Whats Panchkarma
When I signed up for Panchkarma, I had no idea what I had signed up for. My favorite Archarya (at KAA - Kerela Ayurveda Academy, California) - Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath had once listed the benefits of this ancient technique in his classes. As a side note, he had casually mentioned; Ayurevadagram; a retreat center that offers this 14-day residential program. Each chapter covered several sub-topics, each needing its own time and space. The principles of Panchkama in all its magnanimity were no different.
But even in that short introduction the science behind it pulled me to keep my 1.5-decade-long vegan principles aside for 14 days. My firm belief in tried and tested ancient scientific methodologies lured me to sign up. With my half-baked knowledge when I was asked about it by family and friends, the only lame explanation I could come up with was - “Have someone feed me khichadi, and pay them to help me purge it.”
AyurvedaGram As Is
I entered the premises early morning. After a few formalities, I was shown around the campus. I noticed (just as the lengthy brochure had mentioned) the dining area was open from all sides. This not only allowed complete cross ventilation of air but also allowed constant inflow of positive energies from all directions. This was in adherhance to the principles as laid out in the Vastu Shastra, describing how an ideal eating place should encourage the same . The airy open cottage-style ceilings and architecture with slanted roofs looked intriguing. The antique wooden chairs with hand rests looked royal. One would assume that being in an Ayurvedic center, you would be encouraged to have your sitting arrangement on the floor or something that allowed you to be seated crossed logged at level with your plate. Rather, this was a modern facility, as the bulky furniture did not encourage the traditionally recommended eating system. To do so, I either had to push and pull the dining table disturbing the other guests sharing it with me, or maneuver myself in comical juxtaposed positions to somehow fit in merely one if not both legs.
But continuing on the open vibrations side of this place - Right near the dining area, a flight of steps led above to a quiet area, with rows of color-coordinated cushions and comfy lounges to sit, read, play board games, or chill out. Everything seemed nice and peaceful. When the concept of the AyurevaGram was conceptualized more than 20-30 years ago, I learned this piece of land was chosen far from the regular hustle and bustle of life. It was hard to believe I was in the heart of an over-crowded, now full of obscenely high-rise buildings in the big city of Bengaluru, Karnataka. For the most part, it remained unchanged, (except for that one Southside street that had become popularly busy over the years).
Sambrani and Essential Oil
As I retired to bed, a lady knocked to come in and fumigate the room with some eco-friendly ‘Sambrani Dhoop’ and lit up a tea candle to gently heat some oil. The mosquitoes had started showing up already and I felt grateful for the management to proactively take care of them using natural ingredients. The popular yet harmful plug-and-use AllOut was provided as an alternative too, but I believe the use of natural insect repellers such as Sambrani and essential oils made these pesky mosquitoes and their painful stings way less deadly than the stings experienced in New Delhi or the rest of India.
My Treatment is Delayed
On Day #1, after breakfast, I went to relax in my room for instructions, I had a few visitors. The important ones were my Doctor and Yoga teacher. They each took a brief history of me and left. I had some measurements taken on my first Abhiyanga later that day. As the day progressed, I realized the street food I had delighted myself with over my stay in Delhi and Bengaluru had finally upset my stomach. Even though I skipped lunch, dinner, and the tasting event (at a cooking demo that evening), my condition progressively worsened by the end of the day. Given my upset stomach, the Doctor explained they had to postpone Panchkarma before I could feel better. So due to my upset stomach, I ended up delaying starting my treatment by a day. This sounded very odd. Wasn’t I here to recover from my health issues? Why was I explained, that being sick (in one way) was a hindrance to feeling better in other ways? But as the days progressed, all of this made complete sense to me.
So Day#2 being my day of recovery, I was free to enjoy the delicacies prepared at all meal times - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And with a little help from the Doctor, my condition quickly improved making me fit enough to start the panchakarma the following day.
