Panchakarma Preparations and Expectations
Our Panchakarma program is designed and custom-tailored to your current state of health, wellness, and constitution. It is the starting point to manage and improve your health and wellness pro-actively. Personal attention is given to each guest’s specific needs, dosha, and imbalances.
Benefits of Panchakarma:
Eliminate toxins and toxic conditions from your body and mind.
Prevents disease process and corrects imbalance.
Promotes ultimate wellness by building immunity, becoming more resistant to illness.
Reverse the adverse effects of stress on your body.
Slows the aging process.
Provides genuinely needed rest & relaxation.
Offers mental clarity and increased concentration.
Enhance your self-reliance, strength, energy, and vitality.
Deepens self-awareness & spirituality and brings a sense of well-being.
Clears emotional stagnation and allows you to experience inner joy
Helps develop a consistent daily routine that includes yoga, meditation, and self-care.
Possible Effects of Panchakarma:
While Panchakarma is a physical process, it affects the body, mind, and spirit. When you begin your pre-PK preparation before you arrive here, you may start to notice shifts in your self-awareness. During PK, your self-awareness may increase even further. It is not uncommon for unresolved issues to come up which can sometimes make one feel upset or uncomfortable, and sometimes de-toxifying can be physically uncomfortable. It is essential that you tell the PK staff of these feelings so that we can assist you in this process.
Some of the emotions you may experience may be sadness, grief, anger, happiness, joy or others. It is possible that you may become aware of issues in your life that had been buried or unresolved. Panchakarma may catalyze and also resolve and release these emotions. The more aware you are of unresolved issues in your life, the more effective PK can be. Additional meditation, yoga, and pranayama practices can be effective ways to help release these issues from the mind and body.
Pre-Panchakarma Recommendations:
Preparing your body and mind in advance sets the stage for a harmonious Panchakarma experience. In the week leading up to your Panchakarma journey, consider the following:
Gradually Reduce Caffeine and Alcohol: Slowly decreasing your intake of caffeine and alcohol helps to minimize stress on your nervous system and prepares your body for the detoxification process
Avoid Processed, Fried, or Heavy Foods: Processed, fried, or heavy foods, as well as items with refined sugars, yeasted bread, and heavy cheeses, can contribute to toxin (ama) buildup in the body. Reducing these foods will help your digestive system begin to cleanse and reset.
Adopt a Light, Mostly Vegetarian Diet: Eating primarily vegetarian meals supports gentle detoxification. Limit red meat and pork, focusing instead on plant-based proteins and nourishing grains. Simple, balanced dishes like kitchari (a light rice and lentil blend) or warm dhal soups are ideal for preparing your system.
Incorporate Digestive Spices: Spices like ginger, cumin, coriander, and fennel are beneficial for digestion and can be added to meals or enjoyed as warm herbal teas. Drinking these teas in the three days prior to your arrival can further prepare your digestion for the Panchakarma process.
Focus on Freshly Cooked, Easily Digestible Foods: Prioritize warm, freshly cooked meals that are simple and easy to digest, avoiding raw, cold, or dense foods that are harder on the digestive system. This will support gentle cleansing while nourishing your body.
Incorporate Triphala: Take ½ Triphala powder or 1 tablet (500 mg each) with warm water at night to support digestion and gentle detox before Panchakarma.
During Panchakarma:
You will need as much rest as possible. This is a time you set aside to heal.
Try to avoid stressful activities of daily life. It is recommended that you minimize the workload, mentally as well.
Try to let relative and coworkers know that you are in retreat and would like to avoid cell phone and email interruptions as much as possible.
Panchakarma is an excellent time to try and take a “media fast,” where we disengage from computers, TV, phones, etc. as best we can. We are also attempting to clear the electromagnetic bombardment that we are constantly exposed to in the modern world.
Do not plan too many extra activities during the Panchakarma.
While during your Panchakarma program, it is advised to conserve energy. Gentle Yoga and Nature walks are ideal. Guided Ayurvedic Morning routines, yoga, and meditation are offered daily.
Most people find that after their daily 2 hour Ayurvedic body session, they like to go to their room and rest. They often want to lie down and read, write in their journal, meditate, or quietly play an instrument.
We recommend bringing lightweight, natural clothing to wear during your stay, clothes that you can layer when needed are recommended. See more about this below.
If you are using any medication, you must bring sufficient amount needed for the length of your stay.
Clothing
Our retreats incorporate a combination of Ayurvedic, Yogic, and bodywork techniques, many of which involve the use of herbal oils. We encourage you to wash up thoroughly after treatments, but if any oil residue remains, it may transfer onto your clothing. Please keep this in mind when selecting what to bring.
For attire, we recommend clothing appropriate for both the season and the activities you plan to engage in. Lightweight, natural fiber yoga clothes are ideal, along with suitable walking or trekking shoes and any necessary outdoor gear.
Winter (December–January): While our winters are generally mild, occasional temperature drops can occur, so bring layers to stay comfortable.
Summer (mid-June–August): Expect hot weather. Breathable, lightweight, natural fiber clothing is best during these months.
The rest of the year: The climate is temperate and pleasant, making it easy to dress comfortably for all activities.
Products, Supplementation, and Medications
We provide all necessary Ayurvedic cleansing routine formulas for your retreat, with the exception of a toothbrush and toothpaste—please bring your own. To fully experience the benefits of the program, we encourage you to refrain from using any additional skincare products beyond what we provide.
We also recommend taking a break from supplementation during your stay, allowing your body to move through the cleanse without added strain on the digestive system. However, if you are on prescribed medications, please continue taking them as directed by your doctor. Our goal is to support your healing without disrupting any essential medical treatments.
If you have any concerns or questions about what to bring or what to pause during your stay, feel free to reach out to us in advance.
Post Panchakarma:
On the last day of your PK program, you will receive the post Panchakarma recommendations.
You will be given a list of foods, herbs and self-massage oils based on your body type or your imbalances.
You will be asked to take Rasayana, longevity herbal remedies to rejuvenate and build strong, healthy tissue for 21 days post-panchakarma.
It is advised to follow the lifestyle recommendations and routine as closely as possible to achieve the full benefits of your Panchakarma program.
Panchakarma is an ongoing process that continues even after you complete your program here at Purusha Ayurveda. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual effects may be experienced in the weeks and months following PK. It is important to recognize that these effects are a positive cleansing and to process them consciously.
Etiquette
Our ultimate aim to is to provide you with an unforgettable and stress-free experience. We hope you will maximize your visit to enjoy the services we offer. Please read the below etiquette advice.
Respect of Others
Because we are in an intimate setting, we ask that while the other guest is in their body technique session, to be mindful of respecting silence in the main area. We also ask you to respect the privacy of those who are joining us, Panchakarma can be a deeply personal journey and allowing space for each guest to go through their journey is important.
Communicate With Your Technician
To get the most out of your wellness treatment, communicate with your technician. Your comfort and enjoyment are important to us, so let us know if you have concerns about the depth of pressure, the temperature of your room, music volume, or other issues
Gratuities
Our staff are grateful for any tips that you feel inclined to give - it is a great way of expressing your appreciation. We invite you to tip at your discretion.