Your Panchakarma Program
Pre-Panchakarma — Diet and Internal Oleation
Approximately one week to ten days before you arrive, we will call you to instruct you on pre-PK procedures including diet and internal oleation. A pre-panchakarma recommendations program is included when you book your appointments. Internal oleation consists of taking ghee or flax seed oil, in order to prepare the doshas and impurities to be removed from the tissues. (In some cases this may be excluded) This facilitates more effective cleansing during PK. Please do not begin internal oleation on your own until you receive instructions from our center.
Your First Day
If you haven’t already received consultation with Dr. (Vaidya) Lina, you will have an appointment with her to receive an Ayurvedic assessment, read your pulse, take your medical history and plan your panchakarma program.
Daily Treatments
Please be prompt to your appointments. Plan to arrive about ten minutes before each of your scheduled treatment times. If you arrive too late for your scheduled therapy time and there is not time to perform your treatment and allow time for the next client, we may have to reschedule that session.
You will receive Ayurvedic treatments based on your Prakruti (dosha constitution) /vikruti (Imbalance). Typically, this includes abhyanga, a specialized Ayurvedic oil massage performed by Ayurveda Technicians; swedan, an herbalized steam bath and shirodhara, a very calming and balancing treatment consisting of a stream of warm oil poured over the forehead while you are lying down.
These treatments profoundly relax the body and mind, improve the flow of energy by opening the srotas (channels of circulation), and prepare the body to eliminate excess doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) or toxins (ama) on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels. After a few days of these treatments, the doshas have usually “ripened” in their sites of origin, and are ready to be flushed from the system.
Only in some cases, depending on your doshic imbalance, you may be advised to do one of two things to facilitate this elimination of the accumulated toxins: 1) herbal enema — for which you will be given the herbs, equipment and directions to administer it yourself, 2) herbal purgation — for which you will be given the herbs and instructions.
We will answer any questions you might have, provide you with information about Ayurvedic diet, lifestyle and daily routine, and also will assist you how to implement these principles in your life when you complete the program.
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 begin 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 important that you tell the PK staff of these feelings so that we can assist this process.
Some of the emotions you may experience may be sadness, grief, anger, elation, 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. Meditation, yoga and pranayama can be effective ways to help release these issues from the mind and body.
After Panchakarma:
Panchakarma is an ongoing process that continues even after you complete your program here at Ayurveda Wellness Center & Holistic Spa. 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
Food
During your panchakarma, you will be provided with a special soup of khichari (a rice and mung dal dish) and special herbal teas. The khichari mono-diet has a de-toxifying action and is nutritious and easy to digest. You are recommended to take enough khichari packets for dinner that night and for breakfast the next morning.
Before and after your PK program, you will be responsible for providing your own food . It is best to avoid cold drinks, cold food, dairy, caffeine and refined sugar before, during and after PK.
Post-Panchakarma Diet
If you are new to Ayurvedic eating and diet, it can be discouraging to realize that some of the food in your house and many of your favorite dishes are on the list of foods to avoid—the “No” side of the Food Guidelines. We find that moderation is a virtue when changing one’s diet. If you can stay on the recommended diet 50 to 70% of the time for a long time (months), this is much better than following the diet 100% for one week and never returning to it again.
Be easy with yourself. Observe what effects are produced by foods in the “avoid” category. Try keeping a food journal, listing the times you eat, what you eat and how you feel physically and emotionally before and after eating. This can be helpful in noticing your response to certain foods.
For Women
Panchakarma is contraindicated for women during their menses. Women, please take care to schedule panchakarma safely outside of your menstrual period. If menses unexpectedly takes place during panchakarma, the program will be adjusted accordingly.
Your Panchakarma Appointment
An appointment for panchakarma does not necessarily indicate an appointment with Dr. (Vaidya Lina). Dr.(Vaidya) Lina will meet with you during your program to see how the program is going and to answer any questions you may have. If your Panchakarma is on weekend Dr. (Vaidya) Lina will not be able to meet you on weekend. If your final day of Panchakarma is on weekend, you will be asked to set up a follow up consultation during weekday over the phone.
Contraindications
There are certain medical conditions for which PK is contraindicated (not advised). It is therefore important for you to let us know your detailed medical history. Please check with Dr. (Vaidya) Lina by phone consultation, if PK is contraindicated for you before you make final travel plans to attend the program.
Upon your arrival, if we determine that you have a contraindicated condition—one that no one was aware of, or that has recently developed, such as pregnancy—it may be necessary to suspend PK treatment until such time as we feel PK is indicated, if at all during your visit. Alternative treatments may be indicated. These will be determined on a case-by-case basis by Dr. (Vaidya) Lina Thakar.
If the following conditions exist, panchakarma may not be advisable. Such conditions will be reviewed to determine if panchakarma should not be taken
- Pregnancy
- Menses
- Lactation
- Lympho-Sarcoma
- Cancer of the Lungs or Testicles
- Melanoma
- Angina Pectoris
- HIV or AIDS
- Emaciation
- Extreme Obesity
- Hypertension ( high BP)
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Any Active Infectious Disease
Ayurveda Wellness Center & Holistic Spa is not a medical facility. Panchakarma clients are expected to be healthy enough to be able to take care of their own basic needs.
Ayurveda Technicians:
Men will have their PK treatment with female technician or a male-female technician team. Women may have PK with either female technician or a male-female technician team. If you are female and have a preference, you must inform us of this when you schedule. Your technician cannot be changed once your appointment is booked.
Travel and Residential Arrangements (Please click here for details)
Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until your Panchakarma appointment has been confirmed.
When making travel arrangements for PK, it is ideal to arrive the day before your first PK session and to leave the day after your last session. This gives you time to “decompress” from traveling when you arrive, and time to let the last session really sink in before dealing with the hectic atmosphere of daily living when you leave.
Our phone is 412 809 0999. Our hours of operation are Monday through Sunday : 9 am to 5 pm. Evening appointments are available 5pm – 8 pm.
What to Bring
Panchakarma is best done in a reflective state of mind. We suggest bringing a journal, books to read that are conducive to healing, and that you avoid TV and loud music. Also, it is best to minimize tourist activity while doing PK. Generally, people find that they need to rest a great deal during PK and it is important to do so.
Scarf/Hat - Typically, PK clients receive the shirodhara treatment, a constant stream of warm oil poured onto the forehead. It is a good idea to bring a scarf or a cap to wear (that you don’t mind getting oil on) to keep your head warm.
Dr Lina’s Classes and Seminars
While you are a PK client, you may attend any or all of Dr. ( Vaidya) Lina’s Ayurvedic lectures at no cost to you, when they are in session. The weekend seminars are not free. A listing of these seminars is available on request.
Classroom Etiquette
It is customary to show respect for the teacher by removing your shoes at the door of the classroom, and by not presenting the soles of your feet to the altar, the lecturer or to other students.
Yoga Classes and Private Instructions
Special Ayurveda -Yoga classes are offered for Panchakarma guests at additional charge. Please advise the instructor about your yoga background and of any injuries or limitations.
Specific yoga postures may be recommended for your condition. You can also make an appointment with one of our yoga therapists to receive private instruction on the postures while you are here.. Refer to the PK Fee Schedule for details.
The yoga therapist will go over all the recommended postures, ways to prepare to do the postures, specifics on technique. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with the yoga therapist, please let the us know before you arrive, or immediately at the time of your arrival.
Ayurveda Wellness Center is very much looking forward to working with you for your best health! If you have any questions, please call or email.
Ph No- 412 809 0999
Email – Info@ayupgh.com