On day #3 they start me on my 4-day ghee regimen. I enjoyed the therapists paying me a visit at 7 each morning, giving me a flash face massage while performing many important daily rituals as prescribed in the Ayurvedic Dincharya
Medicated Ghee. There was no scope to cheat. The therapist would not leave until she made sure we gulped down the entire thing down our throats ;)
Panchkarma - The Real Deal
As the days progressed, so did the quantity of my daily ghee intake. From the type of medicated ghee to its quantity, to the specific panchakarma technique best suited for your unique condition and constitution; everything was tailor-made for an individual. After the 4 days of ghee intake, I had a day of rest. Followed by a day of purging. The technique chalked out for me was Vamana. Consuming specific fluids early morning and then throwing them up in a specific and unique way. Others having that same treatment were made to follow an entirely different protocol. For some, it was Virechana. For some both, yet for others, neither.
One guest had a bloodletting being done. For the faint-hearted, Feel free to skip this para. The bloodletting by leeches, the specific point they are attached to, their latching procedure, dropping off on their process, the getting that blood out of the leeches' bodies, followed by their sterilization process all sounds like sci-fi, as in beyond comprehension of a normal brain. Part of the science and reasoning behind it was that we grow upside down, brains being our roots are something that needs to be taken care of first and foremost.
My purge was planned on days #6 and #8 of Panchkarma. The day before Vamana my wonderful skilled doctor - Dr. Harsha Nair, had briefed me on the hows, whens, whats, and whys. She mentally prepared me and helped me keep my fears and anxiety at bay. I was intrigued to learn, the level of detail explained in the Ayurvedic texts, at every step involved. And every micro-step had to be followed and executed with that same precision. Be it the specific point to be massaged on my stomach, to the quality, quantity, or sequence of milk, kashaya, and saltwater to be consumed. Ayurveda also listed good and not-so-good targets for purge; with signs to look at each step. Since this was an induced purge, it had none of the bad aftertaste or smell. There was more fear in my head than in the actual process itself.
When my count reached 8 - which I was explained earlier was a good number, I shouted with glee “8 ho gaya”. Oh Gosh, my doctor laughed at how focused was I on meeting my targets in the middle of a purge! She later lightly complimented me that in her 9 (If I remember that number correctly) years of practice, she had never met someone who counted their targets in the middle of a purge. HaHa! She was also extremely happy with my unique idea to take the help of my tongue cleaner. And exclaimed - going forward it's going to be their new friend! Now that surely felt like a lifetime kind of a compliment.
Shortly after - I spend the rest of the morning and noon reading and relaxing in the hammock, hanging right between two trees right outside my cottage. By noon that day, my serious and slow steps had transformed into the joyous hopping and skipping kind. Let me relive that noon by singing one of my fav childhood songs in my head for a moment - “Dil hai chota sa…. chand tarone ko choo-ney ki Aasha…. aa-sa-maa-none mein uDhaey ki Aasha…. ”
By the time I was done that morning, my Doctor had already built up her mind and changed the original detox plan to end the detox cycle. Nothing was ever written in stone. Every customized plan was fluid. My next day’s treatment depended on how I felt and performed today. At all times in the program, I was at the center of the program, as it should be in any traditional holistic methodology. What followed later was Shamana (rejuvenation and pacification), which ideally should be equal to the number of days, spent over cleansing.
Dr. Harsha Nair possessed both healing hands and an ability to perceive beyond the surface. Though reserved at first, she opened up quickly in the days that followed. While at Ayurvedagram, I was free from the stress of work, home chores, and responsibilities, and felt carefree. However, Dr. Nair sensed that something was holding me back in life. On one occasion, she helped me open up about my struggles in a casual yet tactful manner. As I shared my burdens with her, she mentally pieced together my life's puzzle. She encouraged me to discuss not only physical but also metaphysical issues that affect the quality of our lives. It was comforting to place my trust in her and relieve myself mentally during our conversations. Despite the high number of guests, Dr. Nair always listened to me with patience and urged me to speak my mind, no matter how trivial or significant the topic was.
My rejuvenation regime was mainly tablets and kashaya. Small cups with meds' names and guests' names were delivered thrice a day to doorsteps. This level of care seemed far too stretched. I once asked Dr. Harsha, the reason. I was explained - not everyone guest could be expected to keep up with the medicinal schedule. So as keep it consistent, this tedious methodology of dispensing meds had been devised. She also fully agreed with me on the amount of environmental pollution these umpteen amount of paper cups were creating each day; and assured me that the management was aware and trying to come up with an alternative feasible solution.
