Take Home Lessons from my Ayurvedic Retreat

Sometimes, life moves so fast you don’t even realize you’re running on empty—until your body and mind start sending little SOS signals. That’s where I was when I decided to step away for a week-long Ayurvedic Retreat and Panchakarma at SoHum Mountain Resort in Asheville, NC—the serene retreat space created by Dr. Vasant Lad, one of the world’s most respected Ayurvedic physicians (and founder of the institute where I've done much of my Ayurvedic training).

This wasn’t just a vacation. It was a “me-treat”—time carved out to recalibrate, reflect, and do the deeper, sometimes harder work of self-love.

Panchakarma in a Nutshell

Panchakarma means “five actions” in Sanskrit. It’s Ayurveda’s most complete cleansing and rejuvenation therapy—designed to release built-up toxins (ama), restore balance, and spark your natural healing processes.

A Panchakarma program is personalized, but it often includes:

• Abhyanga – warm herbal oil massage

• Shirodhara – a steady stream of warm oil poured on the forehead to deeply calm the mind

• Swedana – herbal steam therapy

• Basti – medicated enemas to cleanse and nourish

• A simple diet of kitchari to reset digestion

It’s not about deprivation. It’s about creating the right environment for your body to remember how to heal.

My Week Away: Slowing Down to Hear Myself Again

From the moment I walked in, I felt a shift—the scent of sandalwood in the air, the soft rhythm of chanting, the way time seemed to stretch.

Each day started with a fire ceremony and yoga class to ground us. I had daily in depth check-in so treatments could be adjusted to what I needed most. Those treatments included deeply grounding oil massages and herbal steam to soften stubborn tension, a diet that aligned with Ayurvedic principles, the drinking of lots of ghee--a form of clarified butter--to help oleate and flush the system (by my last ghee day, I was up to 11 TBSP,) and different cleansing practices (yes, including purgation and enemas).

By the end of the trip, the constant mental “noise” I didn’t even realize I’d been carrying began to fade. I was eating simply, sleeping deeply, and actually feeling my body’s cues again.

It wasn’t all blissed-out spa vibes—there were moments of fatigue, emotional release, and honest reflection about habits I needed to change. For me, it all hit hard three-days in when my body and mind said no mas. But I woke up that fourth day reborn, as though a fog had lifted, and ready to do the hard stuff.

That’s the truth about a real me-treat: sometimes the most loving thing you can do for yourself is to sit still long enough to see what needs shifting.

The Me-Treat Mindset: Lessons from My Ayurvedic Retreat

We’re conditioned to think self-care is quick and pretty—a bubble bath, a scented candle, a face mask. And sure, those things have their place. But a me-treat is different:

• It’s intentional.

• It gives you space to hear your own thoughts.

• It invites you to ask: What do I really need?

• It challenges you to make nourishing choices over easy ones.

And while a week tucked into an idyllic mountain setting fed, rubbed and generally cared for by an entire staff can be transformative, you can also create a smaller-scale version right at home.

How to Create a Home “Me-Treat”

Even a single day of dedicated me-time can work wonders. Here’s how to get started:

1. Clear Your Calendar

Block off the time and tell people you’re unavailable—this is non-negotiable.

2. Set the Space

Declutter, soften the lighting, and add grounding scents like sandalwood or lavender.

3. Nourish Simply

Stick to easy-to-digest meals like kitchari or vegetable soup. Let your digestion rest.

4. Move Gently

Yoga, stretching, or a slow walk—no pressure, just connection to your body.

5. Try Self-Abhyanga

Warm sesame or almond oil and give yourself a slow, intentional massage before a warm shower.

6. Reflect and Reset

Journal on what’s working, what isn’t, and what you’re ready to let go.

7. Rest Like It’s Your Job

Nap if you need to, go to bed early, and let your body reset its natural rhythm.

Final Thoughts

My Panchakarma reminded me: the most powerful reset isn’t about doing more—it’s about giving yourself permission to pause.

Whether you book a week with expert practitioners or create your own home retreat, a me-treat is never selfish. It’s the maintenance your body, mind, and spirit deserve. And the more you fill your own cup, the more you have to give.

Interested in creating a me-treat for yourself? Take the first step and sign up for my newsletter, filled with tips and practices to start your health journey! Sign up here