Panchakarma Preparation

Panchakarma is an ancient, powerful, and effective form of cleansing and rejuvenation for the body, mind, and consciousness. It is a time of deep healing. Some of the benefits you may experience are: An enhanced sense of strength, vitality, and overall immunity. A feeling of lightness, ease, and mental clarity both in mind and body. A deeper knowingness of self and spirit. Improved ability to digest food, experiences and emotions from eliminating excess toxins and restoring balance.

Your Panchakarma begins prior to arrival with a week of guided preparation and personal self-care. I will call a week prior to arrival and review your Panchakarma plan. Please complete your Health History Form in advance here. However once at the clinic you will receive regular consultations, daily treatments and meals, as well as time for silence, yoga, meditation, and contemplation. If you have any questions or concerns, please call (802) 872 - 8898 or email me at info@ayurvedavermont.com.

I look forward to serving you, Om Shanti.
Allison Morse

What to Expect During Panchakarma

  • Please be on time for your treatments. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled treatment to allow time to sit, relax and have some tea.

    Your treatment and the herbs and oils we use, are based on your Prakruti/Vikruti. They may include, Abhyanga, Swedana and Shirodhara. Please see our Treatment menu for a complete description of these treatments. You will need to shower after your treatment. We provide towels, a hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner and soap. If you are attending Yoga on this day, please be sure to thoroughly shampoo the oil from your hair so we don't ruin the yoga props.

    Your treatments are profound and relaxing, they improve the flow of energy by opening the srotas (channels of circulation), and prepare the body to eliminate excess doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) and/or toxins (ama) on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels.  Depending on your doshic imbalance, you may be advised and given instructions on one of the following: 

    1) Herbal enema, for which you will be given the herbs, equipment and directions to administer to yourself; or
    2) Herbal purgation, for which you will be given the herbs and instructions.

  • Although these treatments may seem subtle, when combined with the preparation for Panchakarma, they have a profound effect. While it is a physical process, it affects the body, mind and spirit. When you begin your pre-Panchakarma preparation (before you arrive) you may begin to notice shifts in your self awareness. This may continue to shift during the course of your treatments.

    It is common for unresolved issues to come up which can sometimes make one feel upset or uncomfortable, and sometimes detoxifying can be uncomfortable. It is important that you tell us about this so we can assist you in the process.

    You may notice sadness, grief, anger, elation and joy. Meditation, yoga and pranayama can be effective ways to help release these issues from the mind and body. These emotions are usually heightened during mid-week and often become resolved by Thursday or Friday, leaving you with a light, clear and peaceful feeling.

  • Panchakarma is an ongoing process that continues even after you complete the program. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual effects may be experienced in the weeks following. It is important to recognize that these effects are normal and to process them consciously. If at any time following Panchakarma you experience anything unusual that concerns you, please call. We are here for you.

  • During your stay, we will provide you with kitchari (a rice and mung dhal dish) and special herbal teas. The kitchari mono-diet supports detoxification while being nutritious and easy to digest. Kitchari is provided before and after your treatment.

    If you are staying off site, you may take some home for later that day. If this is the case, please bring a container with you to transport the food.

    Please avoid cold drinks, cold food, meat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine and refined sugar one week before and after Panchakarma.

  • Your massage team may consist of a male therapist and a female therapist or two female therapists, please let us know if this does not suit you.

  • There are certain medical conditions for which Panchakarma is contraindicated (not advised). It is therefore important for you to complete all forms and return them as soon as possible.

    We need time to review the information to determine if this is right for you before you make final travel arrangements. Upon arrival, if we determine that you have a contraindicated condition, one that no one was aware of, or that has recently developed, it may be necessary to suspend Panchakarma treatment until such time as we feel treatment is indicated, if at all during your visit. Alternative treatments may be applicable. These will be determined on a case by case basis by the Ayurvedic Consultant. If the following conditions exist, Panchakarma may not be advisable. Such conditions will be reviewed with an Ayurvedic Consultant to determine if treatment is appropriate.

    Pregnancy
    Emaciation
    Hypertension
    Extreme Obesity
    Congestive Heart Failure
    Any Active Infectious Disease
    Lactation
    Certain types of cancer
    HIV or AIDS

    The Ayurvedic Center of Vermont is not a medical facility. Panchakarma clients are expected to be healthy enough to take care of their own basic needs. If this could be an issue for you, please inform us and we can discuss possible options.

How to Plan & Prepare

  • Light reading, journal, books conducive to healing or of a spiritual nature. Please dress warmly. We suggest bringing layers. Your senses may be heightened so having what you need to stay comfortable is important, for example a scarf, a warm hat you don’t mind getting oil on, etc. . We recommend that you keep your head covered during the course of treatment, especially in the colder Vermont months. You will find it comforting.

  • You will have three 1-hour yoga sessions during your stay for the five day Panchakarma and two 1-hour yoga session for a three day Panchakarma. Please advise the teacher about your yoga background and of any injuries or limitations.

    Your class may consist of gentle restorative postures, pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation. Specific yoga postures may be recommended for your condition.

  • If you are currently taking Ayurvedic herbs, you can continue them during your preparation.
    *Herbs will be recommended during your Program and are an additional cost.

  • We offer additional treatments that may compliment your experience. Please view our Treatment menu for details and descriptions.

    If you are interested in receiving additional treatments, please let us know before you arrive and we will make sure to schedule into your week. Also based on your current state of health, your initial consultation, and intake form, additional treatments may be recommended over the course of your Panchakarma. Here below are some supportive add-ons.

    • Kati Basti
    • Netra Basti
    • Hrid Basti
    • Nasya
    • Pinda Sweda
    • Maya Abdominal Massage
    • Jyotisha/Vedic Astrology
    • Reiki-Chakra Balancing
    • Sound Healing (Tibetan Singing Bowls)
    • Core Shamanic Clearing

  • An initial deposit is required at time of booking. Upon arrival, the remaining balance will be charged to the credit card on file. If you would like to pay with a different credit card, with a check or cash, please let us know before you arrive.

    Any additional treatments, therapies or services added over the course of the week will be settled on your final day prior to check out.

    Please contact us to schedule, add-on treatments or pay your initial deposit.

  • Your panchakarma retreat deposit ($450 for a 5 day Panchakarma and $650 for a 7 day + $250 to secure accommodations) is non-refundable, but can be applied to any future treatments. Upon arrival, your credit card will be charged for the full program and is non-refundable. We require a 30 day notice for cancellation. If you need to reschedule or cancel your treatments within 30 days of your scheduled treatments, we require full payment which can be applied to future treatments.

Please Note: These services are not intended to diagnose, manage or treat medical conditions and are not a replacement for the care of a physician.

Your Pre-Panchakarma Plan

To help you in the home preparation process, we’ve provided a short guidebook with day-by-day instructions. Included is our kitchari recipe. This will be a nourishing yet simple meal as you transition and prepare for deeper cleansing.

The outline is to be followed the week before your treatments begin. Prior to arrival, you will have a phone consultation with us to go over this protocol in detail and make any adjustments according to you specific needs.

Please make sure to plan accordingly, as you may need to take into account time and days needed for travel.

Click the button below to download the Panchakarma Preparation Plan PDF.

Download the Plan