DIY Cleansing, Part Four

This five part series explores a ‘Guided Home Cleanse’ with Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor and Panchakarma Specialist Allison Bransfield Morse. Allison runs The Ayurvedic Center of Vermont just outside of Burlington, and offers traditional Panchakarma (PK) on site as well as at a distance. This series explores what’s involved with a home PK, why the guidance of a practitioner is needed, and what the benefits may be. Enjoy, and feel free to join in on the conversation.

We don’t know what we’re missing in life until we experience that which we are missing, and are reminded. In my own experience it usually takes someone else to point me in the right direction. I’m predominantly Pitta with a Vata imbalance. I can be too mobile, endlessly active, ungrounded and dry, sometimes even harsh when I’m pushed too  much. With this ‘Guided Home Cleanse’ a whole new experience opened up to me. The word ‘balance’ took on a whole new level of meaning because what was lacking in my daily existence actually showed up and stuck around.

During the PK process my breath and emotional experience became very fluid and my manner became soft. There was an ease to life. I was more aware of my life’s actual situation in relation to my goals and my ideas about how I thought my life was. I was also more aware of my daily habits, what was serving me and what was not serving me. I struggled occasionally when emotions were unpleasant but I managed and I was reminded that I could manage. I also rested very deeply.

According to the sciences of yoga and Ayurveda, there are over 72,000 nadis or channels in the body. Too much processed foods and bad habits and those channels are going to get clogged. Clogged channels affect our sense organs, our digestion, our mental faculties and our whole experience of life. The process of PK loosens and releases these toxins and blockages with diet, oiling the body internally and externally, and other unique cleansing processes.

What kind of results did I get from the cleanse? Enhanced perception, greater awareness, a stronger, more resilient body and improved sense perception, including improved taste, sense of smell and hearing. After the cleanse ended I experienced a freshness and renewal. Built up fatigue had just melted away and my daily tasks were easier to perform.

Most importantly I uncovered a beautiful new experience within myself in the process of PK. All it took was some dedication to the process and a willingness to follow the guidelines set forth.

We are so connected to the food we eat in so many ways. Consider the simple process of Panchakarma to bring balance to your life. It’s worth every effort put forth.

Image Courtesy of Morguefile.com.

• Jennifer

Read More…
Part One: Why the Guidance of a Practitioner is Needed
Part Two: The Process of PK
Part Three: At-home Cleansing vs. Going to a Clinic