A Real Reset for Body, Mind & Ego -@ Ayurvedagram Bali
Last week, I decided to finally surrender to the Ayurvedic lifestyle — something I had dreamed of doing for years. I knew what Ayurveda was in theory, but I never expected it to be this challenging in practice. From the very first day, my daily routines and habits were turned upside down:
No workouts. No coffee. No fast-paced yoga. Three meals a day at fixed times. A full stop.
I spent seven days at Ayurvedagram Bali, recently awarded Best global Ayurvedic Spa 2025. Nestled in the quiet greenery of Ubud, surrounded by rice fields and the sounds of life slowing down, it became the perfect space to reset and reconnect.
Here’s how my week unfolded:
The First Consultation — Facing Myself
The journey began with a detailed Ayurvedic consultation — a conversation unlike any I’d had before. We spoke about my body, mind, and long-held habits, past and present. It was eye-opening and confronting. Facing the truth of how I had been treating my body wasn’t easy to digest — but it was time.
I learned about my dosha, my unique Ayurvedic energy type, and how my fast-paced, always-on lifestyle had pushed me out of balance for years.
Hearing the do’s and don’ts for my dosha made so much sense. It wasn’t about restriction — it was about understanding what truly nourishes me, and what drains me.
The Treatments — 6 Days of Deep Rejuvenation
I didn’t follow the traditional Panchakarma program but was instead prescribed the Rejuvenation Program, customized by the doctor after my consultation. And that’s exactly what it did — it slowly peeled away layers of stress, tension, and speed.
Days 1–4: Abhyanga, Dhanyamla Dhara & Pinda Sweda
Abhyanga: a traditional full-body oil massage using warm herbal oils and long, rhythmic strokes. It brought deep calm and groundedness.
Dhanyamla Dhara: a detoxifying treatment where warm, fermented herbal decoction is gently poured over the body — cleansing and balancing.
Pinda Sweda: a sweating therapy where warm herbal bundles (pindas) are massaged over the body to relieve stiffness, nourish tissues, and promote circulation.
The combination of these therapies made my body feel like it was finally exhaling after months of holding on.
Days 4–6: Shirodhara & Chakra Vasti
Shirodhara: a continuous stream of warm oil poured over the forehead — quieting the mind in the most effortless way.
Chakra Vasti: focused on specific energy centers, this treatment used warm oil to balance both physical and emotional tension.
Each day also ended with a short Balinese massage, adding that local touch of nurturing and relaxation.
The Routine — Slowing Down Is Harder Than It Sounds
Each morning began with a gentle Ayurvedic routine: face massage, eye washing, herbal nasal drops, gargling, and oil pulling — followed by therapeutic yoga. It wasn’t the kind of yoga where you push or sweat; it was the kind where you breathe and reconnect.
Throughout the day, I received up to three treatments and participated in daily pranayama and meditation sessions. Everything was structured with purpose — all I had to do was surrender and stay present.
But I won’t lie — the days were tough, especially for my mind. It missed the rush: the morning coffee, the long workouts, the constant doing. There were mood swings and moments of frustration. My ego resisted “doing less.”
Yet that discomfort became my greatest teacher. I learned that stillness can be uncomfortable before it becomes peaceful.
The Food — Eating by the Clock
Meals were dosha-tailored, gluten-free, vegan, and served three times a day at fixed times. All the fruits and vegetables are from the own farms in Ubud and organic. No snacking. No caffeine. No milk. No sweet treats — my personal weakness.
For someone who was used to skipping breakfast, eating irregularly, and relying on caffeine for energy, this was a complete shift. At first, it felt unnatural. But by the third day, my body began to accept and even expect these meals.
I realized how incredibly intelligent our internal rhythm is — it just needs consistency to thrive.
What Changed — Inside & Out
By the end of the week, I felt a real transformation — not dramatic, but deep and steady:
I felt lighter, both physically and mentally.
I finally understood what “listening to your body” truly means — not as a quote, but as a lived experience.
I learned that rest is medicine, not laziness.
I accepted that my lifestyle had been far more challenging for my body than for my mind — and that it’s time to change that.
I reconnected with structure: fixed meals, mindful breathing, and doing one thing at a time.
I said goodbye to morning coffee and refined sugar — two things I never thought I’d let go of.
I made a promise to myself to return for a Panchakarma retreat once or twice a year to reset and rejuvenate deeply.
Final Thoughts
Most of all, I saw how deeply body, mind, and nature are connected. When one is out of tune, everything feels off — but when they align, life flows. I’m starting my new Routine after having seen how good my body responded to these changes which are quite simple in fact but never were as simple for me. I’m gonna stick to this structure for a more balanced body and mind to ensure the optimum function of my body systems and energies without manipulating it for more “perfomance”. I know this will be challenging once I go back to the hustle at home and start to work again but this is what it’s about. To find the peace and balance irrespective of the storm outside.
Ayurvedagram Bali reminded me that healing doesn’t always mean adding more — sometimes it’s about taking away what doesn’t serve you. I am deeply grateful and thankful for the Team of Ayurvedagram Bali for showing me the path of natural healing and reconnecting with breath and nature again.
If you’re looking for a place to pause, reflect, and reconnect, Aurvedagram Bali is a sanctuary. Not just for your body — but for the parts of you that forget to rest.
