PK Day 2 | Immersion and Connection: The Art of Receiving

If Sunday was about crossing the threshold into the sanctuary, Monday was about immersion and connection. In my everyday life, I tend to prioritize doing. My first full day at SoHum was designed to teach me a more subtle skill: the art of receiving.

Sunrise: The Homa and the Intention

The day began at 6:50 AM with the Sunrise Ritual Homa, a fire ceremony in the spirit of connected divine energy. Rachel invited us to set our intention for the week as we offered shatavari herbs to the fire. I immersed myself in my intention with clarity: release stress, welcome peace. We followed the fire with gentle breathwork and yoga.

Breakfast: The Final Ghee and a New Face

Breakfast was a milestone: it included our final dose of ghee. We supported each other as we plugged our noses, chugged our ghee, and gratefully bit into tart lime wedges to counter the oily mouthfeel.

We followed ghee with a communal breakfast – the standard ginger pickles and kitchari, followed by a nurturing bowl of golden oats with cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, and maple syrup. We were joined by Scott, who was in his third week of PK. He offered a comforting “veteran” perspective that settled our newcomer nerves.

Whole Body Serenity

After breakfast, I received my first Whole Body Serenity treatment with Melissa and Audrey. This luxurious experience was a daily part of our PK journey. I donned my SoHum white robe and slippers and met them in the living room.

They began with a lovely “Hari Om” chant while holding my hands. Hari Om is a sacred Hindu mantra chanted to invoke peace, alleviate suffering, and align with universal consciousness; I received this healing energy joyfully.

Whole Body Serenity includes three traditional Ayurvedic treatments:

• Abhyanga: A four-handed massage to move toxins (ama) toward the digestive tract. Mine included Vata-Pitta oil and herbs selected to help balance my elevated Vata and Pitta. This was a physical and mental immersion for me: I wasn’t just covered in herbal oil; I was immersed in the treatment’s soothing intention.
• Svedana: Steam therapy to support the detoxification process. I found it quite intense on that first day, so Melissa kept the heat at the lowest setting and propped the door slightly with a small towel. She helped ease my anxiety by sharing her own journey to Ayurveda.
• Shirodhara: A calming practice where oil is poured continuously onto the “third eye” area. My long hair was arranged in “channels” to help facilitate the flow of oil. It was very pleasant and relaxing.

Washing off the oil afterward was a meditative adventure. Following Nishita’s advice, I “pre-washed” my hair with shampoo before adding water – a pro-tip that worked perfectly. The showers in the rooms are well-designed, with plenty of space and ample shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in pump dispensers.

I appreciated the “white-robe and shower immediately after” system, which ensured my clothes remained oil-free, and the spa’s peace followed me back to my room.

PK Practitioner Check-in

I was excited to finally meet my PK practitioner, Suhanee, for my first in-person check-in. She greeted me with a warm hug and asked how I was feeling physically and emotionally.

I said I was feeling very tired and had a headache. She recommended aloe juice for my headache, which the kitchen provided after our session. I shared that I was burping ghee and that my Oura ring indicated an elevated resting heart rate and temperature, consistent with “major symptoms” straining my body. I said I also felt guilty for being away from my family, some sadness, and lots of anxiety. She listened with deep empathy.

Suhanee took my blood pressure and my Ayurvedic pulse, confirming that my Vata was very high, Pitta was also high, and Kapha was just slightly high (but not concerning). Later in the week, Dr. Lad said about my constitution, “Kapha will take care of herself”; we just needed to address the elevated Vata and Pitta.

She gave me the customized herbs selected for me by Dr. Lad, with instructions to take ½ teaspoon in warm water after each meal. She noted that my tongue showed signs of dehydration and recommended I drink the hydration water available from the kitchen (a mix of water, maple syrup, salt, and lime juice), which would also help my headache.

We also talked about my Kimpossibility LEGO gallery. I told her I almost brought her my Pink Zen Pool, but it felt wrong bringing plastic into a natural healing environment. Her delight in the idea changed my mind; I decided right then to send it to her, along with a Diamond in the Rose Mandala. I also started mentally designing a small LEGO heart for the rest of the staff at SoHum that I could include as a gift in that “thank you” package.

Lunch and Exploration

Lunch was spent with Shiva. We enjoyed hydration water, a rice porridge with sweet potato, collard greens, and squash sauces, and talked about yoga, family, and our life purpose.

Afterward, I ventured to the downstairs gift shop, which wasn’t accessible to Shiva, and made a video so she could browse the treasures digitally. I bought myself a few items that called to me: a “fancy jasper” necklace made by a mom named Kim and infused with the intention of peace (it was as if it were made for me with “my” name and “my” intention!), an “I am Limitless” mantra medallion, and bath salts for the large soaking tub in my bathroom.

The Heart Folds: Color and Origami

The afternoon brought Chakra Color Therapy with Crystal. Lying in savasana under specific lights designed to balance each of the body’s chakra energy centers, I felt a deep vibrational shift as Crystal used tuning forks to play the frequency of each chakra.

Following the session, we admired Dr. Lad’s chakra drawing over the fireplace, and I shared a photo of my LEGO chakra mandala. My Isis room was directly above the color therapy room, and I imagined the energy of the chakra practices flowing upward to support my space.

The Evening: Sacred Space

Inspired by the vibrational shift, I turned to the meditative practice of folding origami hearts. There is a profound peace in the process for me, turning a flat piece of paper into a three-dimensional creation. I offered my first gift of origami to Becca at the front desk, who received it with delight. I promised to teach her the folds on Tuesday.

Folding, sharing, and teaching origami would become a primary mode of connection for me throughout the week. At dinner time, I brought origami hearts to Sean, Rio, and Taylor in the kitchen, unaware that I was planting the seeds of an origami garden in the dining room.

The team served a delicious dinner that included a carrot sambar with poha dumplings. The nourishing and healing qualities of food made with so much care and intention were evident in every meal at SoHum. Despite the availability of private tables, our group consistently chose the communal table. Connecting was part of our healing.

This connection continued during our Emotional Healing session, a circle of immersion and support with Erika. This was where the physical loosening of the day’s treatments gave way to the emotional loosening.

We shared what brought us to SoHum and our intention for the week. Through laughter and tears, we spoke about personal struggles, our health, family dynamics, and our beloved pets who had crossed the rainbow bridge. We made origami hearts together before the closing ceremony. Our bonds had deepened.

Letting Go

I returned to my room and had what could have been a challenging call with my son. However, I listened instead of reacting and recognized what was beyond my control. Then, I took a nice, long bath in the soaking tub. My way of being was starting to shift.

I wrote in my journal that evening:

“It’s so delightful to be somewhere where everyone is focused on care and healing. The staff here is so generous. I’m so grateful to have so much care and love directed at me. I feel so peaceful. This is exactly what I hoped for.”

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In my next post: Tuesday brings even more connection as I share my origami hearts both physically and digitally, and our group creates a spontaneous afternoon fire circle.

Read part 6: PK Day 3 | Perfectly Imperfect: The Scales of Balance

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