As some of your may know, I had the great good fortune to spend three weeks at an Ayurvedic clinic in Coimbatore, India, in January of 2019. Panchakarma, one of the best-known applications of Ayurvedic medicine, was a major part of my experience. It’s a five-step, total mind-body rejuvenation that comprises herbal oil massages, steam baths, cleansing enemas, and other purifying practices.
In this environment I, and my fellow-participants, were allowed to partake of certain detoxification practices based on Ayurvedic medicine. Everyone there was a client in the same process (about 80 people). Each of us was interviewed, assessed, and diagnosed by two Ayurvedic doctors (who also were skilled in Western methods). Once we were assessed, we were assigned one of several detox practices, and seen twice daily by those same doctors to tweak and re-assess.
These were my doctors:
The major goal in Ayurveda is to clear the pathways in the body of toxins that build up in all of us just from living. The theory is that toxins are created by cohabitation in environments filled with “man made and synthetic chemicals”, and also by “undigested food or emotions.”
Another primary principle in Ayurveda is that “food is medicine.” At the clinic, we were all fed the same vegetarian food daily, at the same times. The manner in which our bodies digested this food played a big role in how our health and blocks were assessed by the doctors daily.
Here are photos of some of the food:
It was all very fresh; local herbs and local ghee and milk were added for their healthy detoxifying properties.
Although I was in a gentle and kind environment, where certain chanting practices and rituals were performed (all invited, none required), I cannot say that the techniques were easy ones. But over the course of my three weeks there, the effect the techniques had on me was to cement the concept that body, mind, and spirit all need attention. This applies not only to when we are sick, but most especially to keeping us well.
Denise’s 2 Cents:
People have asked if I feel any different after having had this Panchakarma experience. The answer is yes, and here are a couple of the ways:
-I feel calmer and I also notice a change in my digestion of food.
-I am such a beginner in this world of Ayurveda, and yet it already has validated my work in the health field.
Ayurveda practices allow that although we may have “teachers and healers” in our lives, we actually are our own best teachers and healers in discovering what we need and want. As a personal trainer, I have always believed the individual is ultimately responsible for his/her own physical and emotional health. I am hired by clients to help them embrace this belief. For them, I highlight these fundamental ideas:
1.) Every person is entirely unique in personality and health requirements (in particular nutrition—we all have such different food needs!)
2.) Self-knowledge is the key to good health. In other words, it is key to understanding how our body works, to knowing what foods make it work best, to making conscious choices, and to alleviating stress.
In my experience, I found one Ayurveda guiding principle to be very soothing: “Everything that happens is exactly what is supposed to happen.”
I am glad to talk to anyone who may have a deeper interest in this type of practice. I also welcome your thoughts or feedback.