Tag: Panchakarma

  • Panchakarma Results

    Panchakarma Results

    If you have been following along in the previous nine posts, you may be interested to hear the Panchakarma results I achieved following this experience.

    To recap, among other reasons, the main reason for me undertaking this was to heal the back pain I had suffered for over 20 years. And to build up my bone density so I was no longer at risk with osteoporosis.

    You’ll find links to all previous nine blog posts below if you want to revisit:

    I’m happy to say the back pain disappeared just a few weeks after my return from Nepal. It is now almost three years on since I undertook this first Panchakarma and I have remained pain-free. It seems like a long distant memory now of struggling to get dressed in the morning and the constant pain throughout the day. Thankfully!

    I got my bone density tested 8 months after my return and it had increased 6% in the spine and hips – this is with no medication.

    This medication I refused to take, by the way, has common side effects including low calcium levels, weakness, constipation, back pain, muscle or bone pain, anemia, diarrhea, bloating, rapid weight gain, seizures, swollen joints, difficulty with moving and breathing, skin problems such as eczema and blisters, and so much more. The warnings say you may also be more likely to get serious infections, such as skin, ear, stomach/gut, or bladder infection.

    This particular drug is injected every 6 months and the thought of something like this staying in my system for that long, considering the long list of side effects, frankly disgusted me. And how many unsuspecting people are prescribed this each year?

    Mountain Top Clinic, Nilgiris
    View from my room at the Mountain Top Clinic, Nilgiris, India
    Doing a Panchakarma is quite a radical step to heal one’s body and it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. However if there is a way to restore our body and mind back to how nature intended, isn’t it worth it?

    I have just done my second Panchakarma, this time in India at the Mountain Top Clinic in the Nilgiris. It was yet another incredibly healing experience and I’m looking forward to further improvements in my bone density. I have already noticed vast improvements in my energy levels, sleep, focus, and concentration and a few other small niggles here and there. And I swear I get younger every time I do one of these too πŸ™‚

  • Final Week of my Panchakarma Experience

    Final Week of my Panchakarma Experience

    The final week of this incredible Panchakarma experience and the last post of nine in the panchakarma series. If you missed the previous eight posts you can catch up by following the links below:

    The last two and a half weeks have flown by and I can’t believe I’ve only got a week to go, I could easily stay longer. I’m getting far too used to having daily massages, not having to cook or do any chores and basically just being spoilt rotten.

    Dhanvantari
    Dhanvantari

    For a change of scenery I ask to move rooms on my final week. A couple of the rooms are empty now and I spy a room I like the look of. It still has a lovely view over the lake and it has a bath which is a bonus. Fingers crossed the hot water sticks around.

    My new room is called Dhanvantari, meaning the God of Ayurveda, wisdom and love of life. I’m going to love this room! Not that I didn’t like Ganesh, just nice to have a change.

    My last morning Basti goes well and I’m very happy it’s the final one. My blood pressure on the last day is 85/60 and pulse is still 62. That day I have yet another whole body massage, a Picu, Siro Dhara plus another Ayurveda class, this time with Dr Kristina. This class is on food which again I find very interesting.

    Banana delight
    Banana delight

    The next day I have my last evening Basti, it’s quite a relief to have both morning and evening ones all done and dusted. I’m feeling really great and extremely clean inside! I still feel a bit weak but my blood pressure is on the rise at 90/70 the following day then 100/60 the day after that with my pulse increasing to 72 and weight now at 53kg.

    I’m back on the normal diet and Dr Rishi has also instructed the home ladies to make me a toasted banana every day now for afternoon tea. This is extremely yummy and cooked with butter, brown sugar and toasted almonds.

    Each day I complete my morning routines along with my early lakeside walk then I have various treatments throughout the day. One day I have a whole body massage, a Picu, head and foot program, a Chakra Basti and a Siro Dhara all in one day – talk about spoilt! This Chakra Basti focuses on my Swadhisthana chakra which is located at the coccyx.

    I have a rest day scheduled for the Thursday however I ask Dr Kristina if I can move some of the treatments from later in the week to the morning of my rest day as other days are very full. So on my rest day I have a private Yoga session, a follow up consultation, a spinal program and a Chakra Basti – this one focuses on my Vishuddhi Chakra (throat centre).

    Tonight I sadly say goodbye to a lovely lady I’ve got to know the last two weeks from Denmark. We were planning on spending the afternoon walking up to the Peace Stupa. However some big rains hit then later on a huge thunderstorm – so pleased we didn’t get caught half way up.

    World Peace Pagoda

    World Peace Stupa
    World Peace Stupa
    We get a beautiful view of the Peace Stupa from the happy house. Balanced on a narrow ridge high above Lake Fewa, the brilliant white World Peace Pagoda was constructed by Buddhist monks from the Japanese Nipponzan Myohoji organisation to promote world peace.

    I may try and fit this in before I leave otherwise I have a feeling I’ll be back.

    Sirovirecana

    Today begins the last step in my Panchakarma process – Sirovirecana. During the next four days I will get the subtle therapies that focus on my sensory organs. The basic aim is to provide relaxation, cleansing and rejuvenating effects to these sensory organs and also to the brain, nervous system, perceptions and inner intuition.

    The Sirovirecana program includes the following three therapies:

    • Karnapurana (ear irrigation).
    • Herbal nasal smoke and Nasya (deep nasal and sinus irrigation).
    • Netratarpana (eye irrigation).

    I am given all three therapies for four days in a row and it takes one hour to complete each day. Before each daily session I have my normal massage to prepare for them.

    They are administered by Dr Kristina who starts off massaging my ear areas and the sides of my neck before adding a warm herbal oil into each ear then massaging it further all while lying on the massage table on my back.

    I then turn on to my stomach with my face in the massage table hole, while a fire is set below sending the medicated smoke into my nostrils. First cumin seeds are added to the fire, then ajwain seeds (this one burns slightly), coriander seeds, black pepper powder (another burner) and finally medicated ghee with artemesia leaves. It’s not unpleasant but also not something I’d make a habit of doing regularly.

    Turning again to my back, Dr Kristina gently massages my nasal area and sinuses before adding a special nasal drop preparation, about 7 drops to each nostril. She massages again after the drops then shakes my head to jiggle it around inside – that feels a bit weird.

    Library
    The Library on the treatment room floor. Guest rooms upstairs and dining and reception downstairs

    Finally the eye irrigation and this is definitely not pleasant. After the gentle eye massage, small ‘glasses’ are made around my eyes by shaping flour dough into small rings, this is to form ‘dams’ in my eyes to keep the liquid in place. A mixture of triphala ghee and medicated oils is then slowly dropped into each eye and I am then instructed to open my eyes and perform various eye exercises, with breaks in between each one. This can be quite painful and I feel a burning sensation in my eyes. It doesn’t last too long and before I know it the ‘glasses’ are removed and my eyes are bathed in a calming warm solution.

