Upon arriving, guests undergo a series of doctor-administered tests in order to create a plan tailored to individual complaints. And while you can&amp;#039;t put a price on health, Mayr&amp;#039;s all-encompassing, highly-personalized regime comes at a predictably luxurious rate. Related: The Safe, Doctor-Recommended Cleanse You Should Actually Try  Photo: Courtesy of Viva Mayr But how extreme is too extreme? Daily Mail writer Alice Thomas recently wrote about her own experience with Mayr, and recounts the strict regimen: detoxing before her stay to prepare (no alcohol, carbs, caffeine, or sugar), the salt-infused drink that most guests are required to drink upon waking each morning to encourage elimination, IVs of vitamin C, and eating in silence for the sake of mindfulness. Massages are available, but with purpose beyond relaxation, like lympatic drainage and kinesiology. Much like juice cleanses have earned their fair share of criticisms as of late, it&amp;#039;s clear that this is a polarizing way to purify the body\u2014and, like it or not, there&amp;#039;s no denying that it&amp;#039;s not for the faint-hearted.  Photo: Courtesy of Viva Mayr Still, there is something to be said for the back-to-the-earth direction that the beauty industry seems to be hailing at the moment. Mayr exemplifies this; the practitioners at the center focus on all-natural treatments and supplements. And those silent meals? Such mindfulness stems from ancient Eastern philosophies, and, as Thomas contends in her review, actually promotes eating less, enjoying more, and giving your digestive system an easier time. So think of it this way: You are getting pampered, but it&amp;#039;s beneath the surface. Case and point: instead of running away gleefully from Mayr at the end of her stay, Thomas says that she feels balanced and healthy. That&amp;#039;s usually the goal of any run-of-the-mill spa, but since Mayr goes so much deeper, it seems likely that this rejuvination will pack a little staying power. And don&amp;#039;t let Thomas&amp;#039;s testimonial stand alone: even the most begrudging of writers have been transformed by Mayr&amp;#039;s magic, and, for what it&amp;#039;s worth, it gets a stellar rating from TripAdvisor. But should you find yourself time or cash-strapped at the moment, it wouldn&amp;#039;t hurt to practice a little bit of a similar philosophy on your own. You might find yourself inspired, for example, to go the Bey and Jay route and give veganism a try (with research! Please!), start replacing your afternoon chips with a green juice, or finally get the chiropractic evaluation your back has been aching for. Consider a quick yoga retreat for the upcoming MLK Day long weekend. And if Mayr&amp;#039;s guidance is truly what you feel you need, not to fear\u2014the center has published a book full of detox tips and practices, available for purchase on Amazon. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness/news/a25876/mayr-clinic-detox-spa-center-retreat/?link=rel&dom=yah_life&src=syn&con=blog_elle&mag=elm>