Delving Into the Ayurvedic Ritual of Panchakarma for Balance and Renewal: Part 2
My first day at my new home for 21-days of Panchakarma treatments was a complete win for my soul. Those energetic threads that I followed landed me in perfect harmony for exactly the nurturing home I desired. So when I eyeballed the moody and memorable Arabian Sea, the bean-pole swaying palms, and felt the sunshine bathe my forehead - a silly and satisfied grin cascaded over my face. Due to it being the monsoon season the resort facility was calm and not crowded. That in itself, was a paramount factor of the healing and harmonizing that was to take place.
The start of my 21-days of treatment began with meeting the Ayurvedic doctors on staff who dug in with a nice amount of fervor to assess me and address my concerns. I listed them: feeling lost and lethargic, poor digestion, and a left shoulder feeling achy - that was the start. My doshas (my individual energetic constitution) were assessed through a series of questions and I learned that both my Kapha and my Vata doshas were out of balance. There is a third dosha called Pitta and that was okay.
The ritual of my days was full and complete for my revitalization mission - pure self-care and body regulation, especially knowing my Kapha and Vata doshas were out of balance. My day would begin with a Dinacharya routine that I did in my room to prepare the day. Dinacharya includes tongue scraping, dry tooth powder brushing, eye-rinsing, and nasal drop application. Yoga goes along exquisitely with Ayurveda and so I would go to classes each morning for one hour. The food given was also meant for my personal dosha constitution. It was fresh and local. I could taste the love in each meal. After breakfast I would mosey into the Wellness Centre to indulge in the daily 1 hour and 45 minute body treatments that ultimately involved cleansing and eliminating waste from my body. My treatment session was at the same time every day, but each day it was a different treatment - carefully explained to me before and during the process. Treatments ranged from full-body massage with home-grown medicinal herbs along with nasal cleansing, purging, and elimination. My favourite treatment was warm sesame oil and medicated buttermilk oozing onto my temple from a black cauldron with a hole at the bottom dangling above my head. My therapists, Serala and Chithra became friends and we had many times of laughter in the process of being quite vulnerable on a massage table. How could you not, right? They saw the majority of my body and they cared for me with such kindness and warmth. I looked forward to seeing these marvelous women each day. They were an integral part of the natural medicine that I would receive in my sessions.
Twenty-one days went by just like an Indian summer breeze. Very quickly. I made a few friends who were also on a health and healing journey from different parts of the world - Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are two examples. I became familiar with the staff and we had deeper and more meaningful connections as the days progressed - we also had learning and fun with crafts, henna, and beach-cleanups. I also ventured out on foot to the Kovalam city area once-in-a-while. I got a more abundant sense of the local area’s magic in its colours, scenes, and inhabitants from Jasmine-scented walkways.
My biggest shift was the clarity in my mind and body after the end of the treatments. I know for everyone it will be different. Without the space to engage in this ritual of self-care and self-love, I would not be where I am writing this. Emotionally, I feel after a month from the experience - I have opened up parts of myself, I am rekindling my interest in my work and what that looks like, I feel more sure of my self-confidence. Physically, my digestion has improved and my shoulder worked itself out with extra medicated treatments and support. I think balance did come to play in my body as demonstrated with some weight loss and bloat changes. Spiritually, I adored how I followed those rainbow energetic threads and made the twenty-seven hour journey (going the long way - changing planes in Europe) to open my mind, body, and soul up to a new experience.
Visiting “the land of diversity” was electric.
Visiting my own body, my vessel, to become more conscious of who I am, what I am doing in the world, how I could treat myself and others better, and how I can have more balance in my being was glorious.