The major treatments were different and a unique combination in a specific sequence of Abhiyanga, Shirodhara, and a dozen other treatments. As I entered Abhiyanga on my last day, I felt bliss. But I left out of the session, I left light-headed for a bit. As I shared this with the doctor, she explained that it was normal to feel that way, as it was one of the indications of the successful completion of the cleansing and rejuvenation process. Goodness! How in the world did Baghbhat ji or other Rishis come up with all of these details in prehistoric times? This science was truly mind-boggling for me. And I am so glad I decided to have a first-hand taste of it.
I became a vegan for ethical reasons in 2010 and have not lived a moment of regret since then. I plan to stay a vegan activist for the rest of my life. Don’t get me wrong on the ghee consumption here. Since 2010 I have not had ghee or other dairy products, except for the occasional tempering (tarka) at a social gathering. After moving to San Antonio, Texas last year, my allergies had taken a toll on my life, as did my hormone imbalance. For this 14-day Ayurvedic treatment I made an informed decision to leave my ethical choices aside and come to embrace a 5000-plus-year-old tradition; considered as the magic pill. I have my fingers crossed for next year's pollen season.
The Cottages
Flashback prior month, I had first reached out to check out my options with the reception. I was impressed by how clear and detailed the email communication was. To my surprise, almost everything you needed to know about your stay had been documented. This was so very unlike my experience elsewhere. There was a glorious mention of the cottages as well a well-maintained library. I looked forward to checking out both. I was allocated an 18th-century cottage called Nirvana. Right next to my cottage, a couple with an 18-month toddler had checked in. The wife was another student at KAA.
Flash forward, every day as I unwinded, I would be in awe of the beauty of not just one cottage, but every building out there. Throughout the retreat center, intricate wood carvings could be seen across the cottages, reception, and other common areas. I once requested the front desk for a tour of the historical significance and architecture. But apparently, there was no one aware enough to conduct one. The wood carvings were pretty intricate. Each day of my stay I noticed newer and unique carvings all over the campus. The minute details that went into constructing those original buildings (some 200+ years ago) somewhere in Kerela were insane. I felt transported to an era of powerful people who might have lived in those back in Kerela. The painstaking process of tearing them down, shipping them to Bengaluru, and then putting them back piece by piece must have been time-consuming and tedious beyond imagination. Hats off to all involved as well as leading that project.
At the Entrance. Check carvings in the far back
Library
My stay at Ayurevedagram left me with tons of extra time. So one morning with my expectations rising high from the initial communication, I headed to the conference room in the middle of the dining area. It had three cupboards full of books. I set myself on a mission to find literature on Ayurveda or Panchkarma in particular. To my dismay, I did not find a single page, let alone a book. Instead, that morning I had to wash my hands multiple times, scrubbing heaps of dust sitting for years over rows and rows of books in obscure languages and topics which had no relevance to this time and place whatsoever. At a traditional place that attracts visitors from all over the world, one would think the management would take extra measures to showcase India's rich culture and heritage. Art, Music, Dance, Architecture, Spirituality, Temples, or at very least some of the many branches of Yoga, Chakras, Mudras, Health, and Healing. Books on ancient Saints and Rishis would have been such a great addition. Adi Shankaracharya for instance - who hailed from Kerela but spent a good amount of his time in Karnataka would have been so place-appropriate. After a couple of hours of digging and being highly disappointed, I asked around and was explained, the many rare Ayurveda books had been taken away by the guests, and in turn, they replaced those with the books they brought with them. It was a hard-to-digest response, as at most libraries, there is always that one last piece of boring literature that nobody wants to read, lying sad and alone in some corner of some bookshelf. But not even one of those kinds was to be found. However, I eventually found something to amuse myself. I finished Sudha Murti’s ‘ House of Cards’. And started Sathguru’s Jaggi Vasudev’s Mystic’s Musings and another book by Nityananda.
The Gau Shale (Cow Shed) - Another sad story!
