What Happens in a Panchakarma at AIDA Ayurveda Resort
Conditions ranging from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to chronic back pain, frozen shoulder, and sciatica stem from deeper imbalances in metabolism and tissue nutrition. When Doshas (our fundamental bio-energies) become disturbed, particularly Vata, it manifests as joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
AIDA Ayurveda Resort offers an authentic Panchakarma experience, not a spa vacation
Our emphasis on traditional Ayurveda guidelines will ensure that the balance of your body is restored and you get to enjoy the benefits for a long time to come. Please note that to achieve this, certain diet restrictions may apply and there are times when you will experience discomfort and some treatments that you do not enjoy. However, this is part of the whole process and well worth the results!
Three Main Phases of Panchakarma
What does an authentic Panchakarma mean?
It is a common misconception that a PK is only authentic when it involves drinking ghee for 3-5 days, followed by purgation and eating repetitive food like kitchadi every day. However, there are many other considerations taken into account. The physicians will look at your age, bio-energies, imbalances, the status of digestive fire, disease and its stage, extent of ama/endotoxins, the seat of toxins, and many other factors before deciding which treatment is best suited for you and selecting the detox method. Depending on your condition and progress during the PK, you might undergo several detoxes but it is very rare that one person has all five methods.
When the endotoxins are deep-seated, an external and internal oleation or snehana will be chosen. This treatment involves drinking ghee or oil or adding them to a soup or rice. But maybe a medicated oil enema, dripping oil into the ears, an oil massage, or a bath are the best options for you, not to mention the many localized oil treatments for knees, lower back, etc.
Next comes fomentation (swedana) using external dry or wet heat. This includes poultices, herbal baths, steam therapy, mild exercise or yoga, etc. In addition to the above, your digestive fire will be improved and undigested matter (ama) removed by herbal decoctions.
All these stages are important to remove the deep-seated endotoxins from the tissues. Once they are ready for this, the right detox method will be chosen for you. And sometimes the endotoxins are already ripe for removal and no fomentation or oleation is needed at all. In cases like this, it is important that the endotoxins are removed as soon as possible.
As for the food, your diet during your PK will be light, and easily digestible, not clogging your microchannels or producing ama, undigested matter. All the dishes on our menu were created with this in mind. Your diet will be adjusted by the physicians according to your condition and progress but you will be enjoying many delicious dishes along with the occasional kitchadi!
There are Dos and Don’ts in Panchakarma, rules which should be followed strictly; your physician will explain them to you. Among them are things like no swimming, no exposure to sun or wind, getting lots of rest and not going out for excursions or shopping trips, digital detox, etc.
If the rules are followed, the results of the PK will be good and the process easier for you. If not, you may be facing problems or unpleasant effects or will not obtain the results you came for. This is very important to understand and though at times may feel exaggerated, trust your physicians on this!
What does an authentic Panchakarma mean?
As each person’s experience will be different, the daily schedules will vary. But to give you an idea of what your day could look like during your Panchakarma, here is a short outline:
Wake up early to the sounds of a gong. Do yoga and meditation in the beautiful yoga hall overlooking the rice fields or just relax on your terrace or in the gardens, taking a morning walk.
After that, it is time for breakfast before you meet with the physician and starts your daily treatments in the Panchakarma treatment center. The
duration and number of the daily treatments will vary, depending on the stage you are at.
During the day, you will have lunch and free time to relax before your scheduled treatments. You can join the cooking demonstration and get some tips to take home with you. Some days, there are talks on interesting topics or guided rice field walks. In the early evening, you can attend a meditation class and then enjoy dinner.
The importance of food in an Ayurvedic Panchakarma
In Ayurveda, food is one of the important medicines. During a Panchakarma, the food is prepared in a special manner, everything is well cooked and hot spices are not used. This is to get your digestive fire working at its optimal level. Very often the reason for many illnesses lies in the digestive tract! This is the reason why you will not find crunchy salads, or spicy or raw food on the menu during your Panchakarma. It may sometimes feel a bit boring, but believe the physicians who have put the menu together, it has a powerful effect on your health!
Ayurvedic food consists of six main tastes – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. We serve delicious, balanced meals, many from traditional recipes that are thousands of years old as well as dishes adapted to Western kitchens. Naturally, always respecting the nutritional wisdom of Ayurveda!
You have the option to have your meals served in the privacy of your own room or in the dining room.
You can also purchase our Ayurvedic cookbook and will also have the opportunity to participate in cooking demonstrations to learn the principles and methods of Ayurvedic cuisine. We hope that this will encourage you to continue with healthy eating habits once you are back home.
Yoga and Meditation
Yoga and meditation, bringing together the body and the mind, are a perfect complement to a Panchakarma.
The yoga we offer is based on Hatha yoga and includes pranayama (breathing exercises). Ayurveda advocates a softer version of yoga during Panchakarma. It is ideal for reducing physical and mental stress as well as to quiet the mind. The morning yoga classes and early evening restorative yoga and meditation classes are held in the beautiful yoga hall overlooking the rice fields.
Other Activities
Purification ritual (at Oneworld Ayurveda Tegallalang)
To prepare for your Panchakarma, you will do a Balinese Purification Ritual at Oneworld Ayurveda’s temple-this is the perfect opportunity to reflect on what has brought you here, what you want to achieve, and what you want to let go of during your healing journey. Depending on your arrival time, you will do this ritual on the first day of your arrival, before the beginning of Panchakarma.
Agnihotra purification ritual (at Oneworld Ayurveda Ubud)
To prepare for your Panchakarma you will do a group Agnihotra fire ritual-this is the perfect time to focus on a new beginning. This ceremony is to purify your body, mind, and soul as well as the surroundings before your Panchakarma begins.
Rice field walks
Our center is surrounded by beautiful terraced rice fields in terraces with pathways for walks among them. Guided walks will be included in your schedule.
Talks
There will be regular informative talks on different topics. You will find them on your daily schedule.
Cooking demonstrations
To familiarise you with Ayurvedic cooking, regular cooking demonstrations are offered. We hope that they will encourage you to keep up healthy eating habits back home!
Herbal walks
We grow most of the plants in our own permaculture gardens. You can explore them any time at your leisure, but regular guided walks with our gardener are offered as well. Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of healing plants – observe, inhale, feel, and taste!
Letting go ritual
Toward the end of your stay, you are invited to do a Letting Go Ritual at the retreat temple. This small ritual supports you to let go of everything that no longer serves you. It also symbolizes the process of purification that you have gone through during your Panchakarma.