    After the Sirovirecana therapies are complete, I then rest for about 10 minutes in the treatment room then am told to rest my eyes for two hours, wearing dark sunglasses. I’m not allowed to expose them to bright lights, hot sun, cold air or polluted areas or look at any mobile devices, computers or books.

    The outcome of these therapies is to feel a deeper silence, tranquility and expansion of happiness within.

    During these four days all the yummy treatments and yummy foods continue along with my daily routines and long lakeside walk.

    Himalayas
    Another peak at the Himalayas on a morning lakeside walk

    On the final day of my Sirovirecana, I enjoy my usual early morning walk on the lakeside. This morning I’m greeted by a particularly clear view of the Himalayas. I’m pleased to see the wee puppy this morning as I haven’t seen him for a few days and was starting to get worried! I wonder if my fellow walkers/joggers will notice I’m gone after Wednesday.

    Panchakarma Experience Reflections

    Preparing to leave I think about the last few weeks and all that I’ve been through. It’s been quite an amazing Panchakarma experience and something I’m really happy to have done. I can definitely see myself doing a Panchakarma every one or two years. Dr Rumee said for a one week Panchakarma it is recommended to do one yearly and for a three or four week one then every two years is sufficient.

    I would love to come back to Nepal, specifically Pokhara. Badri told me, when he was here, they have bought a large piece of land higher on the hill above lakeside, about a 20 minute drive from here. They plan to build a new centre there within 4 or 5 years. They are also building a new centre in Kathmandu in a forest area which sounds a lot nicer than the city itself where their current centre is. He said they are getting more and more popular and need to expand to cater for the demand.

    What has impressed me most about the Ayurvedic Health Home is the attention to detail, the cleanliness and the efficiency of how everything is run. All of the doctors and the staff are very caring by nature and no one ever seems in a hurry to finish a treatment, consultation or class.

    Something that I also really appreciate here is that the therapists always wash their hands before doing the facial massage. When I did my Aromatherapy diploma training this was always so important and really drilled into us. I find it odd that with some massages I get back home, many therapists don’t always do this.

    I mentioned earlier in a post that two of the founders are Dr Rishi and his brother Badri. The third founder is a German lady, Marlies Foerster. She has been responsible for the training and professional guidance for developing organisational systems, quality-control and staff-management. This side of it certainly shows as the centre is run like a tight ship.

    With a background in professional health care since 1962, she worked as the Head of Nursing at a large hospital in Dusseldorf, Germany. She managed the continuing education programs for health care professionals and worked for many years as Chairperson of the Federal Working Party of Head Nurses.

    Since August 2000 Marlies has been living in Nepal, working with Dr. Rishi and Badri Koirala to establish the Ayurveda Health Home, the pioneer and first professional Panchakarma Centre in Nepal and has helped to bridge the traditional culture of Nepal with the European and foreign guests.

    Since I have been here I have met guests from Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, England and the US so it certainly attracts people from far and wide!

    My final Sirovirecana is administered by Dr Rumee who is now back from Kathmandu. Before that to prepare, I have my last 90 minute whole body Abhyanga given by Sarita which is fitting as she performed my first one the day I arrived.

    It’s a full house that evening at the dinner table with four guests from the US, two from Germany, one from England and me.

    The Grande Finale of my Panchakarma Experience

    It’s my last day here and I’m treated like a queen! My three hour treatment starts with a 75 minute whole body Abhyanga. This is then followed by the most amazing treatment of the last few weeks – a whole body oil bath. I have seven therapists in the treatment room to administer this!

    Tail Dhara – Pizhichil (Whole body oil bath)

    This bath gives the feeling of completeness and totality. The culture of oil baths is very ancient in Ayurveda and is highly regarded in the classics. This practice is still found in traditional families and especially in South India.

    In this process a silent and calm environment is created with a relaxation massage being given first. A group of therapists then enters the room, maintaining silence, and bringing collective peace and a meditative energy with them.

    The environment thus harmonises with the therapy procedure. Two therapists, working with the same rhythm and healing energy, pour a stream of warm Ayurveda oil from the feet to the neck and vice versa along with massage. The soft, smooth, slippery and gentle touch with oil and therapists’ love continues for one hour.

    It gives a feeling like being in a mother’s womb – smooth, soft and free deep inside. The prime energy of healing is gently nurtured and stimulated throughout the treatment, resulting in a feeling of wholeness, self and transcendent love, and happiness.

    It treats the following conditions:

    • People who desire the growth of inner healing potential source.
    • To cleanse and rejuvenate their system.
    • Avagahana Sveda (Herbal tub bath).

    To finish off, I am immersed into a herbal bath filled with rose and other flower petals both in the bath and decorated around the bathroom. I relax here for about half an hour, soaking up the wonderful feeling of having successfully completed my first Panchakarma experience and knowing how healthy all my insides must be right now. I’m feeling pretty blissed out!

    The bath treats the following conditions:

    • Muscles pain, cramps, stiffness.
    • Joint swelling, deformity, and pain.
    • To induce sleep.
    • To cleanse the body and improve circulation.
    • To calm the mind and body.

    In the afternoon I have my final hour long consultation with Dr Rumee and I also speak to Dr Rishi on Skype later that evening.

    My blood pressure is now 100/70 and weight 53.7kg and my ama (toxins) are pretty much clear now. I do still have some issues with my agni (digestive fire) but am told this will calm down in a week or so as long as I take things easy and continue on a good diet.

    They both offer me very good advice on where to go from here with my diet and lifestyle which I take copious notes on. Dr Rumee also gives me a written sheet of instructions and said she will be in contact in a few months to follow up on how I am going with everything.

    I have a few goodies to take home including a six month supply of herbal tablets for my bones that will slowly increase the density now that my body is receptive to healing and will easily absorb the herbs. This will also help with my skeletal issues.

    I’m now feeling ready to come home as I’m missing Paul and the kitties after being apart for so long.

    After almost a month of wonderful treatments and total body cleansing I’m feeling fabulous. I wonder if I can sneak a therapist and a homelady into my luggage!!

    Thank you to everyone who has been following along on my journey and for showing such an interest in all I’ve been going through in my Panchakarma experience.

    If you’re interested in reading about the Panchakarma results I achieved from this experience, here’s the link to the post below:

    Panchakarma results

    Namaste πŸ™‚

  • First Glimpse of the Himalayas

    First Glimpse of the Himalayas

    The beautiful Himalayas feature in this eighth post in the panchakarma series. If you missed the previous seven posts you can catch up by following the links below:

    Himalayas on Morning Lakeside Walk
    Morning Lakeside Walk

    I’m feeling pretty good after my first Basti day and set off on a lovely long early walk along the lakeside after I’ve completed my daily routines. As I round the corner near where the boat goes over to the Barahi temple, I suddenly see the snow capped Himalayas peeping above the foothills. I’m so excited, apart from the plane journey this is the first time I see them.