If I am not mistaken, India is home to at least a few hundred varieties of what are popularly clustered together and known as Desi cows. Traditionally Karnataka alone has been home to several such as Amritmahal, Alambadi, Bargur, Khillari, Kangayam, Hallikar, Pullikulam, and Umblachery; to name a few. Several independent research organizations have scientifically proven that not just milk but the waste products of these Indian breeds are superior to their Western counterparts. Regardless, in recent times, the Western breed have gained much popularity in the Indian market, as they produce roughly 10 times more milk than most of their Indian counterparts. Ayurvedagram was developing its cow shed. What seemed like cross-breed varieties, the black and white spotted varieties of 4 cows and 3 calves did not have their traditional humps or hanging neck extensions; and had eyes bulging out with fearful popping-out gaze; typical of the Holstein Friesian, Jersey, and other Hybrid Western counterparts.
This little 2-month-old baby calf was always tethered 20 meters away and out of sight of her mom, into her little isolated corner. Compare that to a human baby being given time out, but instead of lasting for just 2 minutes, this timeout lasted for the entire waking up duration, day after day, every day of its life. Worst, no matter what time of the day I came to say Hi to this baby, she always seemed to be starving. On days when her frail body couldn't get up to greet me or brush and push her body against mine, it would be heartbreaking to notice the row of nonstop tears trickling down her cheeks out of hunger. I could easily feed her for a good 30 min at a minimum at each visit. And all your experts out there! Remember! A baby will NOT and can NOT eat when full. The calf's state was as heartbreaking and pitiable as any other stable in the rest of India. Again typical of commercial dairy farms, rows of 5 milkmen could be seen sitting idle, oblivious that the little ones and their mothers had been sitting in their pile of poop, perhaps for hours at a stretch.
The small number of cows did not meet the voracious ghee/milk/other dairy products required for treatment and consumption by this large number of AyurvedaGram guests. But my best guess is in the coming years, that is the direction this dairy farm plans to be headed to.
Evening Events
Most evenings the management at AyurvedaGram tried to throw in a fun session for its guests. One night there was a Shiva temple visit which I missed as it coincided with my session timings. Another night, there was a trip planned to the local Shani temple. The campus was far too big to be able to explore exhaustively. Yet it felt nice to be able to drive out to something different.
If we were not driven to a temple, the conference room in the middle of the airy dining area was where the evening lectures happened. The one on Dincharya was interesting and inspiring. The one on VKP went by quickly. It felt like a boring repetition for the 2nd year Kerela Ayurvedic Academy students staying on their 5-day mandatory internship from California; incidentally making up for 50% of the guests that particular night. The Stress Management session had two parts. Part A was some basic info about Ashtanga Yoga - the 8 limbs of Yoga. With all due regards, very poorly delivered. Bluntly put, being a subject matter expert is not enough. A grip over language and the art of communication are equally important factors. But the Part B, a mediation session, left me feeling transformed.
Tonight was a cooking demo. The tiny evenly diced onions, tomatoes, and such looked ‘computerized’. Someone noticed the nonstick cookware being used for each of the demo items. When they asked, we didn’t quite get an adequate response on the reason for the chosen cookware, [despite all the awareness around its harmful effects]. At the second cooking demo session, I sincerely hoped that nonstick cookware was not the norm. Sadly I was so wrong! Tonight someone asked for recommendations for oils. Immediately came the reply; refined oil, olive oil, and ghee were used for preparation! Refined Oil!! I am to find someone working at a health facility (regardless of being in the Western or Eastern world) having an iota of interest in health, yet unaware of the harmful effects of processed refined oils. Yet here we were being advised to use refined oil by the Chief Chef at a 5-star rated health resort!
Daily Therapies & My Therapists
Each day guests would have both a major and minor treatment. Roughly translating into an hour-and-a-half-hour treatment. The therapists were mainly from Kerala and most spoke almost none to moderate Hindi or English. The therapists were eager to make your session pleasant and comfortable and would check on you multiple times to make sure nothing came between their guests and their relaxation. The therapists were well-trained in their jobs. The hour-long massage therapies, always had two (sometimes more) therapists on either side. Their hands rolled up and down, in such complex yet synchronous movements, that it was hard to imagine being worked upon by two not one therapist. Plus the amount of energy that went into administering a single massage was astounding. Multiply that with 3-4 guests each day times 2 treatments per guest. Yet despite these intensely energy-demanding routines, each therapist managed to maintain a sense of calm at all times.
