If we find ourselves severely out of balance, Ayurveda says the cure is a mind-spirit-body cleanse. Panchakarma is a detoxification & rejuvenation program unlike any other.
According to Ayurveda, Panchakarma completely removes toxins from the body and mind. This method reverses any dis-ease path from its manifestation stage, back into the blood stream, and eventually into the gastrointestinal tract for ultimate removal. This is achieved with specialized food, herbs, body oiling and steam. At the completion of these therapies, special forms of emesis, purgation, and/or enema remove accumulated doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) from their sites of origin. Finally, Ayurveda rejuvenates-rebuilding the body’s cells and tissues after toxins are removed. An Ayurvedic cleanse spans 2-3 weeks and consists of three parts:
Purvakarma Preparing the Body
During Purvakarma you will eat a diet of only kitchari (rice and lentils prepared with veggies and herbs specific to your dosha). During this time you will also oil the body internally by eating ghee and apply herbal infused oils externally to your body. This softens and gathers ama (toxins) and excess doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) to their primary sites for easy removal from the system. This stage of your cleanse should be at least 5 days for best results but can be done with a minimum of 3 and maximum of 10.
Panchakarma Cleansing the Body
During Panchakarma you are eliminating all the stored toxins that have been gathered during Purvakarma with Bastis (gentle enemas) and Virechana (mild laxative herbs). This is a special part of cleanse where time and space are created for the internal process that comes with cleansing by receiveing 3-7 consecutive days of specialized body treatments including massage, shirodhara, herbal steams, chakra balancing, etc to clear the channels of the body through the sense organs.
Rasayana Rejuvenating the Body
During Rasayana you are restoring and rejuvenating the body. Building it back up with gentle foods and herbs to increase your digestive fire. This is the most crucial part of the process. Your digestive fire has been extinguished by purgatives. In order to prevent overloading your system (and undoing all the progress you've made), We must build your digestive fire back slowly, allowing for a gentle reintegration and improved nutrition assimilation.
Along with a mono-diet of Kitchari, taking Ghee internally, and daily self massage, the bodywork you receive after your 10 day pre-cleanse is designed to work with the 5 sensory channels, cleansing and bringing clarity to way you experience life.
During your Panchakarma you will come in for 3, 5, or 7 days consecutively for 3-4 hours a day to receive Ayurvedic Bodywork and Counseling. Every day begins with a Sea Salt Foot Soak, full body Dry Brushing, a Castor Oil Pack over the liver, and a short full body massage with copious amounts of warmed organic herbalized oils and concludes with an herbal steam box session. We will also choose from therapies such as Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Mud Wrap, PindaSwedanam, and Chakra Balancing to add to each day.
The human body experiences life through the 5 senses, each with it's own sensory organ. Panchakarma treatments are specifically designed to work with each sense organ, purifying the senses that we might experience life through a clearer lens.
Doing a Panchakarma requires a commitment to your health on all levels: mind + body + spirit
While nourishing and gentle in it's approach, Panchakarma can also be intense and requires dedication. It's rewards are life altering and you will be changed after the experience.
I strive to create and hold a very sacred space during this time of purification. Many traumas and discomforts, both physical and emotional, are held in the deep tissues of our body and when those toxins are brought up to the surface so are the emotions and physical symptoms. It is necessary to unearth our unhealthy patterns and examine them to truly heal. This can sometimes be an uncomfortable process to turn so deeply inward but with proper guidance can shift into a profound healing.
If you've decided a Panchakarma is right for you, please email me for details and to begin the healing process!