    For some reason I had decided to not take my iPhone today so I rush back to the happy house to grab it but by the time I get back they’re mostly covered in cloud – shame! Oh well, I still feel very excited that I got to see them.

    I head back again in time for breakfast then after that I’m off again to see if they’ve appeared but to no avail. Instead I amuse myself in the shops and discover a great book shop along with some other interesting shops. There’s certainly no shortage and I could amuse myself for days – which I do!

    My afternoon brings another Citz bath, another fantastic sychronised cleansing massage and a Picu.

    That evening after my early dinner, I have my first evening Basti, it’s shorter than the morning one which is a good thing. Two down, six to go!

    Weakness Setting In

    Dr Samichha, Dr Rumee, me and Badri
    Dr Samichha, Dr Rumee, me and Badri

    Up before sunrise I head down to the lakeside for a pleasant morning walk. I’m feeling quite weak and slow today so take it pretty easy. I’m back in time for a quick shower then my second morning Basti at 6.30am which goes well, now I’m used to it it doesn’t seem as daunting.

    My blood pressure today is 100/60, no wonder I feel a bit weak. I have another nice long rest before breakfast and treatments.

    Today is the first day, apart from my rest day, that I don’t have a whole body Abhyanga (hot oil massage). I feel quite hard done by – that is until I discover that instead I have a head and foot program in the morning and a spinal program plus a Chakra Basti in the afternoon.

    Before my morning treatments I have a follow up consultation with Dr Rumee. She gives me an examination then takes my blood pressure which is 110/70, slightly higher since my morning Basti.

    My weight has gone down and is now 52.3kg which seems very low, all that cleaning out I guess! I comment that I feel it is too low and she says after the Bastis I will start to gain it again with the food they prepare for me. She said around 55kg would be good for me.

    We discuss how my overall health is and how I’ve been feeling with all the treatments. I ask if the massages can focus a bit more on my neck as it’s still feeling a bit sore and tight so she will pass that on to the therapists for all future treatments. We also go over some of the breathing and yoga practices that will further help the back pain which I’m very pleased to say is improving.

    Head and Foot Program

    Now onto the morning treatments. The head and foot program consists of a 30 minute Padabhyanga (foot massage), a 30 minute Siro-bhyanga (head massage) and a foot bath.

    Padabhyanga

    The foot massage stimulates all the organs of the body and increases the Ojas (life-giving cumulative essence of the body). It produces a state of deep relaxation and a sense of well being to the entire system.

    Feet are the polar energy parts, which communicate with mother earth. Tiredness from a long day’s work and fatigue accumulates in the feet. Generally we neglect and disrespect our feet, failing to touch our feet with love. This leads to a further burden of negative energy and tiredness. In addition, the related organs become fatigued and consequently the productivity of our life is reduced.

    Therefore, Padabhyanga (foot massage) is very important in providing a means of purification and rejuvenation of the whole body. In this relaxation massage you may experience the release of blocked energy and feel tranquil.

    It treats the following conditions:

    • Tiredness and fatigue.
    • Individuals seeking relaxation.
    • Rejuvenation effect.
    • Siro-bhyanga

    Siro-bhyanga

    The head massage provides relaxation, releases stress, and rejuvenates. The Sira (head), where the brain lies, is an important part of the body. It is the master of all neurological, sensorial, mental, emotional and spiritual functions.

    There are important special energy points located on the head. Siro-bhyanga massage incorporates specific Ayurveda oils and techniques to help release stress from the head and provide nutrition to the brain. Regular head massage is a routine practice in Ayurveda.

    It treats the following conditions:

    • For relaxation.
    • To improve sleep.
    • To improve concentration.
    • To improve brain functions.
    • Stress headache.

    During the head massage, my feet are immersed in a bowl of hot water full of rose petals with my feet resting on hot stones.

    After a pretty boring lunch of thin rice soup I enjoy my afternoon session of treatments.

    Spinal Program

    The spinal program consists of a 30 minute Relaxation Spinal Abhyanga and a 30 minute Picu treatment on my spine. The spinal abhyanga helps to improve the flow of energy, release stress, improve the movement of the spine, and allow a greater understanding from within.

    The spine is the sheath of Chakras, from where all Nadis (nerves) are distributed to the periphery. Ayurveda recognises the significance and importance of maintaining and improving the function of the spine. This Abhyanga massage uses different applications of oils, herbs, and techniques.

    It treats the following conditions:

    • Tired and fatigued states.
    • Simple blockages.
    • Stress accumulated in the back.
    • To provide relaxation and tranquility.

    Both the spinal and the head massages I have today really zone in on my neck so by the evening it is feeling wonderful and pretty much pain free.

    After the spinal program I am then treated with my all time favorite Chakra Basti and the chakra of focus today is the anahata or heart chakra. This is yet again an amazing experience and it is performed by Badri who is the brother of Dr Rishi and another co-founder of the Ayurveda Health Home.

    Badri splits his time between here and Kathmandu and along with being Managing Director, he is also the Chief Therapist. With an extensive knowledge of Ayurveda and classical Ayurvedic therapies, Badri provides instruction and training in the Panchakarma therapies and also foundational courses in yoga. With an attention to detail and a caring heart, Badri oversees and maintains the quality control of all the therapies.

    Tonight I am lucky enough to have a hot shower, the last two days we’ve had no hot water partly due to the cloud cover meaning the solar power hasn’t been topped up, and also due to the many power outages because of the heavy thunderstorms along with monsoonal rains.

    When I arrived I noticed there were candles in the rooms which I thought was a lovely touch, little did I realise how handy they would become!

    Sunrise over the Himalayas

    Himalayan sunriseThe next few days I get into the routine of having my morning and evening Bastis on alternate days. They get easier each time and the beautiful treatments I continue to have every day more than make up for any discomfort.

    My daily routines have become, well routine! I have it down pat starting with the the eye exercises, eye wash, oil pulling, tongue scraping, pranayama, neti, meditation, yoga then the lovely lakeside walk.

    Sometimes I mix it up, if my morning Basti is at 6.30am, I do my yoga later in the day. I also have three more private sessions with Dr Kristina on Foundation 2 yoga which I very much enjoy.

    On the Monday, four of us get up at 4.15am to watch the sunrise over the Himalayas in Sarangkot. We’ve been waiting for a clear day and two of the ladies leave on Tuesday so it’s great timing for them.

