4-Day Ayurvedic Detox & Yoga Reset in California Hot Springs

The retreat runs for four days and three nights at Vedanta Spiritual and Holistic Retreat in California Hot Springs. Dr. Jagdish Bhutada leads all the teaching sessions. He's an Ayurvedic physician who founded the residential Ayurveda Panchakarma with Yoga programme at Kaivalyadhama in Lonavala, India, and has been teaching and practising for decades. The programme is a short, practical introduction to Ayurveda rather than a full panchakarma cleanse, so it's suitable if you're new to it.

Each day follows a similar rhythm. You start with yoga at 7am, usually gentle hatha or yin, followed by breakfast at 8:30. The main teaching block is from 10am to noon, when Dr. Bhutada covers topics like the three doshas, agni (digestive fire), daily routines (dinacharya), seasonal routines (ritucharya) and which foods suit which body types. After lunch at 1pm, the afternoon is free until 4pm. You can use the time to soak in the hot springs, walk the grounds or nap. The late afternoon session might be a cooking demonstration, a question-and-answer, or a guided detox practice like abhyanga (self-massage with warm oil). Dinner is at 6:30pm and is light: usually a soup, khichdi (rice and lentils) and cooked vegetables. Evening meditation or chanting is at 8pm, and lights are usually out by 10pm.

The detox is mild. You won't be fasting or doing anything extreme. The food is vegetarian, warm and easy to digest. You'll drink herbal teas and warm water through the day. If you want something more intensive, you can ask Dr. Bhutada for a personal plan.

California Hot Springs is about an hour and a half from Bakersfield, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The retreat centre is quiet and surrounded by oak trees. The mineral springs on site are the main draw of the location, and you can use them between sessions. The nearest town is a small village with a store and a restaurant, but most people stay on the property for the whole time.

What makes this different from other yoga retreats is the depth of the Ayurvedic teaching. Dr. Bhutada doesn't just give a talk; he works with each person to figure out their constitution and gives them specific advice. You'll leave with a written plan. The group is capped at about 12 people, so it stays personal.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation at Vedanta Spiritual and Holistic Retreat - All vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Daily yoga sessions - All teaching sessions with Dr. Jagdish Bhutada - Personal constitution assessment - Access to hot mineral springs - Written personal Ayurvedic plan - Use of yoga studio and meditation room - Wi-Fi in common areas

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Airport transfers - Personal expenses - Optional spa treatments (e.g., full-body massage) - Meals outside the retreat menu - Additional nights