Part 4: My Days and New Routines

This post is part of the Ayurvedic Journey series. Start from Part 1 if you’re new to this path.

Not having fixed expectations for those two weeks of retreat meant surrendering to my mind, body and soul. That was the key to truly listening and understanding my needs - working with, not against myself. That's what it meant for me to make the most of this retreat. Before I developed any specific routines, I went through some adjustment days. Having complete freedom, my body became very loud about what it needed: sleep. A lot of it.

After my doctor's consultation, I received a treatment plan for that day. Such a treatment session usually began with an oil massage for the head, neck and shoulder, done while seated on a prepared chair on the veranda of the treatment center, within the hotel grounds. Although the massage was quite strong and targeted some of my pain points, I fell asleep while seated. After around 30 min, I was guided to a massage room where I received a full body massage (back and front), including feet, hands and neck - and again, I fell asleep. The final step was a face massage and an eye mask. Then I was led to a reclining chair on another part of the veranda for acupuncture. And guess what—I fell asleep once more. After this basic treatment set, which became part of most days, I returned to my room to freshen up and enjoy lunch, served by the river.

After lunch, I returned to my room and fell asleep for a while. After a nap, I took my book and did some reading in the lobby. Being in a place like Sri Lanka most would expect beautiful sunny weather where rain wouldn't be welcomed. This afternoon and also few following ones it was raining, some evenings quite heavily, with thunderstorm. To me this weather was perfect for that time. It reflected my body's needs and what was happening. I needed a few days of constant sleep any moment I could get, including sleeping thru the night. It was like a storm arriving on a dried-out dead land where after few days of reset, life began to grow again. This is how it felt to me. After those few days, I started regaining my balance, myself. Building up new routines and rediscovering myself.

I don't know when it happened, but soon I was waking up around 5 am, well rested. I would start the day with a glass of warm water and an hour of journaling - writing down my dreams, thoughts and feelings I woke up with. Sometimes I would add a few pages of reading.

Next came yoga: at 6 am on the roof of the main building above my room, and another at 7 am in the lobby. Those were two perfect hours of practice where my body was waking up and getting ready for the day together with the nature surrounding me. After a quick shower, I’d join the other guests for breakfast—always in good company. Then, either straight after or with some time in between, my treatments would begin. I used the remaining time for reading or deeper journaling. After treatments, lunch would follow.

Most afternoons were free. I spent a few with one of the ladies from the retreat on the beach. We listened to the waves, took long walks on the sand, and explored the surroundings.

One day, we visited temples and stopped at an Ayurvedic pharmacy. Another afternoon, our doctor hosted a lecture about Ayurveda and the Panchakarma process. We even had a cooking demonstration where we saw how some of the meals we enjoyed were prepared. Equip with recipes, we left eager to try them at home.

One day, a monk visited and led us through a meditation session. Another morning, we went on an unforgettable 2.5-hour boat trip down the river, exploring the natural beauty of nearby islands. We learned about different plants and their uses, and observed wildlife in its natural habitat.

On two afternoons, I stayed at the hotel due to treatment requirements. Each evening, all guests met for dinner around 6:30 p.m., and by 8 p.m. I was usually in bed, reading and journaling until I fell asleep around 9. That became my new rhythm. I was surprised by how much I experienced beyond the planned program. I had expected to stay in the hotel for two weeks with little to no time beyond treatments, meals, yoga, and journaling. And yet—it was so much more. I’m already planning to return. I know it won’t be the same as the first time, but it will be just as valuable. Because it will be my time again - time for reflection, care, and deep nourishment - for body, mind, and soul. You might wonder: What did I take with me from that trip? Have I made any changes in my daily life? Did I keep any of the new routines? Did it truly make a difference?

I’ll answer all of that in the next part of this series. :) I’m grateful you took the time to read this piece of my story. If this touched something in you give in a heart and share your thoughts. Part 5 is already in making.