The Art of Living

Signature Panchakarma

Experience Deep Healing and Profound Stillness Within

Start your sacred journey back to wellness and the Self in our Signature Panchakarma Retreat. Our 8-day Ayurvedic Cleanse includes expert consultations, daily therapies, and all meals, fully tailored to you. Book a complimentary Ayurvedic consultation to discover whether Panchakarma is the right next step.

 

Upcoming Dates

Schedule a Free Discovery Call   

Sacred detox. Timeless wisdom. Lasting transformation.

You are held in a space of profound restoration through a sacred rhythm of herbal therapies, personalized treatments, nourishing food, and guided practices. But beneath the surface cleansing, something more begins to unfold: Stillness. Awareness. A rekindling of inner truth.

Let the wisdom of nature and time-tested ritual help you realign with your highest self. Whether you come seeking physical healing, emotional renewal, or spiritual connection, panchakarma invites you to surrender, reset, and rise anew.

 

 

 

Schedule a Free Discovery Call   

Purify the Body. Illuminate the Spirit.

A structured 7-day/8-night retreat.

 

 

 

Comprehensive, traditional Ayurvedic cleanse.

 

 

 

Detoxification, disease prevention, stress reduction.

 

 

 

The Benefits of Panchakarma

Experience bliss with Panchakarma, an Ayurvedic cleansing process that removes toxins, boosts metabolism, strengthens digestion, and rejuvenates body and spirit. Relieve stress, restore balance, and nourish your mind, heart, and soul through this ancient, transformative practice.

 

 

 

  • Deep Detoxification 
  • Enhanced Digestion & Metabolism 
  • Stronger Immunity 
  • Radiant Rejuvenation

 

 

 

  • Mental Clarity & Focus 
  • Emotional Balance & Calm 
  • Deeper Sleep & Restfulness 
  • Heightened Self-Awareness

 

 

 

  • Energetic Reset 
  • Inner Peace & Stillness 
  • Awakened Intuition 
  • Alignment with Nature & Purpose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Vaidya Medha Garud, BAMS, PT, CLT, LMT—A Leader in Ayurvedic Wellness

Vaidya Medha Garud, Director of Ayurveda Programs at Shankara Ayurveda Wellness Spa, leads renowned Ayurveda and Panchakarma retreats. Trained at Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science and Research Hospital, she brings 20+ years of healing expertise. With 5,000+ clinical hours, she excels in Panchakarma therapies and Nadi Pariksha, inspiring balance and renewal through compassionate leadership.

 

 

 

Learn More

Upcoming Retreat Dates

March 15–22
April 5–12
April 19–26
May 3–10
May 24–31
June 7–14
June 21–28

 

Schedule a Free Discovery Call   

Key Highlights of Your Path to Wellness

Signature Treatments

8 customized treatments and therapies

Pre-Cleanse

Receive diet instructions and herbal recommendations to prepare for the retreat.

Accommodations & Meals

8 days/7 nights in private accommodations and delicious vegetarian meals.

Pulse Assessment

Meet with our Ayurvedic doctor to determine imbalances and craft your treatment plan.

Meditation & Yoga

Daily meditation sessions, restorative yoga, and time to unwind, relax, and recharge

Classes & Demos

Educational sessions with Ayurvedic experts, Q&As, cooking demos, and daily check-ins

Tranquility

An ideal tranquil setting for deep cleansing and rest—perfect for reconnecting with your body, mind, and surrounding nature.

Dedicated Team

Be guided every step of the way by our compassionate, knowledgeable, and supportive staff.

Post-Program

Go home with a personalized diet and lifestyle wellness plan, recipes, and the tools to help you stay healthy year-round.

What to Expect: The Cleanse 3-Step Process

Panchakarma cleansing includes pre-cleanse, main cleanse, and post-cleanse phases. Your Ayurvedic practitioner identifies your needs, guiding personalized therapies, and remedies. Expert Ayurveda specialists supervise and support you throughout this transformative, holistic program.

 

 

 

Panchakarma starts with a pre-cleanse to prep your body for the invigorating changes to come. This may involve changes to your diet to clear the body of unwanted toxins in the digestive system and lifestyle recommendations.

 

 

 

The main cleanse employs the elimination processes of Panchakarma, which may change depending on your constitution and imbalances.

 

Experience

  • 3 Abhyanga: Detoxifying Warm-Oil Massages
  • 3 Bashpa Sweda Steam Therapy Sessions
  • 1 Marma Replenishing Energy Treatment
  • 1 CranioSacral Therapy or Color Therapy

 

Part of the power of Ayurveda is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it is customized to the needs of each individual—their unique body type and health imbalances.

 

 

 

The most supportive next step is a commitment to habit and lifestyle change to prevent future build-up of toxicity in the mind and body. Reverting to past habits and lifestyles that hinder health is detrimental in the short and long term. This final step in the Panchakarma process involves:

 

  • Learning how to maintain healthy eating habits for your constitution.
  • Challenging yourself to make smarter and better lifestyle choices.
  • Utilizing Ayurvedic herbs and natural medicines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8-Day Program

Our Ayurvedic Cleanse includes expert consultations, daily therapies, and all meals, fully tailored to you. Book a complimentary Ayurvedic consultation to discover whether Panchakarma is the right next step.