My designated therapist Akhila was always friendly and caring. The co-therapist Lijjie had an innocence embedded in her smile. She could barely speak Hindi or English. Akhila spoke broken Hindi and English, just enough for a basic conversation. I barely knew any Malayali baring a couple of words; I managed to learn from her (when I requested her to teach). Regardless we still managed to converse. Her entertaining jokes kept my laughing throughout a session I didn't fall asleep in. The inquisitive side of me wanted to learn about the ingredients in the number of kashaya, oils, and pastes I was being administered. Akhila would generally gladly share. Knowing that I did not consume meat; on specific occasions which required mutton or eggs as such, she would politely go quiet (to not hurt my feelings).
One particular noon I was exhausted from the intense cleanse. I wasn't confident enough to walk out on my own. That noon, she insisted on dropping me off in my room. After a few moments of walking together, I felt better and requested her to turn back to attend to her next guest. But she refused to budge. She maintained a nice grip on me despite my repeated insistence. She always went above and beyond. Now and then, she would give in to my quick requests here and there where ever possible. On her days off, other on-duty therapists ensured the same level of care. I felt pampered and cared for during my entire stay.
At any point, multiple guests would receive treatments in adjoining rooms in each of the female and male corridors categorically separated. After each session, these rooms were thoroughly cleaned. Each room was equipped with a table, rest room, and a steam bath. When I was in the last room, Akhila would have to step in now and then to switch the steam bath equipment. Despite her best efforts, the steam funneling unevenly inside would burn my underarms and underlegs. The one in the third room worked in some other faulty way. It funneled focused steam as well. On days I was allocated this room, Akhila would suggest I rotate myself on the stool inside. Her suggestion helped me to avoid localized burns on my lower back. The one in the first room worked the best of all without having to be shut on and off and leaving any burning sensations.
The Dining Incharge
After a rejuvenating therapy, I would step out on the lush green lawns and walk over to that beautifully laid dining area next door that I mentioned above. No buying groceries, no cooking or cleaning, yet I got to enjoy the luxury of an array of freshly prepared delicious warm meals, thrice a day. On my front, my husband had not just volunteered to look after our kids, but had rather loving insisted that I deserved this much-needed stay to rejuvenate myself. My life could not be more beautiful. Meal times were relaxed and super long. I ended up making friends with guests pouring from all over the world. Everyone here was on a healing mission with a unique story to share.
I so looked forward to my breakfast times. Each morning the chef would stand by his commercial dosa pan, waiting for specific instructions. Ever eager to serve a piping hot dosa of the day. It felt like I had just checked into h-e-a-v-e-n. Back in the States, by the time you are done cooking, serving everyone, and wrapping up, the food is no longer hot. (On a personal note eating at a restaurant with a baby/preschooler by my side for over a decade and a half - has been anything but relaxing. I rather preferred eating at home, which on the hind side, kept the harmful ingredients and stale vegetables at bay and worked in favor of my guts too.)
These relish meals were not allowed on specific days of the treatment plan. On those specific days, one was expected to adhere to the strictest diet plans as advised by the doctor to ensure the treatment plan was most effective. These dietary guidelines were prescribed based on symptoms, type of Panchkarma, and other factors. Amrish Anna (Anna: as in elder brother - as I would like to address him) - the main charge of the dining area had a supercomputer fit into his head. The doctors would give detailed instructions on every individual’s diet plan; which would change ever so often, perhaps even as quickly as every other day. At each meal, he knew by heart - as to which guest was to have ganji (overnight fermented rice water), not have papaya, restrict to single dosa, have customized sugar controlling ingredients added to their customized batter, be off the coconut water, and whatnot! Like literally down to the minutest details! Guests would pour in as an individual, couples, or a group from KAA. Again guests would stay anywhere from one day to a few weeks. Despite the large influx of incomers and outgoers, Anna’s supercomputer brain had every single guest’ detailed dietary plan on his tips. In short, it was insane how Ambrish Anna and his crew of four would not falter with any individual's meals - that too thrice each day. And always with a warm smiling face!
