Panchakarma is Ayurveda’s profound detoxification system. Often referred to as a “rebirth,” the process of panchakarma promotes healing and brings balance on all levels – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You can experience authentic Panchakarma in Seattle – you don’t have to travel to India.
Panchakarma begins with an Ayurvedic consultation. During this consultation we will determine your Ayurvedic Constitution and any current imbalances you may have. We will also discuss your intention for doing panchakarma, as well as your health goals.
Next, we will go over your detailed plan for panchakarma, which involves three phases. The process begins with, purvakarma, where you eat a cleansing Ayurvedic diet for approximately 8 to 10 days. In addition, during this time, there are Ayurvedic herbs you will take and daily self-care practices that you will do to support your detoxification process. Purvakarma includes internal oleation (taking ghee or another oil if you are vegan), purgation, yoga, pranayama, meditation, self-oil massage and journaling. This first phase, purvakarma, is the preparation phase.
After purvakarma, is the panchakarma phase, or detoxification phase, where you receive five consecutive days of Ayurvedic treatments, which includes abhyanga, shirodhara, external basti and swedana. It may include other treatments too, based on any imbalances you are experiencing. Here is a sample schedule of a typical panchakarma treatment day:
After this phase, is the paschatkarma phase, or the rejuvenation phase, where you slowly transition from eating the cleansing diet, and mindfully begin reintroducing foods that you may have eliminated during the preparation and detoxification phase. Paschatkarma includes integrating supportive Ayurvedic diet and self-care practices into your life, as well as taking rejuvenative, or rasayana, herbs.
A follow-up appointment, which is included in the price of your panchakarma, is scheduled four weeks after your panchakarma.
Panchakarma is a beautiful and profound gift to give to yourself – and the benefits continue to unfold for weeks and months after you’ve finished your panchakarma. People choose to do panchakarma for many reasons. Some choose it as a way to annually cleanse, detoxify and maintain health. Others feel that to bring balance into their lives on the physical, mental and emotional level, they need to make significant changes to their diet and lifestyle and choose panchakarma as a meaningful and significant way to begin. Others have given this gift to themselves during major life transitions or milestone birthdays.
Panchakarma is traditionally done during the spring or fall seasons, but it can be done anytime an individual feels they are ready. You’ll need space and time for cooking your own meals, for doing the daily self-care practices and for coming in for treatments. It is highly recommended that you take the five treatment days off from work. It is okay to work during the preparation and rejuvenation phases, but you’ll want to keep activities, commitments and stress at a minimum during this time.
Panchakarma is contraindicated for children, for those overcoming illness and for anyone who is currently frail or weak, as well as for pregnant or postpartum women.
We want to support you fully and completely during your panchakarma process. Here is more information about your practitioners, and why we are passionate about and believe so deeply in Ayurveda.
I experienced my first panchakarma while living in India in 2012. It was 35 days in length, and one of the most profound experiences of my life. Since 2012, I have done panchakarma annually. In 2015, I began working at Bastyr Natural Health Center as an Ayurvedic Therapist, providing traditional Ayurvedic treatments and also, as part of a team of doctors and practitioners there, helped guide patients through panchakarma. What I learned wholeheartedly is that you do not have to go to India to experience authentic panchakarma. At Bastyr, I worked with many beautiful physicians and doctors, and wanted very much to offer panchakarma out of my own treatment space. I am partnering with Jennifer LeValley, Sarah Kruse and Dr. Brigid, because they are experienced, caring, compassionate and committed practitioners – I trust them completely. I have been giving traditional Ayurvedic body work and treatments since 2008, learning from Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners in India. I was certified as an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor through the Ayurvedic Natural Health Center in India, and also with Kerala Academy some years later here in the US.
As an Ayurvedic Practitioner and Massage Therapist, I assist clients in returning to their true nature through Ayurvedic Consultations and nurturing & rejuvenating bodywork. I have chosen to work in the field of Ayurveda for the purpose of bringing healing and awareness to people’s lives so that they can realize their unique life path and contribute their gifts to the world we live in. It is my intention to encourage integration of all health care systems and wisdom traditions for the benefit of all. I am a graduate of The Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico, where I studied under Dr. Vasant Lad, and have traveled extensively throughout India, studying with renowned Ayurvedic doctors and scholars. I am also a graduate of The Brenneke School of Massage in Seattle. I have been practicing Ayurveda since 1999 and massage since 2001. My other great joy in life is caring for my daughter, Amulya. She continues to teach me about unconditional love, playfulness, patience and being fully present. What a gift!
The cost of Panchakarma is $2,950 and includes:
Payment schedule: $500 is collected for your initial consultation. After your initial consultation, the remainder is due. Once paid, there are no refunds. Much time and energy goes into scheduling myself/ourselves to be there for you during your panchakarma. When we commit to being there for you for panchakarma we are scheduling ourselves away from other work and commitments, so this is why a refund is not possible.
*You will purchase your groceries/food supplies, as well as your daily massage oil for your home abhyanga (self-oil massage)
*If you would like me to prepare your lunch and dinner of kitchari for the five days that you are receiving treatments, it is an additional $85 per day.