I have completed 8 days of vasthi treatment as part of my panchakarma. Vasthi is cleansing the large intestine using medicated suppositories. It flushes out toxins and helps eliminate, control and regulate vata (air) which causes illnesses such as gout, chronic constipation, arthritis, sciatica and eases menopause. The vasthi treatment consists of 5 little vasthi (sesame oil based) and 3 big vasthi (water based).
After steaming and showering, I was given breakfast, then the little vasthi.
I had to go and lie down flat in my room for a minimum of 1 hour, preferably longer before going to the toilet, thereby giving more time for the herbs to draw out toxins.
It's important to be more careful with diet during the vasthi treatment; if you consume gas producing foods, it can cause pain.
For the big vasthi, I was given the suppository after steaming and had to lie down in the treatment room and hold for approximately 5 minutes (though you go when you have to!); preferably going to the toilet a few times, before showering and then going to my room with lunch given in my tiffin box.
I was a little anxious about the vasthi treatments since I had felt quite faint and experienced pain during my first panchakarma a few years ago (because I hadn't had breakfast, and generally not eating much). This time, I took care to make sure I ate properly to minimise any pain, and I was fine.
I felt more light and my appetite increased. The heat and humidity has been increasing at this time which adds to the feeling of fatigue. Panchakarma is really exhausting, so I don't do much more than going to treatments and food. At this time, I didn't have the energy to do much seva and rarely went down in the evenings for the bhajans.
Besides cleaning out the material toxins and accumulated waste from the colon, the vasthis are also working on a deeper level. In my mind, I was churning up past memories. I wanted to forgive myself for my known past mistakes and also forgive others in my past who I have blamed and held responsible for my grievances. During panchakarma, I have been going through a book by Colin Tipping called "Radical Forgiveness". His model for forgiveness resonates with me but at first I was not ready to do the work. I decided to abandon the idea of forgiving. On another day I had a eureka moment when I realised we all make mistakes and deserve the oppportunity to make amends and start afresh. So then, I practised forgiving. It's a work in progress, I know I am not done.
Panchakarma is a great time to do the inner work. The treatments bring old emotions, feelings and thoughts long buried in our cells to the fore so we can process and release them. I like to declutter my personal belongings. It is far more important to declutter negative emotions and thoughts. During this period, I also found myself getting irritated on occasion, feeling bored and for a while escaping to my own fantasy world.
Panchakarma is a process which facilitates reconnection with our true Spirit. Amma has provided a spiritual oasis here in Kerala. Everthing I need is on hand. Even when I don't have the energy to chant myself, I can be in the temple and hear Amma's devotees sing her bhajans and prayers. This is uplifting and helps me to realign myself with Spirit. The ambience here supports the practice of love, compassion and forgiveness.
I was too tired most of the time in the high heat and humidity to practise yoga, but I did a little sometimes during this period, as well as mantra repetition and prayer.
Still sticking to the dietary recommendations in avoiding wheat, dairy (except for occasional buttermilk which is cooling in this heat), no fried foods, baked goods, sugar and cold food and drinks.
At this time, I avoided the Indian curries and sambar as they tend to be spicy, and often use potato (causes gas). I stuck with light kichari, some steamed vegetables and soups, millet porridge, millet pancake, appam & string hoppers (made with rice).
My friends are all tucking into cakes, veggie burgers and chips but so far even when offered I'm not at all tempted. I am aware I have some intolerance to certain common foods and until this changes, I'm better off without those foods, even when I finish panchakarma. I am still taking prescribed ayurvedic medicines, and will probably add triphala to assist my digestion. Now the vasthis have finished, I have started taking organic wheatgrass powder which I bought in Amma's eco shop, to supplement my nutrients as I don't have enough dark greens in the simple ashram menu. I buy some fresh fruit, young coconut drink and fresh red grape juice-a real treat. I once had a yummy raw coconut pie made without added sugar. The cafe here don't have the ingredients to make raw pies often, so it is a deluxe treat when offered.
After steaming and showering, I was given breakfast, then the little vasthi.
I had to go and lie down flat in my room for a minimum of 1 hour, preferably longer before going to the toilet, thereby giving more time for the herbs to draw out toxins.
It's important to be more careful with diet during the vasthi treatment; if you consume gas producing foods, it can cause pain.
For the big vasthi, I was given the suppository after steaming and had to lie down in the treatment room and hold for approximately 5 minutes (though you go when you have to!); preferably going to the toilet a few times, before showering and then going to my room with lunch given in my tiffin box.
I was a little anxious about the vasthi treatments since I had felt quite faint and experienced pain during my first panchakarma a few years ago (because I hadn't had breakfast, and generally not eating much). This time, I took care to make sure I ate properly to minimise any pain, and I was fine.
I felt more light and my appetite increased. The heat and humidity has been increasing at this time which adds to the feeling of fatigue. Panchakarma is really exhausting, so I don't do much more than going to treatments and food. At this time, I didn't have the energy to do much seva and rarely went down in the evenings for the bhajans.
Besides cleaning out the material toxins and accumulated waste from the colon, the vasthis are also working on a deeper level. In my mind, I was churning up past memories. I wanted to forgive myself for my known past mistakes and also forgive others in my past who I have blamed and held responsible for my grievances. During panchakarma, I have been going through a book by Colin Tipping called "Radical Forgiveness". His model for forgiveness resonates with me but at first I was not ready to do the work. I decided to abandon the idea of forgiving. On another day I had a eureka moment when I realised we all make mistakes and deserve the oppportunity to make amends and start afresh. So then, I practised forgiving. It's a work in progress, I know I am not done.
Panchakarma is a great time to do the inner work. The treatments bring old emotions, feelings and thoughts long buried in our cells to the fore so we can process and release them. I like to declutter my personal belongings. It is far more important to declutter negative emotions and thoughts. During this period, I also found myself getting irritated on occasion, feeling bored and for a while escaping to my own fantasy world.
Panchakarma is a process which facilitates reconnection with our true Spirit. Amma has provided a spiritual oasis here in Kerala. Everthing I need is on hand. Even when I don't have the energy to chant myself, I can be in the temple and hear Amma's devotees sing her bhajans and prayers. This is uplifting and helps me to realign myself with Spirit. The ambience here supports the practice of love, compassion and forgiveness.
I was too tired most of the time in the high heat and humidity to practise yoga, but I did a little sometimes during this period, as well as mantra repetition and prayer.
Still sticking to the dietary recommendations in avoiding wheat, dairy (except for occasional buttermilk which is cooling in this heat), no fried foods, baked goods, sugar and cold food and drinks.
At this time, I avoided the Indian curries and sambar as they tend to be spicy, and often use potato (causes gas). I stuck with light kichari, some steamed vegetables and soups, millet porridge, millet pancake, appam & string hoppers (made with rice).
My friends are all tucking into cakes, veggie burgers and chips but so far even when offered I'm not at all tempted. I am aware I have some intolerance to certain common foods and until this changes, I'm better off without those foods, even when I finish panchakarma. I am still taking prescribed ayurvedic medicines, and will probably add triphala to assist my digestion. Now the vasthis have finished, I have started taking organic wheatgrass powder which I bought in Amma's eco shop, to supplement my nutrients as I don't have enough dark greens in the simple ashram menu. I buy some fresh fruit, young coconut drink and fresh red grape juice-a real treat. I once had a yummy raw coconut pie made without added sugar. The cafe here don't have the ingredients to make raw pies often, so it is a deluxe treat when offered.