Panchakarma cleanse
Virginia offers Panchakarma cleansing at the Hands on Retreat, in Devon UK
Panchakarma means ‘5 actions’ and is a fully residential, longer deeper cleanse process.
This minimum ten day authentic Ayurveda Pancha Karma process is a complete reset for the body and mind which includes complete one-to-one individualised personal care and attention. Address physical and emotional health issues, exhaustion, and stress.
Give yourself time out to recover and recharge whilst completely retreating from the pressures of everyday life.
Preparation
Prior to the panchakarma residential you will need to prepare by changing your diet and routine for a minimum of 10 days. More details on what to do will be sent to you after a consultation and upon confirmation of booking.
After panchakarma you are strongly advised to maintain lifestyle changes and to undergo the recommended rejuvenative stage of the process.
For the whole process you should allow 3 months in total, of which 10 -14 days will be residential and the rest will be completed at home.
“As a full time mum of three, panchakarma in India was not an option for me. I’m so grateful to Virginia for making it possible to have an authentic and effective panchakarma here in the UK. She made me feel completely safe, held and at ease, which is so important when doing something hard like this. I was able to relax, go inwards and let go of my cares knowing that Virginia was there to support me and take care of everything.” (Fran 2025)
Daily Schedule
Below is a typical schedule for this retreat. This may be adapted according to your individual requirements.
Virginia will be available for you every day until supper time.
- 7am – Wake up, practise morning routine and hot drink.
- 8am First 4 days you will be fasting and then have some ghee. Thereafter, breakfast of cooked fruit or mixed grains porridge with nuts, seeds and Dartmoor honey.
- 10am Daily Ayurvedic oil massage (Abyangha) and steam. More details on treatments are HERE.
- 1200 From day 6, vasti enema treatment.
- 1pm Lunch, varies depending on the day and your individual requirements, lovingly prepared with local organic ingredients.
- 2 – 3pm Free time to rest, read, relax.
- 3 – 4pm Bodywork or other treatment depending on your needs.
- 4 – 5pm Pranayama (breathwork) and meditation or Yoga Nidra.
- 6pm Light supper of soup.
- 8pm Night time drink of golden (turmeric and spices) milk or herbal tea.
- 930pm (latest) – Bed time.
Note – herbal teas are provided in the cabin kitchen for you to enjoy throughout.
To arrange a FREE 15 minute online chat or to book please click below and message Virginia
Pancha Karma Therapies
Panchakarma involves a specific diet, herbs and body therapies adapted according to your individual requirements.
Therapies may include but are not limited to:
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Abyangha or Snehan (daily full body oil massage)
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Svedhana (daily steam / heat therapy)
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Nasaya (oil therapy for the nose and sinuses)
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Virechana (purgation)
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Basti (herbal enema therapy)
N.B. Traditionally the Panchakarma process also includes Vamana (therapeutic vomiting) and Rakta Moksha (blood letting).
These 2 therapies are not permitted in the UK.
“The oil massage treatments were blissful and the detox therapies were conducted with such care and meticulousness. I highly recommend this amazing and essential process for true healing. More so, I recommend doing it with Virginia for a warm, connected and easeful experience.” (Fran 2025)
Location and Accommodation
This individual retreat is located at The Hands on Retreat in South Devon, UK.
This area is peaceful and secluded, with Dartmoor National Park on the doorstep there is ample space to gently explore and to rest undisturbed.
The nearby towns of Totnes, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh are known for having holistic approaches to health as well as bespoke shops and a focus on the local economy. This area has an abundance of organic and natural food production, which you will enjoy in your meals.
Guest accommodation is in a beautiful secluded wood cabin which has its own bathroom, wood burner and kitchen area. Treatments take place in the main retreat building.
The retreat is easy to reach by car and onsite free parking is available.
Directions for arrival by car are HERE
Totnes and Newton Abbot train stations are well connected and are a 20 minute drive away.
Exeter airport is just over 20 miles away. Collection is possible by prior arrangement.
Benefits of a Pancha Karma cleanse include –
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Remove triggers for disease.
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Eliminate toxins and toxic conditions from your body and mind.
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Restore your constitutional balance improving health and wellness.
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Strengthen your immune system and become more resistant to illness.
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Reverse the negative effects of stress on your body and mind.
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Enhance your self-reliance, strength, energy, vitality and mental clarity.
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Bring about deep relaxation and sense of well-being.
Cost and Booking
The cost of this panchakarma retreat is £320 per day.
This cost includes –
- Completely individualised one to one care throughout your entire stay
- Private accommodation with a bed space, kitchen, shower room, outside space, wood burner
- Full Ayurvedic wellness assessment and plan
- All meals, freshly prepared with organic local produce and adhering to Ayurvedic principles for your individual needs
- Twice daily Ayurvedic bodywork treatment plus extra treatments if indicated
- Ayurvedic herbs
Dates will be subject to availability of the retreat venue and Virginia. Booking as far in advance as possible is advisable.
To arrange a FREE 15 minute online chat or to book please click below and message Virginia
Recommendations
I am deeply grateful for the words below, one account from a client and the other from a renowned and experienced practitioner.
From Fran, Pachakarma client 2025
As full time mum of three, panchakarma in India was not an option for me. I’m so grateful to Virginia for making it possible to have an authentic and effective panchakarma here in the UK. She made me feel completely safe, held and at ease, which is so important when doing something hard like this. I was able to relax, go inwards and let go of my cares knowing that Virginia was there to support me and take care of everything.
The oil massage treatments were blissful and the detox therapies were conducted with such care and meticulousness. I highly recommend this amazing and essential process for true healing. More so, I recommend doing it with Virginia for a warm, connected and easeful experience.
From Chinnamasta, experienced practitioner
I highly recommend Virginia to the community, she is a gem and knows what she is doing. PK is not holiday, yet it is a profound reset. It penetrates all layers of you, physical, emotional , mental, spiritual. I have been around the block for 35 years and have found no other medicinal system that is able to remove deep seated āma as effective and safe, as a pañcha karma can do. Whether the pk you receive is having that effect on you, all depends on the proper preparation and 1:1 multi dimensional individually adapted guidance. Virginia having been a nurse knows the skill of observing like no one else. Observing and adapting, holding and touching with reverence. Virginia has created a Sukha Bhumi – a good space – where you abide in nature surrounded by all elements, which is paramount to the success of a pk. And finally it’s all about the proper nutrition, it’s all ritual, it’s all medicine. She knows this and embodies it. So when you receive a minimum of 10 days pk, you feel how daily rituals, routines & regularity actually effect your body mind heart complex. And you take that with you, moving forward, implementing it at your own home. Short: book with her! (Chinnamasta Stiles 2025)
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