Panchakarma Day Seven

"Love is everything it's cracked up to be...it's really worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for."

~ Erica Jong

Last day of Panchakarma.

With being the day after Vireachana, practice was interesting this morning. Lead Primary. Started off feeling light and strong, until back bending. Whew. It kicked up a whole slew of nausea and weakness. Wiped me out. I'm sweating more profusely, too. It's almost as if the pores in my body are more open and able to release.

Only eating rice soup and kitchari today.

Tomorrow, I follow up with Dr. Kumar in the morning. Adding fruit and veggies to my diet, and he'll give me a course of herbs to take, fit specific for my needs.

All in all, the process has been enlightening. Yeah. I may have lost a little weight, but that's not what I'm talking about. I feel light emotionally and spiritually, most importantly. When forced to power down, and let go of outside stimulation, even looking to food for it, a greater sense of freedom is found. Especially allowing the old to release to bring in the new.

It feels good. Like a new beginning.

Panchakarma Day Six

"It is quite possible that India is the real world, and that the white man lives in a madhouse of abstractions...Life in India has not yet withdrawn into the capsule of the head. It is still the whole body that lives. No wonder the European feels dreamlike; the complete life of India is something of which he merely dreams. When you walk naked feet, how can you ever forget the earth?"

~ Carl Jung

Virechana ~ Purgation Therapy ~ process when toxins are eliminated through purgation. Unlike an enema and colon cleansing, virechana cleanses the entire digestive tract and intestine. This treatment is highly recommended for Pitta related conditions. Virechana is mainly aimed at restoring and improving functions of the liver and digestional tract. It helps in addressing skin diseases, gastritis, anti-aging, and all manner of digestive disorders.

Whew! So I made it through a course of Virechana today, which will round out my Panchkarma cleanse. I arrived at the clinic around 8:30am and didn't leave until about 6pm. After Abhyanga, and Swedana, I then consumed the herbs that make up the Virechana therapy. Let me just say, I definitely got cleansed...Like you wouldn't believe. Seriously. It was something else. I'll spare everyone the details...

For the next several days I'll be eating pretty simply as I slowly start adding more variety of foods into my diet.

Before leaving the clinic I consulted with Dr. Kumar and we went over proper foods for my constitution, and some of my concerns with digestion. He left me with quite a bit to go on moving forward, and I'm extremely thankful for his expertise and insight. Nice to have an open dialogue.

As my Panchakarma comes to a close I couldn't be happier with the results thus far. I told Dr. Kumar that I'm feeling more like myself, and he nodded in agreement as if saying...yup, that's what it's all about.

Balance.

Panchakarma Day 4

One of the staff members at Dr. Kumar's clinic asked if I felt lighter. I had to think a bit, check in with what I was feeling, and my response was, yeah...I do feel lighter. Nice feeling.

More abhyanga and swedana today...and for the duration of the cleanse. Only difference is on the last day, after my abhyanga and swedana treatments, I'll be doing a Virechana purgation. More on that later.

Have been really enjoying the down time, much more then I thought. And, eating kitchari everyday hasn't been all that bad. I rather like it. It's simple and tasty. No complaints at all.

Panchakarma Day Three

Abhyanga ~ Herbalized Oil Therapy ~ A gentle synchronized full body massage with individually selected herbalized oils which is the foundation of all panchkarma treatments, both purificatory and pallative. This is a warm-oil massage given by two specially trained technicians who work in tandum on both sides of the body. Abhyanga usually uses seasame oil, which, which penetrates the pores of the skin loosening impurities and toxins. The oils are concentrated with herbs and are metablolized by the whole body.

Swedana ~ Herbalized Steam Therapy ~ Stimulates the sweat glands and lymphatic system, increasing the elimination of toxins and stregthening the immune system. Herbalized Steam Treatment uses a special heat chamber that allows the head to remain cool, herbalized steam bath opens the body's channels (organ meridians) allowing loosened impurities to move into the digestive tract in readiness for their removal by interal cleaning procedures such as virechana (herbal purgation) and basti (enema).

Third day and I'm feeling much better since I didn't have to take another course of ghee this morning. Thank God!

So, today and for the next three days, I'll be doing Abhyanga followed by Swedana. Nice.

Panchakarma Day Two

Day 2, and I had to down 60cc of ghee...blech! I'm wiped out. But , I guess it's all about the process. Thank God I don't have to drink ghee tomorrow. Feeling a bit weak, but it's worth it. Gonna feel good when it's over and I'm renewed.

Panchakarma Day One

"The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mystical. It is the power of true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms - this knowledge, this feeling, is at the center of true religiousness."

~ Albert Einstein, His Life And Times

Today I started the process of panchakarma. I'm doing only a light version because Dr. Kumar stressed the fact I'm already in good health, and in turn, can bring my body and digestive system into better balance, which were my concerns going in. Also, with the change in seasons it's always beneficial to participate in some type of detox or cleansing program...clearing away the old to bring in the new. With fasting it isn't only a time to renew the body, but also the mind and spirit. A time to reflect. A time to get rid of old psychic baggage, and grievances, and replace them with greater understanding compassion, and clearer intentions centered around one's heart's calling.

Dr. Kumar's staff were absolutely lovely and supportive. I went to the clinic early and all that was required for today was to drink a small cup of ghee, chased with hot water. Before consuming the ghee, three of the staff members and I stood in from of the alter in the clinic and they began chanting. I wasn't expecting this, but what a wonderful way to start the process. Kinda set the mood.

I successfully prepared the kitchari last night. This is what I'll be eating mostly for the duration of the panchakarma, along with a few choice things.

Dr. Kumar, also stressed that I should lay pretty low for the entire week, except for my morning practice, which I can still do. I have no problem taking time out to relax. My only reservation is the fact that I may not be able to make it to the children's home this week. Those dear children, they're so much fun.