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| The Panchakarma Detox |
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| In a Nutshell |
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According to Ayurveda, good health is dependent upon our capability to fully metabolise the nutritional, emotional and sensory information that we ingest. When our digestive energies, known as Agni (fire), are robust, we create healthy tissues, eliminate waste products efficiently and produce a subtle essence called ojas. Ojas, which may be envisioned as the innermost sap of our psychophysiology is the basis for clarity of perception, physical strength, and immunity. On the other hand, if our agnis are weakened, digestion is incomplete. This accumulation of toxic residue is collectively known as ama.
 The accumulation of toxins, or ama, in the system leads to obstructions in the flow of energy, information, and nourishment and is the basis of disease. Physical impurities in the physiology have their counterparts in the mind where negative emotions such as fear, anger, greed, and guilt create mental impurities. Undigested experiences become toxic like undigested food. These "mental toxins" obstruct the flow of positive feelings and mental clarity, and result in chronic psychological and emotional distress. Panchakarma, an ancient form of purification developed thousands of years ago in India, is used to remove ama. By cleansing and detoxifying the body the process helps build the natural fire within the body (agni) which naturally burns ama from the body and aids in digestion.
Panchakarma is the ultimate mind body detoxifying experience.
What is Ama?
Ama is the accumulation of toxins in the body from improperly digested food or waste materials in the body. Ama is heavy, dense, cold, and slimy. It is created by imbalances which disturb digestion or the proper formation of waste materials in the body. For example any of the following can give rise to ama in the physical body: air can accumulate as gas in the large intestine, mucus can form in the stomach and spread to the small intestine, or bile can accumulate in the small intestine and interfere with the digestion process.
Psychologically, ama arises from holding on to negative emotions. Negative emotions squelch mental clarity and diminish our physical spark. Undigested experiences become toxic like undigested food.
 Symptoms of ama in the body include: loss of taste and appetite, indigestion, tongue-coating, bad breath, loss of strength, heaviness, lethargy, and obstruction of channels and vessels in the body. Other symptoms include: accumulation of waste-material, bad body odour including urine or feces, lack of attention, loss of clarity, depression, or irritability.
In fact, ama is the root of most colds, fevers and flues, as well as the chronic diseases of a weak auto-immune system which may range from allergies and hay fever to asthma, arthritis, or cancer. By removing ama from the body and mind we bring a higher state of being to our lives.
Panchakarma constitutes the foremost purification and rejuvenation therapy, because it reverses the mechanisms that carry toxic waste products from the digestive tract into all the other tissues of the body. In other words, it reverses the movement of ama, bringing it back to the digestive tract, and then gently expels it from the body. Furthermore, it manages the doshas according to your individual constitution (and dosha imbalance). In this sense it is unique, since it is tailored to meet your individual needs. constitutes the foremost purification and rejuvenation therapy, because it reverses the mechanisms that carry toxic waste products from the digestive tract into all the other tissues of the body. In other words, it reverses the movement of ama, bringing it back to the digestive tract, and then gently expels it from the body. Furthermore, it manages the doshas according to your individual constitution (and dosha imbalance). In this sense it is unique, since it is tailored to meet your individual needs.
At Ayurveda Retreat we have successfully merged the best of Western comfort with the ancient art of healing. The Panchakarma therapy—which enables the body to release accumulated ama with the use of massage treatments and herbalised oil based enemas (bastis)—gently cleanses the upper respiratory and elimination systems, strengthens the immune system, and restores harmony to the body and bliss to the body, mind, and soul.
 Our Panchakarma program includes a medical evaluation with our Ayurvedic Consultant who will recommend an individualised course of action based on your mind-body constitution and lifestyle. For the optimal experience, we recommend the 7 day program which includes a full-course of herbal supplements, daily Ayurvedic therapies, meditation, yoga, and warm herbalised enemas. During the program, we recommend you follow a simplified Ayurvedic diet – we will instruct you on a nutritious vegetarian meal during the week.
Panchakarma is for the person that wants to detoxify the body and strengthen the immune system. It is recommended on an annual basis or when an individual is out of balance, or experiencing a particular illness.
The Panchakarma Process
The first step in Panchakarma is the process of oleation, which initiates the purification process by loosening ama, in the tissues. Oleation is accomplished by special massages using herbalised oils or by taking certain oils internally.
The second step is to heat the body using specific steam and warm oil therapies. This is known as Swedana in Ayurveda. Using therapeutic heat allows the loosened toxins to flow more easily from the tissues to the GI tract.
The third step in the Panchakarma process is to eliminate the toxins that have accumulated. This is accomplished by the use of gentle herbal enemas, known as bastis, and gentle cleansing of the upper respiratory tract and sinuses, known as nasya.
The Panchakarma treatments are administered over a period of several consecutive days (up to 14 days), and creates a profound detoxifying and deeply purifying experience. |
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| Panchakarma in Detail |
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Opening hours : Monday – Friday 9.00am – 8.00pm | Saturday 9.00am – 6.00pm | Sunday 10.30am – 4.30pm.
32 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1DX, England. Email: info@ayurveda-retreat.co.uk |
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