    We share a taxi that takes around 30 minutes to wind up the steep 1592m mountain to Sarangkot. Not the most comfortable trip. Most of the taxis here are very small Suzukis and much of the road is potholes due to road construction so certainly a bumpy trip with three of us squeezed in the back.

    Sarangkot sunrise

    Sarangot sunrise over the Himalayas
    Sarangot sunrise over the Himalayas

    Once we get there we climb a set of steps leading further uphill to the dramatic viewpoint in the ruins of an ancient fort. When we get there we’re greeted with a panoramic sweep of Himalayan peaks, from Dhaulagiri (8167m) in the west to the perfect pyramid that is Machhapuchhare (6997m) and the rounded peak of Annapurna II (7937m) in the east.

    We’re there for over an hour as the sun rises, transforming the peaks from a purple-pink to a celestial gold. A truly amazing experience and one I feel very privileged to have witnessed.

    Sarangkot is also the launching place for paragliding over the Pokhara Valley and the Lake Fewa. There is also a zip-line down to the Tibetan settlement at Hemja. Maybe I’ll save that one for another trip!

    We’re back ‘home’ just after 7am and the rest of the day is filled with shopping and treatments. I have another spinal program and Picu in the morning and a head and foot program in the afternoon following by a Siro Basti.

    Siro Basti

    This basti is more like it! It improves the flow of prana (energy) for the better functioning of the brain/ senses. It is a medicated oil treatment for the head. The crown of the head is encased within a special type of material which is secured around the forehead and entire scalp. By doing this a small basin is created on top of the head. Warm, medicated oil is then poured gently inside and is left for some time to penetrate the scalp while Dr Kristina does her thing with the singing bowls – awesome!

    It treats the following conditions:

    • For Vata disorders (my dominant constitution).
    • To improve eye conditions and diseases.
    • Facial paralysis.
    • Diseases of the head.
    • Brain haemorrhage and clots.
    • Tremors.
    • Insomnia.
    • Migraine.
    • For the improvement of brain function and in degenerative conditions of the brain.

    That day is finished off with an evening Basti – six down, two to go!

  • Let the Basti begin!

    Let the Basti begin!

    Post seven in the panchakarma series is all about the Basti. Thank you if you’re still with me! If you missed the previous six posts you can catch up by following the links below:

    Daily sunrise karate classMy morning routines are now becoming a habit followed by my lakeside walk. I’m starting to see the same people walking each morning as the sun rises. I’m not sure if they recognise me but it’s an interesting assortment including a couple of young Nepalese girls in tracksuits, a mother and small son, an elderly gentleman with a topi (traditional hat), a group of young girls and boys practicing karate (seven days a week I might add), a group of ladies in their saris always deep in conversation and a couple of young guys hard at it jogging. There’s even a group of dogs I see every morning including the cutest wee puppy! This morning they’re playing tug of war with an old sock or something.

    So long pancakes!
    So long pancakes!
    Today is my last normal food day for eight days so I’m stocking up inside – might be a bad idea with what’s to come however!

    My treatments today include yet another wonderful 90 minute Abhyanga with Penu then a Chakra Basti with Penu and Dr Rumee.

    Chakra Basti

    The Chakra Basti is simply amazing! This process provides subtle nutrition to the Chakra, it helps to improve the function of the Chakra and alleviates the diseased or stressed organ associated with the particular Chakra. It is followed by a gentle massage of the energy points.

    The Chakras are the energy fields in the subtle body and govern the subtle elements, sense organs and organs of action. They possess corresponding energy fields in the physical body and the nerve plexus to govern gross elements and to maintain life.

    In their heightened or spiritual function, they awaken the subtle sensory and motor organs to which they relate, giving us the experience of the subtle world and higher states of consciousness.

    Physical diseases relate to imbalances in the outer Chakras which function through the various nerve plexus and endocrine organs. Psychological diseases involve imbalances in inner Chakra functioning.

    There are five places for the application of Chakra Basti:

    • Mooladhra Chakra (Root Centre)
    • Swadhisthana Chakra (Pubic Centre)
    • Manipura Chakra (Naval or Solar plexus Centre)
    • Anahata Chakra (Heart Centre)
    • Vishuddhi Chakra (Throat Centre)

    My Chakra Basti today focuses on my Manipura Chakra. I have four of these treatments during my stay so will cover most of them. I also have a Siro Basti in my program which is the crown chakra, on top of the head, so my chakras will be well taken care of by the time they’ve finished with me!

    The treatment involves the shaping of flour dough into a ring and placing it around the desired Chakra area, in this case my naval. It is secured into a dam-like structure and warm medicated oil is gradually poured inside. While this is going on I have singing bowls placed on and around me and Dr Rumee ‘plays’ these while Penu pours the warm oil onto my belly.

    As I said before, this treatment is simply amazing, I thought the Siro Dhara was the pinnacle but I think this tops it. I’m not really sure how to describe how I felt but it was almost like I was transported to somewhere and I seemed to be floating on a cloud. I guess you had to be there!!

    The benefits of the various Chakra Bastis includes:

    • Improves and balances the function of the Chakras for subtle spiritual growth.
    • Helps to improve the function of neurons and the endocrine system.
    • Helps to pacify the disorders of those organs which correspond to the Chakras.

    I’m so chilled out from the Chakra Basti that I spend the rest of the day lazing around reading but I do manage a short walk later in the afternoon before dinner.

    Ahhh, the end of another fabulous day.

    Now to the Real Bastis

    Local sign on morning walk to prepare me for basti
    Local sign on morning walk. Something to keep in mind for the next 8 days!
    Technically the Chakra Basti is a basti, however the next bastis I experience are the true Ayurveda basti treatments that are at the crux of my particular Panchakarma journey.

    This Basti is the second main procedure of my Panchakarma.

    I am to be given two types of Basti, one early in the morning and another on the next day in the evening. During these Bastis, cleansing and rejuvenation work simultaneously to clean and habour the function of the colon. This is a deep healing procedure that works into the subtle cellular level.

    Asthapana Basti

    My personal hot water bottles
    Personalised hot water bottles!
    The morning Basti, Asthapana Basti, is cleansing and is an irrigation of a medicated concoction of herbs into the colon. The procedure starts with Doctor Rumee taking my blood pressure and pulse. On this first day my blood pressure is 100/60 and pulse 62. She then gives me a stomach massage for around 10 minutes then places a couple of hot water bottles onto my abdomen (hot fomentation). These both stimulate the stomach to help the flow of energy.

    While Dr Rumee prepares my individual herbal concoction, my therapist for today, Sarita, gives me a foot massage, also lasting around 10 minutes. This is followed by the colon irrigation then I am to rest for 15 minutes on my right side before letting nature take its course!

