Pancha Karma Detoxification Therapy

This seven-day Pancha Karma Detoxification Therapy is an Ayurveda retreat at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California, in the Sierra foothills of Northern California. It is led by Vaidya Bharathi A.V. BAMS, FAIHM, YIC, and is meant for people who want to receive Pancha Karma, Ayurveda's system of purification and rejuvenation, within the daily rhythm of an ashram.

Pancha Karma looks for the root cause of imbalance and works to bring body, mind and emotions back into harmony. Here it is paired with the ashram's own schedule of yoga, meditation, chanting and lectures, so the treatment sits inside a quiet, supported routine.

What to Expect

The experience begins before you travel. You meet Vaidya Bharathi for a full Ayurvedic evaluation and consultation in an online session, and your therapies are planned from that assessment. The preparatory phase of the cleanse is recommended to start 10 to 15 days before you arrive, and the herbs prescribed for it are mailed to you. Treatments are customized to your prakriti and your health needs.

On arrival day, check-in opens at 2:00pm, and guests are encouraged to arrive by 4:00pm for the asana class. Dinner is at 6:00pm, followed by a welcoming orientation at 7:00pm and satsang at 8:00pm.

During the stay you receive four individualized oil therapy sessions of two hours each, along with Ayurveda consultations with the practitioner team and herbs for cleansing. Daily yoga asana and pranayama classes, meditation, chanting and philosophical lectures are part of the ashram day, and Ayurveda workshops are offered during the week. The rest of the time is left open for walks in nature, reading and rest. Guests are asked to leave phones and gadgets behind.

Check-out is by 12:00pm on the last day, and you are welcome to stay on the grounds for the rest of the afternoon.

About Vaidya Bharathi A.V.

Dr. Bharathi A.V. holds the credentials BAMS, FAIHM and YIC and is an Ayurveda practitioner, speaker and educator with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She received her Bachelor's degree in Ayurveda (BAMS) from Bangalore University in India. She describes her approach as working with each client as a team to create health and balance.

The Setting

The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm sits in Grass Valley, in the Sierra foothills. Past guests describe comfortable cabins, walking paths and a labyrinth, with yoga and meditation offered twice daily. Your stay includes a private single cabin, in either the Shanti or the Siva category, and nourishing food throughout the week.

Before You Go

No particular level of yoga or Ayurveda experience is stated. Because the plan is individualized after your online evaluation, the treatments are shaped around you. The program is taught in English.

Included are the private cabin, the online evaluation and consultation, four 2-hour oil therapies, cleansing herbs including the preparatory phase, consultations during the stay, daily yoga, meditation and chanting, workshops, and meals. Books and materials are available for purchase in the ashram boutique.

Bring slip-on shoes, loose comfortable clothing, writing materials, a meditation shawl or blanket, a yoga mat and a flashlight.