Before visiting SGT Ayurveda Hospital, the word “Panchakarma” meant one thing to me: massage. I now know that I was very wrong. I had been feeling tired, physically heavy and generally not at my best for several months. My sleep wasn’t particularly refreshing and my lifestyle had become quite irregular. A friend suggested that instead of randomly booking a spa massage, I should actually consult an Ayurvedic doctor and understand whether any therapy was appropriate for me.

That is how I reached SGT Ayurveda Hospital. The first thing that surprised me was that Panchakarma was not offered like a fixed package. The doctor first took my history and asked about my appetite, digestion, sleep, routine and existing complaints. Only after assessment was a treatment plan discussed. This immediately made the experience feel more medical and individualised than the “Ayurvedic detox packages” I had seen advertised elsewhere.

I underwent the therapies that were advised for me under supervision. Some involved oil application and fomentation, and the staff explained what was being done at each stage. There was something deeply calming about the whole process, especially because my normal day is usually spent rushing from one responsibility to another.

But I think the more interesting part happened outside the therapy room. I started becoming conscious of my meals and sleep. The doctor had given me dietary and lifestyle instructions, and initially I thought I would follow them for three days and then forget about them. Surprisingly, I continued. Within some time, I began feeling less sluggish. I also felt that my sleep routine improved once I stopped eating very late and scrolling on my phone until I practically fell asleep with it in my hand.

Did Panchakarma transform my entire life in one week? No. And I actually think that is important to say. My experience was positive because it encouraged me to become more disciplined about my health while receiving treatment appropriate to my condition. I never felt that I was being promised a miracle. I also enjoyed the environment of the SGT campus. Compared with the noise and traffic we are surrounded by in Gurugram, spending some time in a quieter setting itself felt refreshing.

The staff members I interacted with were polite, and whenever I was unsure about a procedure, I could ask before it was performed. I went to SGT expecting something similar to an Ayurvedic massage centre. Instead, I came away understanding that Panchakarma is a structured branch of Ayurvedic treatment and that therapies should be selected after consultation rather than simply chosen from a menu. More importantly, the experience reminded me that wellness isn’t something I can outsource completely to a doctor or therapist. I still have to sleep on time, eat sensibly, move my body and look after myself.

For me, that was probably the most valuable lesson from the entire experience.