Panchakarma Detox Retreats
The pace of modern life may sometimes leave us feeling stressed, low in energy and even a little down. Ayurveda Lifestyle offers in-house retreats with detoxifying and replenishing treatments. Retreats last from 5 to 21 days and are designed to suit your particular needs which are established during a full Ayurvedic consultation. Panchakarma can help with many health concerns including weight issues and many degenerative conditions. Panchakarma is also a great way for healthy people to recharge their batteries and strenghten their immune system.  This is an opportunity to take a complete break from work, family and day to day stress and to give yourself the space to truly unwind, detoxify and reconnect with your body's innate strength and intelligence. Whilst every retreat is designed individually, most of our retreats include the following steps in varying degrees:

STEP 1: We begin by increasing the power of digestion which is called 'agni' in Ayurveda. This can be done by taking simple digestive herbs along with a light, cooked and easily digestible diet. Once agni has been kindled, it immediately begins to digest toxins and by sipping hot ginger tea you can help flush these toxins from the system.

 

STEP 2: Next is internal oleation. This usually consists of drinking small amounts of melted ghee for a number of consecutive days. The amount and duration depends upon the power of your digestion.The ghee is taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and you do not eat until it has been thoroughly digested. The purpose of drinking ghee is to soften the internal tissues and to help them release any excess doshas and toxins that have lodged there.

Steps 1 & 2 can be completed either at our clinic or in your own home.

STEP 3: External oleation or abhyanga. Abhyanga is warm oil massage, with a herbally

medicated oil suited to your constitution. From the top of the head to the tips of the toes a generous amount of warm oil is massaged into the skin. Abhyanga is one of the very best ways to pacify vata in the nervous system and as the oil permeates the skin and enters the circulation, it also helps to release further toxins.

STEP 4: Immediately after abhyanga, a full body steam treatment is given in our Hyperthermic Chamber which helps the oil permeate more deeply and to dissolve excess doshas which then naturally move into the gastrointestinal tract. Deep seated tensions are released and a sense of relaxation spreads throughout the body.

 

STEP 5: Following steam treatment the body is wrapped in warm towels and returned to the treatment couch where shirodhara treatment is given. Shirodhara is the continual pouring of warm oil onto the forehead which has a deeply soothing effect on the central nervous system as it lowers the levels of cortisone and other stress hormones in the body. This treatment helps release the effects of stress, particularly on the mind and gives deep rest and profound relaxation.

STEP 6: After a number of days of steps 3, 4 & 5, depending upon the length of your retreat, the toxins and excess doshas will have moved out of the tissues and into the gastrointestinal tract. The next step is therefore to eliminate them from the body in a process of purgation called virechana. A suitable purgative is taken orally on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. After a few hours, the bowel movements begin and usually continue for a few hours. A very light meal may be eaten after the purgation has ended and then the body is rested for a day or two.

 

STEP 7: The next step is known as basti, which is sometimes likened to an enema. In Ayurveda though a basti is much more than an enema as it is used to administer medicine into the whole body via the colon. This removes excess vata and nourishes and lubricates the lining of the colon. The liquid used in basti mainly consists of herbal decoction and medicated oil. Different types of basti are given for different periods of time depending upon your constitution and condition.

 

STEP 8: The cleansing and detoxifying processes have now been completed and the final steps is to give rejeuvenative herbal preparations which strengthen the bodily tissues and provide energy.

At the end of this process, your body is much lighter and brighter. Your senses are sharper, your mind is alert and you experience a pronounced sense of well-being and an increased flow of energy. Because your diet has been light throughout, your eating habits have become healthier and the usual cravings simply fall away. Now you are renewed, invigorated and ready to go back to face your life anew.

Your Daily Routine

A Panchakarma retreat is a precious gift and can open the door to fundamental transformation. To walk through that door, we need to let go of our expectations and embrace what is. Patients are encouraged to just 'be’ in the huge amount of space that opens up for them rather than try to fill it in a habitual way. We therefore encourage patients to turn off their laptops and phones and to experience that space. The day starts with a light breakfast of stewed fruit or freshly squeezed vegetable juice followed by a daily consultation. Treatments begin at around 9.00am for about two hours. A light lunch of easily digested food is served at midday which is an important part of the detoxification process.  In the afternoon enjoy a one hour Ayurvedic relaxation class tailored to your particular needs which may include yoga, meditation and pranayama.  Additional treatments may also be taken during the afternoon if required. There is plenty of time in which to take a gentle countryside walk and also space in which you can rest, reflect or simply just be. A light dinner of soup and grains will be served at about 6pm. In the evening you can read, watch a DVD or listen to a CD from our collection of inspirational material.  

The Place
Our clinic is right on the border between North Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and West Lincolnshire about 10 miles from Retford and Doncaster. Set in a farming village away from the busyness of modern life there are several gentle countryside walks closeby including a long stretch of canal. The Barn itself is a large airy house with contemporary finish and comfortable rooms.