    After a while, I retire to my room with a thermos of Cumin and Ginger tea which will help with any stomach cramps. The rest of the day I take it easy and relax with some more wonderful afternoon treatments.

    Anuvasana Basti

    The evening Basti, Anuvasana Basti, is the irrigation of special herbal oils into the colon. The goal of this evening Basti is rejuvenation. It helps to improve tissue health and give the necessary healing information to all the tissues.

    For the next eight days I have four morning and four evening Bastis on alternate days. I also have a special diet on these days as my digestion is weak so the food that is prepared for me will restore my weak digestion and soothe the alimentary tract.

    Boiled Apples for afternoon tea as part of the basti diet
    Boiled Apples for afternoon tea
    The morning Basti day is very similar food to the Virecana food I had previously. Soupy basmati rice that gets thicker as the days goes on. Breakfast is a very thin rice soup with no spices and lunch gets a bit thicker with the addition of ghee, ginger and rock salt. In the afternoon I get a bowl of boiled apples with spices then a couple of hours later I am allowed Kitchari (rice, lentils and vegetables with various spices). This is always very welcome!

    On the evening Basti days I get a light to normal food diet. Boiled apples and porridge for breakfast and lunch is lentil soup, rice, some sort of vegetable dish and a raw chutney.

    Dinner is early so I have time to digest it, usually one hour before the Basti, and this is plain basmati rice with steamed carrots and zucchini. Later in the evening I then have a bowl of vegetable soup.

    It’s not too bad but at the end of the eight days I’m very much looking forward to ‘normal’ food again!

    The afternoon of my first Basti I enjoy more pampering of yet another 90 minute oil massage, then a Picu followed by the super relaxing Siro Dhara. This somehow makes the shock of my first ever Basti quite bearable.

  • Deeper Dive into Ayurveda

    Deeper Dive into Ayurveda

    Today I dive even deeper into Ayurveda. This is the sixth post in the Panchakarma series.

    If you missed the previous five posts you can catch up by following the links below:

    It’s Easter Day at home but feels far from it here after just having celebrated the New Year. I start the morning with a lovely long walk around the lake to discover more new areas in this fascinating city.

    I have a full day ahead with private Yoga and Ayurveda classes in the morning then almost 3 hours of treatments in the afternoon.

    The Ayurveda class that Dr Rumee leads along with Dr Samichha is excellent. Although I’ve been immersing myself in Ayurveda of late, with books, podcasts and other online resources, I learn many new things to further my knowledge in this absorbing field.

    Aside from the history and what Ayurveda actually means, I learn about the five elements of space, air, fire, water and earth; how these five elements work with our five senses; the three biological humors also known as doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha); and their characteristics and functions as well as their relation to the five elements.

    The marathon of treatments this afternoon starts with a Citz Bath. The purpose of this is to clean and rejuvenate the basic energy points by sitting in warm herbal liquid. This bath is both cleansing and therapeutic in nature. It is followed by another 90 minute oil massage of which I’m getting very accustomed to.

    Siro Dhara in Ayurveda

    Siro DharaNext on the agenda is a Siro Dhara. My first ever and it is pure bliss where I spend half an hour drifting between consciousness and unconsciousness.

    Siro Dhara helps to achieve a total sense of balance by using the flow of natural oil on to the forehead. This is a distinctive Ayurvedic treatment that calms the mind and relaxes the central nervous system. In Siro Dhara, a continuous flow of Ayurvedic herbal oils or therapeutic liquids are dripped onto the forehead.

    A metal vessel, known as a patra, is suspended directly above the forehead. The oil or therapeutic fluid is poured into the pot and seeps through a hole onto the centre of the forehead, also known as the ‘third eye’.

    This classical treatment is meant to be maintained at a certain rhythmic speed while awakening the third eye. This treatment can initiate miraculous healing.

    The many benefits of Siro Dhara include:

    • Helps to evoke deep cognitive memories and restore good health.
    • Enhances memory, clarity, comprehension, concentration and creativity.
    • Very good for relaxation.
    • Assists meditation and gaining benefits from meditation.
    • For headaches, migraines and sleep disorders.
    • For stress, and anxiety.
    • Rejuvenates the senses and mind, and improves brain functioning.

    Week 2 Already

    Tal Barahi Temple
    Tal Barahi Temple, Pokhara, Nepal
    It’s hard to believe I’ve been here for a week already. Another great start to the day with a longer than usual morning walk further down lakeside. I discover even more new areas including the Tal Barahi Temple, the Royal Palace and an army base (not that I can see over the walls of the latter two).

    Seeing the army base reminds me of something interesting I read in the Lonely Planet about the Gurkha soldiers. It might seem like an odd leftover from the days of the empire, but the British army maintain a recruiting centre on the outskirts of Pokhara (not this particular army base I walked past this morning). Every year hundreds of young men from all over Nepal come here to go through a rigorous selection process to become a Gurkha soldier.

    Prospective recruits must perform a series of backbreaking physical tasks, including a 5km uphill run carrying 25kg of rocks in a traditional doko basket. Only the most physically fit and mentally dedicated make it through and it’s not unheard of for recruits to keep on running with broken bones!

    Gurkhas are still considered one of the toughest fighting forces in the world. They have carried out peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Sierra Leone. These soldiers form elite units of the Indian army, the Singapore Police Force and the personal bodyguard of the sultan of Brunei.

    The primary motivation for most recruits is money. The average daily wage in Nepal is under $2, but Gurkha soldiers earn upwards of $1500 per month, with a commission lasting up to 16 years and a British Army pension for life, plus the option of settling in Britain on retirement.

    Back to my day after that brief interlude into military trivia!

    I’m very excited as I have two days ahead of a normal food diet which includes fresh fruit, porridge and pancakes for breakfast and dessert for dinner along with the all the other yummy food they always serve. Yay, no more rice soup – for two days anyway!

    More Ayurveda Treatments

    My treatments in the morning include another Citz bath, another 90 minute oil massage (Abhyanga) and a Pinda Sveda. Yet another type of Ayurveda treatment to experience.

    A Pinda Sveda is a dry type of sweating. In this treatment, hot sand is prepared in boluses (soft, round balls wrapped in a cloth), which are used to stamp on the desired body part after my oil massage. This is performed by two therapist and it treats the following conditions:

    • Swollen and inflamed joints.
    • Joint pain, arthritis and deformity.
    • Muscle aches, cramps and lethargy.

    Rooftop YogaI only have one of these treatments during my stay which I’m quite pleased about, once was enough!

    I have the afternoon free so I ask them to set me up a place to do yoga and the only free space is the rooftop. There’s a nice breeze and a pleasant view of the lake.

