I never knew I needed a break until I found myself booking a week-long retreat at Kaivalyadhama Ashram. Nestled amidst the lush Sahyadri mountains in Lonavala, this 180-acre wellness oasis offered the perfect escape.
The truth is, my parents were the architects of this impromptu getaway. Concerned about my recent weight gain, they subtly nudged me towards a Panchkarma program. While I initially dismissed the idea, my deep-rooted love for Ayurvedic treatments eventually won me over. Add to this, the proximity of the ashram from Mumbai was a win win. Little did I know what was I in for!
It is a Sunday-to-Sunday weekly retreat program where one can sign up for various program ranging from Yoga & Relaxation, Yoga & Naturopathy, Yoga & Healing etc. I signed up for Yoga & Ayurveda Program focusing on Panchkarma treatment under the guidance of Dr. Jagdish L. Bhutada. Apart from these programs, one can even sign up for various workshops such as Chakra Meditation, Mastery of the mind etc.
The check-in time is 1pm but it is better to confirm with the team especially during rainy season. The luggage is dropped to your respective rooms while check-in and you are taken to the main reception area for consultation and doctor meet up. After filling the required details about your current health issues mental or physical, the doctor checks your naadi and recommends treatment as per your body requirement. He also assigns a therapist and a time for the following days.
They also serve snacks in between since the waiting time is long depending upon the enrolments for that day. The first day is more about consultation and an orientation on what the week is going to look like, the do’s and don’ts, the culture, the legacy of the institute etc. The day ends with dinner at 8pm.
The next 6 days is divided into 3 phases: Purva Karma (Preparatory phase), Pradhan Karma, (main purification phase) and Samana Karma (Rejuvenation phase). This involves beginning with internal medicinal lubrication to detach the body from toxins by any one or a combination of procedures. Therapies include Abhyanga, Potali, Swedan, Shirodhara, Padyabahyanga, Nasya Basti, Karnapuran, Netrabasti, Lepa, Facial, Hrudbasti, Katibasti, Manyabasti, Sandhibandha, and so on.
A combination of yoga practice, intake of herbal decoction teas, a select Satvik diet with supplements, massages and different therapies with medicated oil & medicated ghee is the core essence of this retreat. For me, the most difficult part of the retreat was having the same satvik food everyday but the people around motivated me and laughed enough to get through it.
It was memorable to share all these moments with fellow seekers from diverse backgrounds including Carolina from Brazil, a few fellow Mumbaikars, Rajesh from Shimla and many others. Listening to their stories, experiences, struggles and perspectives made me realize that everyone has their own share of personal struggles and motivation to get through this beautiful life. A week filled with ayurvedic therapies, discussing horrid things about your body conditions with strangers, cribbing about the food, loving therapy yoga, learning pranayama and other techniques – it was worth it!
