My Journey Back to Self at a Panchakarma Retreat

Last year, I traveled to Kerala in South India on a solo adventure like no other.

This trip wasn't exactly a vacation, it was a 21-day immersion into Ayurveda, a transformative experience that would forever change the way I approach wellness and serve my clients at I Am Beauty.

Since my mid-twenties, I have engaged and been inspired by wellness practices, education, and retreats that balance the mind and body connection. However, it wasn't until some years later, when struggling with chronic stress, experiencing symptoms of PTSD, and dealing with severe body inflammation, that I changed careers and devoted my passion to intentional practices that nourish the body and energy, founding I Am Beauty.

Fast forward to late 2023, and I once again found myself facing a familiar pattern – burnout creeping back in. It was then that I decided to pursue my life-long dream of traveling to India, my late grandfather's birth country, and immerse myself in the world of Ayurveda and self-discovery.

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, teaches us that everything is energy. It is a tapestry woven from physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. True power comes from understanding your natural energy and acknowledging what keeps you in balance and what triggers and throws you off balance. Limitations within either of these energy fields lead to limitations in your overall wellbeing.

Panchakarma, which literally translates to "five actions," is a detoxifying and rejuvenating process designed to restore balance within your body.

When you are in balance, you step into your wellbeing.

A place of alignment, peace, and power.

A place of no limits.

It’s important to understand that Panchakarma retreats are medical retreats.

I met beautiful people diagnosed with life-altering and life-threatening diseases, but I also met so many people, who like me, were struggling with stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.

The days unfolded with a gentle but structured rhythm: morning yoga, check-ins with my dedicated doctor who was overseeing my Panchakarma, Ayurvedic massages, herbal therapies, and meditative walks through the retreat gardens and farm, reading and reflecting.

This little memory still makes me smile! I was told by my doctor during my very first consultation that there was no wifi in my room and she encouraged me to completely disconnect and be present. 5 days into my stay, I discovered that I did in fact have wifi in my room, but the instructions remained the same. Disconnect.

To create space for the new, we must release the old.

And so my treatments started. Through daily Abhyanga massages, full-body oil massages, I began to release the deep-seated tension I carried in my muscles and fascia. The Shirodhara, where a steady and rhythmic pouring of oil or warm milk was gently poured onto my forehead, allowed me to release all thoughts and enter a state of deep relaxation and melted away years of stress and anxiety.

But it was the daily sessions of Pranayama breathwork that truly transformed my experience. I learned to observe my breath, to become aware of its rhythm and flow.

As I deepened my breath, I began to notice the subtle shifts in my energy, the release of pent-up emotions, and a gradual return to a sense of calm.

This journey was a profound reminder of the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. I witnessed firsthand the power of Ayurveda to address the root causes of stress and imbalance.

Returning to Sydney, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.

I integrated the profound learnings from my retreat into my practice at I Am Beauty. Breath-work now plays a central role in my treatment, complementing the entire flow of my Lymphatic & Buccal Facial Massage to address the underlying stress and tension that contribute to many of my clients' concerns.

At I Am Beauty, I believe that true beauty radiates from within.

My Panchakarma retreat deepened this belief and inspired me to create a calming city-sanctuary where clients are encouraged to cultivate inner peace and a deeper sense of well-being whilst my hands untangle and release the the tension that is holding you back from feeling lighter and more connected.

If you ever have the opportunity to experience a Panchakarma retreat, I urge you to take it. It is truly something special.

However if you are looking for a softer introduction in a world of heart centered wellness, I invite you to explore how I Am Beauty can help you on your own journey of connecting your body, mind & breath.

Now, let's breathe together.

Kindest,

Chloé
Founder of I Am Beauty