    Pokhara Pedicure

    Pokhara pedicure
    Don’t zoom in!
    Later that afternoon, as if I’m not getting enough treatments here, I take myself off into town to get a pedicure. That was quite an experience, I must be used to the efficiently run ‘happy house’. I have to say it was the worse pedicure I’ve ever had! Oh well, my toes look pretty, at least they do if you don’t look too close.

    That evening we have a group meditation on rooftop after dinner lead by Dr Samichha. A very pleasant way to end the day.

  • Virecana

    Virecana

    Welcome to Virecana day! This is post five in the Panchakarma series.

    If you missed the previous four posts and you want to catch up, you’ll find them below:

    Now I have completed the preparatory procedures (Purvakarma) for stage one, I’m ready for the main procedure (Pradhanakarma) which is called Virecana.

    The main objective of this is to expel morbid substances, dissolve systemic physiological and emotional toxins (amas) from the circulating channels (srotas). It creates a healthy environment for the subtle transformation and nourishment and also provides the best healing opportunity.

    Virecana is a therapeutic purging which helps to expel toxins from the central part of the body (liver, gallbladder, pancreas and intestines – the Pitta system). It is very effective for releasing digestive and metabolic load produced by different forms of food, emotional impulses or reaction.

    I am told to welcome this awakening phenomenon!

    The evening prior to Virecana, I am given a prepared herbal powder to take with a glass of warm water just before I go to bed. It tastes pretty foul so I drink it quickly then brush my teeth before hopping into bed – not quite sure what to expect.

    I awake around 5am and perform my daily routine. At 7am I meet Dr Rumee who shows me into a therapy room where she takes my blood pressure (now down to 100/60) and pulse as well as asking me a few questions on how I slept, how I’m feeling and so on.

    She then gives me a stomach massage while Paru, one of my regular therapists, gives me a foot massage – so far so good I’m thinking!

    After the stomach massage I have a couple of hot water bottles placed on my abdomen (hot fomentation) then I am shown some special exercises to perform. Next I am given a rather nasty tasting herbal concoction to drink, far worse than the night before.

    Without going into too much detail, shortly after downing two glasses of this concoction it certainly had the desired effect of releasing!

    Congee riceI am told to rest for much of the day which is easy as I’m feeling quite drained. A thermos of cumin tea is sent up to my room for me to sip on along with hot water. I am supposed to have breakfast at 10am but I fall asleep. I’m woken around 11am with a bowl of very watery and plain rice soup (congee). I’m not particularly hungry but they encourage me to eat some. I snooze on and off then lunch is sent up around 1pm which is not so watery rice soup.

    For the next three days, my diet of rice soup gets thicker and thicker and gradually spices are added then finally on the third day, there are vegetables added then at dinner, lentils (kitchari).

    I also have a bowl of boiled apples each afternoon which I find very enjoyable.

    That evening there was a huge thunderstorm which feels quite fitting to how I’m feeling after quite a grueling day. I feel very cosy and snuggled in, listening to the wonderful sounds of thunder rolling in over the mountains.

    At times it was difficult to tell the difference between the lightning and the New Year’s Day fireworks going off down by the lake.

    Rest day

    Kitchari
    Kitchari never tasted so good
    Saturday is a rest day but I do have a consultation with Dr Rishi who arrived that morning from Kathmandu. We sat down, along with Dr Rumee, for over an hour and he asked me many more questions about various health and other issues. It’s a very interesting discussion and he gives me some insights into why I have suffered so much back pain over the years and also why I have osteoporosis.

    He believes that I have a certain amount of stress in my life (doesn’t everyone?) which compromises the circulation to my muscles, joints and bones and this is a contributing factor to my health issues. My poor sleep and poor digestion are another factor and all of this and more will be addressed during my stay here.

    I have full confidence in him and his team and this Panchakarma process. I understand that this is a lifelong adjustment I need to make and once I’m back in the real world there are many practices I will continue to enhance my health and further my healing.

    Dr Rishi Ram Koirala

    Dr Rishi Ram Koirala is an M.D. Ayurveda physician and is Medical Director at the Ayurveda Health Home (AHH). He has more than three decades of professional experience as a practicing Ayurvedic physician following 12 years of university study in Ayurveda and Medicinal plants. Dr. Rishi has successfully treated a large number of people both in Nepal and worldwide. He has a devoted following amongst those interested in Ayurvedic Medicine. Dr. Rishi is also a spiritual healer with deep roots in Nepali traditional medicine which he inherited from his healer-family.

    Dr Rishi specialises in Panchakarma therapy management and is a skilled diagnostician providing in-depth health consultations, according to the principles of Ayurveda. Dr Rishi was an Executive Board Member of the Nepal Health Research Council and a member of the High Level Health Policy Advisor Committee of the Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal.

    In addition, Dr Rishi is widely consulted as a resource person for many institutions, both public and private, in Nepal and globally. I have also noticed some books in the library here that he has authored.

    We have some new arrivals today to the happy house who are from Queensland. This is the group who were on the original trip that I had booked and they have spent the last week traveling from Kathmandu to Pokhara via Chitwain National Park and Bandipur. Their trip sounded interesting but they seemed very pleased to have arrived here at last. Due to landslides on the way, their bus journeys were far longer and dustier than anticipated.

    That evening after dinner, we have a group meditation led by Dr Rishi.

    Coming in the next post is New Year’s Eve and Easter Sunday. All in the same week!!

  • Pokhara Exploration

    Pokhara Exploration

    In this fourth post in my Panchakarma series, I begin to explore Pokhara further.

    If you missed the previous three posts, you’ll find them below:

    Day 3 is much the same, I begin my day with the medicated ghee at the increased dose of 50ml. I perform my daily routines that I was shown the day before including eye exercises and eye wash, oil pulling and mouth washing, pelvic exercises, breath awareness, yoga, breathing practices, meditation and neti – phew, how will I find time to fit all of this in when I’m back in the real world! Some of this I do alone and some I have the guidance of Dr Rumee again.

    Lakeside Pokhara

    In between these routines and breakfast I wander down to the lakeside for a pleasant walk and to check out the surroundings.

    Pokhara is a naturally beautiful city, the second biggest in Nepal after Kathmandu and most probably ten times more peaceful and clean. It has a prime position beside the deep green lake Fewa, nestling among forested hills with a picture-postcard backdrop of gleaming Himalayan peaks.

    I have yet to see these peaks. Since I’ve been here they’ve been covered in misty clouds so I’m hoping for at least one clear day so I can head up to Sarangkot for sunrise. This is supposed to be spectacular.

    Lakeside PokharaThe scene at Lakeside Pokhara, which is a short 5 minute walk from the “Happy Home”, is very chilled out. I notice lots of funky cafes and restaurants as well as some pretty interesting shops that I will definitely need to return to.

    There are lots of yoga schools and adventure sports shops. I read somewhere that Pokhara has the best paragliding venue on the globe. No wonder I see so many every day from my room or whenever I’m down at lakeside.