 

 

 

 

Schedule a Free Discovery Call   

 

 

 

 

Enhance Your Experience

Enrich your time with us with complimentary offerings, including interactive nature hikes, calming meditation and movement classes, and insightful wellness workshops. Consider, too, our fee-based enhancements, from cooking and pottery classes to Ayurvedic wellness treatments (call 828.264.8382 9:00 am–6:00 pm, 7 days a week, to check on availability.)

 

 

 

Begin Your Retreat Early and Save

Arrive early to ease into tranquility before your retreat. Enjoy quiet reflection, R&R workshops, or Ayurvedic treatments while extending your stay’s benefits. Save 20% on R&R rates by adding extra days during registration.

 

 

 

Nourish Your Body

Take your rejuvenation to another level by adding additional spa treatments at a 10% discount. Call to check availability during Shankara business hours (9:00 am–6:00 pm, 7 days a week; 828.264.8382).

 

 

 

Shirodhara

Our Accommodations

 

 

 

 

Private Retreat Room

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking simple surroundings for peace and clarity.

  • Twin beds
  • Private bath
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Note: Room may contain extra single beds.

 

 

 

Private Hotel Room

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

 

  • King bed or two full beds
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

 

 

 

Have questions?

We’re here to help.

We are committed to ensuring that you experience the right care. Panchakarma is the right fit for you if

 

  • You’re not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
  • You haven’t had Panchakarma in the past three months and don’t plan to have it within three months after your stay
  • You haven’t had recent surgery (within the past three months) or have no plans for surgery soon
  • You don’t have mobility restrictions that hinder walking, using stairs, and/or getting on and off massage tables
  • You do not have unmanaged or unstable mental health conditions, and any mental health concerns are well-managed under the guidance of a qualified professional.

Panchakarma is most beneficial when approached with a calm, reflective mindset. We invite you to bring a journal or uplifting books that support your healing journey, along with comfortable clothing, a water bottle, and anything else that helps you feel relaxed and at ease during this restorative time.

Rescheduling
You’re welcome to shift your dates at any time. A $100 processing fee applies.

Cancellation before your Personal Ayurvedic Intake Session
If you need to cancel before your intake session with our Ayurvedic expert, there is a $100 fee.

Cancellation after your Personal Ayurvedic Intake Session
If you cancel after the intake session, you’ll receive a 50% refund.

AOLRC reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. If AOLRC cancels a program, you will receive a full refund. Some programs may have special cancellation policies; see individual workshop descriptions. For all other retreats, please be sure to check the registration page specific to that retreat.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case of unexpected changes or emergencies. You can explore coverage options at Travel Insurance.

Unless otherwise indicated, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.

Thanks to the cool climate of the Blue Ridge Mountains, air conditioning is rarely needed. For the occasional warm day, there is a fan in each room to help keep you comfortable.

We do have lodging and event venues that are ADA-compliant. Due to the topography of our mountain campus, some are easier to access than others, so please speak to Guest Services (800.392.6870) prior to registering to ensure we can best accommodate your needs. We also have shuttles that run frequently throughout the campus.

We are committed to the safety of our guests and staff. Our mountaintop location and the surrounding areas are spacious, remote, safe, and secure.

  • It is safe to leave your windows open—and necessary for proper airflow!
  • Nature surrounds our campus, and it’s common to see rabbits, deer, gophers, wild turkeys, and other small animals. Please give them space, and they’ll do the same for you. We’ve never had a safety incident with animals on campus.

You can help!

  • If you come across an animal on campus or a trail, give it space, and please do not attempt to pet or feed it.
  • There’s no need to bring valuables to the retreat center; leaving them at home is best.

We are remote—yet easy to get to.

The Art of Living Retreat Center offers the right balance between serenity and easy access.
  • Fly into Charlotte, NC—Two hours away by drive.
  • Check-in at 4:00 pm first day—eat dinner shortly after that.
  • Leave after lunch the last day—schedule your flight anytime
    after 5:00 pm.

Transportation Options Between Charlotte and the Center

Hickory Hop Shuttle Service  Book online  hickoryhop.com  The Hickory Hop shuttle goes from Charlotte airport to Boone five times daily. Reservations are required, so book ahead online and be sure to confirm shuttle times coordinate with your travel plans.

High Country Limo  828.898.9595   highcountrylimo.com

Oscar’s Car Service  704.965.5800

Edwardo’s Car Service  704.949.6775

Blue Bird Transportation  828.989.7286   Blue Bird of Boone

Abby Cab 828.475.2988  abbycab.com

Uber or Lyft  Book in app on arrival.

Other airports within driving distance from the Art of Living Retreat Center include

Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) in Johnson City, TN (80 miles)
Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, NC (110 miles)

Visit our directions page for more information.

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