Every individual who entered that dining area was treated with utmost care and affection. The kind you might anticipate from an affectionate elder. If I ever planned on skipping a meal, I would get a reminder call in my room with a genuine grandma-style insistence to have at least a nibble if I was not in the mood for a full meal. I am so not used to eating these many meals a day, but when being talked into it, I reminded myself to enjoy this luxury till it lasted and gave in to my desires.
When my in-laws visited me for a day trip, Anna and his crew, went above and beyond to ensure my in-laws were well-fed and made comfortable. It seemed one of Anna’s dear family members had arrived that day. It was heartwarming, that I was not an exception to receive that level of treatment. Throughout my stay, fresh herbal tea, ragi roti, room delivery, and other personal requests were accepted and met gladly without a single frown. Occasionally I would be curious about a specific preparation. Anna and the crew would help me get all the answers I needed. Their upbeat attitude made a world of difference to me. What made all of this more interesting is that most of the 104-member staff at AyurvedaGram received a weekly day off. But never once was this crew of 4 off for a single meal, a single day! Their top-class services sincerely made me feel pampered.
Perhaps something which did not impact me directly, but impressed me largely was that the two permanent chefs; who mainly stayed inside; were no different either. On a particular day, I overheard a not-so-happy guest’s conversation. Unlike my positive experience, this guest seemed unhappy about the softness of the rotis and the taste of other menu items. On another day, he summoned these two chefs and gave them very specific instructions for rice pulav. I overheard the guest commanding that carrots be increased, peas decreased, and so on.
Do you know what’s unique and beautiful about India? Travel 25 kilometers in any direction from where you are standing. Order the same dish! I can guarantee you, the tastes will differ. Each city in each state in India has a culture so rich, everything comes in a million different flavors. Unlike McDonald's Beef laden potato fries, there is no single flavor template for any dish, be it something as simple as poha, idli chutney, or poori aalo. And that’s what makes India's food culture so enriching. Plus from my personal experience of cooking and serving three meals a day, I can confidently share - no two pulav in my life have ever been the same! Like never! From the varying size of carrots to the quality of the rice grain, to the quantity of the peas lying around that day, every single pulav is uniquely different from the million others I ever cooked in the past. Yet here these helpless chefs stood there, standing with hands folded, smiling, and listening to this one guest's endless instructions. I couldn't help but notice, during that entire long ridiculous lecture, these chefs didn't have a single wrinkle on their forehead! They seriously deserved a round of applause for their immense patience.
Yoga sessions
With my mornings now free of cooking, cleaning, and packing lunch boxes - I thoroughly enjoyed my time and looked forward to the daily 7:30 Yoga classes. We were a mixed batch of guests, with varying degrees of prior experience, ages, conditions, and abilities. The sukshma vyama or gentle pose were something that catered to our mixed bunch of audiences by large. After a lull period of no yoga for more than a year, this class opened up my body within a matter of days. Both Shambu Nath ji and Vijay Master ji were subject matter experts and always willing to stay back to clear doubts and answer questions.
Each morning Yoga Master Vijay Ganesh ji would light up the lamp, and the intense sticks making the hall feel like a temple rather than a typical yoga hall. The yoga mats, almost permanently placed in neat rows and columns were almost 6.5x3.5 ish feet and were the largest I have ever seen. So sad I asked where and how to buy them for my usage, yet no one knew.
I do need to mention the energies of the yoga hall. From decades of these Yoga Gurus and other meditators having spent countless hours in that room, the vibes inside were amazing. There was more than once when I felt those flutters in my heart one feels before reaching that fractional state of Dhayan. And that is coming from someone who has rarely achieved that state. But at the very least, everytime I would leave the Yoga hall, I would feel taller and calmer.
The “Sadhana” Yoga Hall held three sessions every day. Yoga, Pranayam, and Meditation. Each individual had their therapy sessions scattered at varying times, throughout the day. For some of us, the therapy sessions would coincide with one or more of these three Yoga sessions. But thanks to the time-tested processes at AyurvedaGram; the guests could attend backups for any of their missed sessions. Occasionally when the 45 min session by Shambhhu ji would end 10 or more min earlier, the lazy side of me would be more than just delighted.
Our Yoga Gurus (needless to mention Doctor and other staff) willingly shared their personal cell numbers for everyone to stay in touch and follow up after our stays ended. Back in the States, all queries are directed via the front desk. This extra layer of communication restricts the spirit of the conversation, leaving most of us uninterested to follow up.
