September 14–16 | Days 1–3

We begin by making space.

The first stage of the cleanse is dipana–pacana: supporting digestion and helping the body prepare for the deeper practices to come. Before cleansing, we simplify.

Through warm, freshly prepared food, digestive support, daily-routine guidance, and a reduction in common stressors, you begin creating the conditions for rest, release, and restoration.

You will receive guidance around:

• A simple seasonal food plan

• Personalized digestive herbs, spices, or teas, when appropriate

• Hydration and warm herbal-tea routines

• Tongue scraping and a simple morning self-care practice

• Reducing stimulants, alcohol, highly processed foods, and sensory overload

• Sleep, mealtime rhythm, and gentle movement

• Preparing your home, schedule, and support system for the days ahead

This phase is not only about food. It is about making room.

September 17–19 | Days 4–6

After digestive preparation, we move into internal oleation, or ābhyantara snehapāna.

This is a traditional preparatory practice in which the body receives individualized oleation support before the main cleansing procedure.

Depending on your intake, constitution, digestive capacity, and clinical appropriateness, this may include ghee or medicated ghee in a carefully guided protocol.

Alongside internal oleation, you will continue with warm, grounding food, rest, hydration, and a simplified daily rhythm.

During this phase, participants may receive:

• An individualized ghee or medicated-ghee protocol, when appropriate

• Daily guidance and check-ins around appetite, digestion, sleep, energy, and signs of proper oleation

• Warm, simple meals to support the process

• Gentle movement and reduced activity

• Personalized herbs or teas as indicated

• Guidance around when to rest, when to reduce commitments, and how to listen to your body

This is not a one-size-fits-all protocol. The amount, duration, and type of oleation support are individualized.

September 20 | Days 7

As internal preparation completes, we add external oleation and sudation.

Bāhya snehana means nourishing the body externally through warm oil, while svedana refers to gentle sweating or heat therapy. Together, these practices help soften the body, support circulation, and prepare the system for release.

During this phase, you will be guided in:

• Daily self-abhyanga with an oil selected for the season and your constitution

• Warm bath, steam, sauna, or other gentle heat support as appropriate

• Light, warm, easy-to-digest meals

• Continued rest, hydration, and reduced stimulation

• Gentle movement, breathwork, or quiet walks

• Final preparation and instructions for your individual virechana day

September 21 | Day 8

Virechana is the central cleansing procedure of this program.

For participants who have completed screening and are determined to be appropriate candidates, virechana is a practitioner-guided purgation therapy designed to support the release of accumulated Pitta and other imbalances through the gastrointestinal tract.

Your virechana day is intentionally protected. You will receive individualized instructions, your prescribed cleansing support, guidance for warm fluids and rest, and direct support throughout the day.

This is a day to remain at home, clear your calendar, and allow the body to do its work.

Not every participant will receive the same protocol, and virechana is not appropriate for every person. Your eligibility and plan will be determined through the intake and consultation process.

September 22–23 | Days 9–10

Following virechana, the body needs time to rebuild digestive strength gently.

This recovery period is called saṃsarjana krama—a gradual, intentional progression back toward nourishment. These days are not an afterthought. They are an essential part of the cleanse.

You will receive a step-by-step food-reintroduction plan that may include thin soups or rice gruels, thicker soups, kitchari, cooked vegetables, and other simple warm meals as your appetite returns.

During recovery, you will be guided in:

• A gradual post-virechana food progression

• Hydration and herbal-tea support

• Rest and reduced obligations

• Gentle movement only as energy returns

• Daily check-ins and guidance around appetite, elimination, energy, and sleep

• Preparing for travel and arrival at Sētu Vermont

September 24–27, 2026 | Day 11-14

Post-Cleanse Restoration & Rasāyana Preparation

After the active cleanse and initial home recovery, you will gather at Sētu Vermont for four days of post-virechana nourishment, Ayurvedic therapies, rest, and integration.

This portion of the journey is not about doing more cleansing. It is about receiving, rebuilding, and learning how to carry the rhythm of the experience into fall.

Spend four early-fall days held by the land, nourishing food, therapeutic care, and the rhythm of a small group moving through this experience together.

Each day at Sētu balances guidance with spaciousness. You will have support—but also permission to rest, walk, journal, nap, be quiet, and let your system settle.

Your retreat experience includes

• Four days and three nights at Sētu Vermont

• Seasonal Ayurvedic meals and herbal teas appropriate for post-cleanse rebuilding

• One individualized Ayurvedic body treatment daily on three retreat days

• Treatments selected according to your needs, which may include gentle abhyanga, shirodhara, svedana, or other appropriate restorative care

• Daily gentle yoga, meditation, pranayama, or embodied practice

• Ayurvedic education for fall digestion, routine, self-abhyanga, and home care

• Guidance for rebuilding agni and recognizing the needs of the body after cleansing

• Nature time, rest, and unstructured integration space

• Small-group connection and a closing-circle ritual

• A personalized post-retreat rasāyana and integration guide

• One group follow-up call after the retreat