    One thing I notice the first time I head out for a walk is my shortness of breath on the most gentle of hills. I Google the altitude of Pokhara and discover it’s 1,400m so quite different to the 46m I’m used to in Noosa.

    Let the Treatments Continue

    Also on the agenda for today is another wonderful 90 minutes massage and a Picu treatment – ahh, another relaxing day.

    Day 4 and final medicated ghee day. This time I get two cups of hot ginger tea to mix my ghee concoction with making it a bit easier to get the increased dose of 60ml down.

    I head back to my room to finish off my morning routine activities. Afterwards I meet Dr Kristina downstairs for my morning breathing practices and neti.

    I’m feeling a bit dizzy today so she takes my blood pressure which has dropped slightly from 120/80 on my arrival to 110/80. Nothing to be concerned about but she said Dr Rumee would take it again tomorrow morning.

    Time for breakfast which is the usual yummy porridge and steamed apples. I could definitely get used to being cooked for at every meal. The chefs lovingly prepare for me exactly what my body needs.

    I enquire about cooking classes during my stay but unfortunately they don’t offer this. I’m welcome to hang out in the kitchen whenever I want to observe though. The ‘homeladies’, as they are affectionately called, are all very nice as are all the staff here.

    The homeladies take care of all the cooking and cleaning, then there are a number of office staff who look after our schedules and anything we need during our stay.

    Naturally there are also many therapists both female and male. Female guests only get treated by the female therapists and the male guests the male therapists. They are all highly skilled in Ayurvedic therapies and I’ve had some of the best massages here I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot! Plus I’m a trained Aromatherapist so I’m very familiar with the various massage techniques.

    There are four doctors – Dr Rumee, Dr Kristina and Dr Samichha who are based here in Pokhara permanently. Dr Rishi co-founded the Ayurveda Health Home, first in Kathmandu almost two decades ago and later the Pokhara center in 2009. I have not yet met Dr Rishi but he is due to arrive in Pokhara in a few days. We have a long consultation scheduled in for then, which I look forward to.

    Rooftop yoga

    Rooftop yoga overlooking PokharaI don’t have a private yoga session today so I do my own practice. The yoga room is busy so the office staff prepare the roof top room for me which is very pleasant and there’s an even better view of the lake up there. It’s directly above my bedroom and slightly above the new building that blocks a lot of my view.

    Lunch is another delicious delight – tasty pigeon pea soup followed by extremely yummy vegetable burgers, sweet carrots, fried cauliflower and onions and a beautiful green tomato chutney.

    I think I’m finding food particularly exciting as I know today is my last ‘real food’ for a few days. I am soon to embark on Virecana – the main procedure of the first stage in my Panchakarma. More on that in a later post.

    My afternoon therapy today is another goodie. A full body scrub by two therapists then immersion into a hot steam tub. Nothing like a good detox to get me further prepared for the big purge.

    I have another wander down to the lakeside and check out the New Year’s Eve scene going on down there. Tomorrow begins a new year in the Nepalese calendar and the year date is 2074.

    New Year's Eve in PokharaDr Rumee explains to me that the Nepalese calendar started 57 years before ours. I’m wonder if that makes me 110 years old? Or am I still 52? Either way I know this Panchakarma will do wonders for my longevity.

    That evening as I drift off to sleep, I hear the wonderful sounds of Nepalese music and chanting. In fact this started quite early in the day. At one stage the chanting then turned into a huge group singing ‘Wonderwall’ – not what I was expecting! There is the usual chorus of dogs barking in the night too, not quite as relaxing as the chanting!

    In the fifth post in this series, you’ll discover the Virecana. This is the main procedure of the Panchakarma. Pretty full-on to say the least!!

  • Panchakarma – Snehana

    Panchakarma – Snehana

    In this third post in my Pachakarma series, I discuss Snehana.

    If you missed the previous two posts, you’ll find them below:

    The next day begins my three days of consuming medicated ghee – internal Snehana. Certainly not the most palatable concoction but a necessary first-step to dealing with my ‘ama’.

    I meet Dr Rumee downstairs at 6.10am for my prepared morning delight! This specialised procedure of Panchakarma falls under the category of Snehana (Oleation) Karma. This internal Snehana is done by drinking ghee and oils cooked with herbs specifically prepared for me.

    The objective of taking this medicated ghee is to circulate the properties of the herbs into the cellular level. This softens internal residual toxins, to open circulating channels enabling the toxins to flow through these channels and reach the digestive system.

    Basically the ghee acts as a vehicle to take all the toxins to the digestive system or the intestines where they will later be purged.

    The dose I take is to be increased each day. The first day I take 40ml, the second day 50ml and the final day 60ml. This is traditionally mixed with warm milk. However, as I don’t particularly like milk they make a refreshing ginger tea for me to mix my internal Snehana treatment.

    The initial taste is hard to describe, slightly pungent and the sensation of drinking oil is a bit odd. All in all, it’s not too bad and I down it fairly quick smart followed by a refreshing cup of hot water.

    Heading back to my room to rest and meditate for an hour, I am prepared to meet the doctor again for our hour long consultation.

    Dr Rumee takes me into a treatment room and asks me various questions about my health, past and present, my childhood, major issues and what I want to get out of my Panchakarma treatment.

    She already has all of this information but wants to go over it together. Dr Rumee then takes my blood pressure (120/80), performs percussion on my internal organs, examines my pelvic and back area and other parts of my body in great detail.

    Dr Rumee then demonstrates how to perform daily pelvic exercises that will balance my hormones and strengthen my internal pelvic area, in turn helping to deal with the back pain. These are to be done every morning for the duration of my stay and to be continued when I return home.

    Dinacharya

    Collection of daily goodies to perform my Dinacharya
    Collection of daily goodies to perform my Dinacharya
    The session followed immediately after, is my Dinacharya demonstration.

    Dinacharya is the daily routine. This daily routine helps establish balance and harmony and is very health promoting. It allows the body to be in tune with nature’s cycles.

    I am shown how to perform daily eye exercises followed by eye washing. The benefits are to improve eye function, give strength to my eye muscles, give relaxation to the eyes and improve vision.

    Then I am shown how to perform oil pulling and mouth gargling. Ayurveda advises oil pulling to purify the taste buds and the entire system. The tongue is the mirror of the whole digestive and metabolic systems. That is, each section of the tongue is connected to the kidneys, lungs, spleen, liver, heart, pancreas, small intestines, stomach, colon and spine.

    Thus, an oil-mouth-massage soothes and stimulates the key meridians where taste meets organ. Simultaneously, as in any skin massage, the inner skin and lining of the mouth, palate and tongue become warm and supple and the lubrication prevents dryness.

