Before I arrived, I had big goals and big aspirations for my time here at the Raj. You know, the multi tasking time line goals. I could easily fit it all in between my rejuvenation process.
I brought all of my study material for my next certification, I brought all of my work and files. I was even proud of myself for being able to organize all of these files and little folders.
Then I arrived...and my individual physiology required something very different.
What the Raj offers other than a location designed specifically for rejuvenation and relaxation and the luxurious and phenomenal treatments, is an absolute thorough education in the Ayurveda way of life.
You are instantly brought into the vortex of an ancient, scientific and naturally intelligent System of living.
For my stay here, I've chosen what's called "The In-House Panchakarma Program."
Panchakarma -a series of rejuvenating and cleansing therapies.
And this program begins a week before you arrive. (See previous blog posts)
My daily routine here has been the following:
Mornings:
-wake before 6 am.
-a glass of warm water
-trip to the ladies room
-clean teeth and scrap tongue
-Abhyanga -self oil massage.
-bath or shower
-sun salutations and asanas (yoga)
-Transcendental Meditation technique
-Exercise (usually a long walk)
-read or watch the educational videos
Breakfast is at 8 am.
Breakfast is a time where you can be social or not. It's always up to you.
Afternoons:
Lunch with 6 tastes
Rest for 10 minutes after lunch followed by a brisk walk.
Afternoon work or study
Sun salutations
Meditation
** lunch being the biggest meal since our digestive fires are burning the best at lunch time.
Evenings:
Early, light evening meal
Rest and brief walk.
Lectures
To bed before 10 pm.
Somewhere in between all of this, there are 3 hours of treatments every day, cooking classes, a library full of books and scheduled time slots with the Ayurveda doctor and time slots for the transcendental Meditation training.
For me, a few hours of free time has been where my physiology decides to sleep.
It has been in my best interest to put a hold on all of my lofty goals and make what is in front of me my only goal. Fortunately, everyone here has been very accommodating of my daily 5 thousand questions. I am the queen of how, what and why.
"How do you cook this?"
"Why is this important?"
"What does this word mean?"
After one day of treatment I felt pretty blissful.
Day 3-4 were a bit tricky because this is a process of un-lodging more inner yuck. I slept a little more and addressed a few things which was simply a part of the process.
After 4 mornings of doing the morning routine, I was able to do the gentle yoga with an ease and lightness (instead of my cracking bones and grunts.)
Now, I've been here 8 days and have been in treatment 7 days. I can share while I don't personally see any visible signs or changes, I absolutely "feel" healthier, more intelligent and younger.
Tomorrow I get my final assessment and we will discuss my goals and I will be given all of my recommendations for the next several weeks.
I still have 4 more days here but once I return to my reality-I will have access to everything I can do to keep my physiology on track!
Stay tuned.