Oils and Utensils
Ever since I had been off that ghee treatment and started those sumptuous three meals a day, I started having a not-so-good aftertaste after my mouth. It was hard for me to put a finger, but it all made sense when I learned that 100% of the meals in the kitchen are made from refined oils (with ghee added at some point). Like so many others in my generation, I grew up consuming refined and vegetable or other oils, only to realize not before I hit 30, how damaging it had been all my life (and very interestingly even to my husband)
Oh, and talking about olive oil - I wonder what was Olive oil doing in an Indian-based Ayurvedic kitchen. Olives don’t even grow in India. Isn’t Ayurveda all about eating local and seasonal? Oh well!
So we had cooking demos in nonstick pots and pans, with preparations made from refined oils; and I started to learn; about utensils made from aluminum. As I paid further attention, I realized even the pastes heated and prepared at the therapy session in pressure cookers were aluminum based.
So much for coming to AyurvedaGram for a detox rather than getting exposed to benzoate and heavy metals! Was my Indian-based Disneyland trip coming to an end?
When you get a taste of America
I had been so sick and tired on my first day of arrival that I completely forgot receiving a major treatment on Day#1. So, I miscalculated in my head received 13 major treatments (instead of 14). As I approached the front desk on my final day to make payments, I casually (yet incorrectly) mentioned 13 instead of 14 sessions. In response, I was informed that supposedly based on the “package I had bought” I had to have an exact 14 number of treatments. I could not have any less. And I could not have the last one adjusted with any other treatment either. I repeated my expereince of being light-headed after the treatment earlier in that day. I also tried to explain how the Doctor had confirmed I didn’t need any further treatments, based on how I felt. But the front desk would not budge. How I felt or what I wanted was not their priority. Their priority was making sure if I paid for 14 sessions, it's what I got. Neither one less, nor one more. I have to mention; their rigidity to force me to have a 14th session; and unwilling to refund or adjust one it any way didnt leave a good taste in my mouth. All this while my treatment plan was rotating around how my body was feelt/did/responded/reacted; just as it should have been. But this front desk conversation felt so Americanized. It was the last thing you would expect at an Ayurvedic Health center, based in India. I was suddenly mentally transported from my Indian fairyland into my home country and reality.
I had a packed schedule ahead of me. My blood work, photo sessions for memories, wrap up my packing, prepare for my long journey back home and more. I paid my dues and left the receiption immediately.
Later that eveing, on seeing my measurements from Day#1, I had a flashback later that night. Luckily that helped me realiz my miscalculation. When everything came together, I was in awe of the brains and intellect of our Ayurvedic Rishis had come to. How on earth did they conclude that 14 days was the magical number? How did they know that a body would resist treatment after the 14th day?
Earlier that day, I went back and forth with both my doctors to ensure I didn't receieve additional treatments just cause the front desk had to deliver their 14-day promise. My body's innate calling was more precious than a treatnent worth a couple thousand rupees. Later Doctor patiently assured me treatment records were being maintained in three different logs, each from a different perspective, to checks and balances in place. Again the time-tested processes of Ayurvedamgram were very impressive.
Settling Back Into My Routine
As I wrap up my jotting down my memories, I am reminded there are so many I missed thanking. Manju Driver, Asoka Driver - who showed me the famed bat tree on the way back; the daily cleaners - who spent generous amounts of time, (unlike the regular maids in regular Indian households); and so many others. I have gratitude for each individual who contributed to ensuring my stay was pleasant and comfortable. I will always cherish my time there. I left AyurvedaGram 12 days ago and am back in my normal routine. I continue to be grateful to my Yoga Masters whose yoga sequence was intuitive enough for me to remember and reproduce on most mornings. I miss the flowers handed over to me at 7 am with a cute "Have a Good Day Ma'am" smile. I have been able to continue the nasya from the dincharya for a few days. Although I don't look forward to the momentary sting the anutailam leaves behind. What I was prescribed by my Doctor helps in soothing, relaxing, cooling down, calming down, etc. The only caveat is that regardless of how long I stare at it from across from my desk, it only works when I use it. :)
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