    The specialised herb oil used here is Pitta (one of the three doshas/constitutions) predominant energy, which means bodily fire. This is involved in the whole metabolic transformation process. So it helps to digest or metabolise ama (undigested or un-metabolised food or stress).

    At last I am allowed breakfast shortly after 9am. My food plan for the next three days while I’m on the medicated ghee is a light to normal diet which I actually find very substantial.

    Ayurveda spicesBreakfast is porridge cooked in ghee, brown sugar and cooked apples with various spices including cinnamon, cloves and cardamom.

    Lunch and dinner varies, always starting with a Dahl soup, some sort of grain such as rice or couscous, chapati, vegetable momos and a selection of steamed or fried vegetables. These are usually cooked in very tasty spices plus there is always a fresh chutney to finish it off.

    Later that morning I have my first yoga session with Dr Rumee. We start with breath awareness, followed by Foundation One yoga poses. I find this very basic compared to the yoga I have done, on-and-off for around 30 years. However I understand the necessity of going back to basics. The pranayama breathwork ends with Bhramari (deep humming bee sound) and OM chanting.

    At the end of this session the doctor then guides me in using a neti pot to cleanse my nasal passages. The first seven days I am to use a warm milk concoction, not the most pleasant activity I have done considering my dislike of milk. I’m sure there will be worse to come however!

    This practice detoxes the nasal passages and sinus area and is the quickest route in the body to the brain helping clarity of thought. The neti pot is also added to my Dinacharya.

    Abhyanga and Picu vs Snehana?

    AbhyangaThat afternoon brings the most amazing massage treatment – a whole body synchronized Abhyanga cleansing massage that is performed by two therapists.

    Absolute bliss! Being massaged by two hands is wonderful enough but four hands is simply divine.

    After the massage I have my first Picu treatment. Another oleation practice, this process involves submerging cotton cloths in warm oil to heat them, compressing the cloths and then applying them to the specific body parts to treat those areas.

    The therapist concentrates on my lower back, neck, shoulders and knees. These are my particular problem areas. The compresses provide nourishment to muscles and tissues, releases stress, increases flexibility and restores muscle and joint movement by penetrating into the deep tissue level.

    It is excellent for joint pain and swelling, joint and muscle stiffness or deformity, muscle and tendon cramps, twists, and tears, spondylosis and backache. It improves the lymphatic system and general circulation. It also feels soooo good! It sure beats drinking medicated ghee in my morning snehana!

    The fourth post in this series, I begin to explore the fascinating city of Pokhara.

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  • Arrival at the Panchakarma Retreat

    Arrival at the Panchakarma Retreat

    Ayurveda Health Home
    Ayurveda Health Home in Pokhara, Nepal.
    Continuing on from the previous post, today I dive deeper into what a Panchakarma retreat involves.

    In case you missed it, read more to discover why I began this Panchakarma healing journey.

    After what seemed like a long and tiring odyssey, it was wonderful to finally arrive at the Panchakarma retreat, the Ayurveda Health Home, after many months of preparation.

    I was greeted at the door by one of the staff members who presented me with my indoor shoes. Outdoor shoes were to be left at the front door in the neatly organized cupboard. I was taken to the waiting area and offered a cup of refreshing Tulsi tea and a bowl of fresh fruit. Both of which were very welcome.

    Shortly afterwards, I was shown into the office where they had set up a Skype call with Dr Rishi. Dr Rishi started the Panchakarma retreat, the Ayurveda Health Home in 2001. His initial centre is in Kathmandu where he spends the majority of his time.

    Dr Rumee is the head doctor at the Pokhara centre. Dr Rumee sat with us and took notes while Dr Rishi briefly discussed my program.

    I had a full consultation with Dr Rumee the next morning. She would share this with Dr Rishi so he could make any further refinements to my 24 day Panchakarma program.

    What is Panchakarma?

    Panchakarma is a specialised Ayurveda therapy which consists of five intensive treatment procedures – Vaman, Virecana, Morning and Evening Basti and Sirovirecana. These procedures help with:

    • Cleansing and detoxification.
    • Balancing and harmonising.
    • Immune enhancing and rejuvenation of the whole system-body, senses, mind and soul.

    Dr Rishi designed my program after receiving my notes from my Ayurvedic doctor in Australia as well as studying my various health reports. The Panchakarma steps I would be undertaking during my time here will be Virecana, Morning and Evening Basti and Sirovirecana.

    I am told that during this process, I may feel various physiological and psycho-emotional changes within myself.

    Each of these main procedures has specific pre- and post-procedure therapies which are called Purvakarma and Paschatkarma respectively. The Purvakarma initiates the cleansing and detoxifying with different kinds of oil and powder massages (external oleation) as well as the intake of medicated ghee/ghrita (internal oleation).

    The treatment over the course of the next few weeks also includes full body steams, private yoga tuition, neti, oil pulling and eye wash instructions. All to further enhance the cleansing process.

    Purvakarmas are designed to circulate the properties of the herbs up to the subtle cellular level as a friendly component. They then dissolve and liquefy the accumulated toxins (ama) in the system and facilitate the expulsion of these ama components through the main circulating channels (srota).

    Bring it on I say!

    Settling in to the Panchakarma retreat

    After a brief call with Dr Rishi, I was shown to my room and other various areas along the way including the dining room, library and rooftop.

    Ganesh
    View from my room Ganesh
    All of the guest accommodation was situated on the second floor and consisted of four double bedrooms and one single bedroom. I had the single room, known as Ganesh – the elephant God of good luck and wisdom.

    It was fairly small but had a comfortable looking double bed, desk, chair, cupboard and a small attached bathroom. Being on a corner I had two windows with wonderful views to Lake Fewa, Peace Stupa and green fields and jungle. It was a pretty stunning view even though it was interrupted with construction.

    After a quick well-needed shower I was ready for my first massage.

    How wonderful after my epic journey to relax into a 90 minute Whole Body Cleansing Abhyanga – if this is what the next few weeks will be like, I’m certainly in the right place!

    Feeling ten times better I drift back to my room where I rest for a couple of hours before the evening meal.

    Welcome to Ayurveda Health Home
    Some light reading along with my daily ginger tea
    This begins promptly at 6pm each day. Routine being another important factor with an Ayurveda lifestyle, especially for Vatas.

    Dinner was delicious and I enjoy getting to know my fellow guests who are from Germany, Vietnam, Thailand and Sweden. All is varying stages of their own Panchakarma journey.

    Sleep comes quite quickly that night despite the party going on in the building site next door and the extremely hard mattress. Nothing is a problem here though so when asked how I slept the next morning, I mentioned the mattress and before I knew it they had replaced it with a much more comfortable one.

    The next post in this series dives deeper into what a Panchakarma involves.

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