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*Ayurveda
in Daily Life*
To
keep the tridoshas in a state of healthy equilibrium,
digestion and metabolism in proper state, Ayurveda prescribes
for each individual a specific daily routine (dinacharya)
and seasonal routine (ritucharya) depending upon the
types of season.
-Dinacharya
In
Sanskrit the daily routine is called the Dinacharya.
Din means 'day' and acharya means 'to follow' or 'close
to'. To be 'close to the day' actually means to merge
your daily cycle with the natural cycle of the Sun,
Moon, Earth, and the other planets in our Solar system.
The reason for this is that our most healthy and happy
state is the most natural state, and vice versa.
Dinacharya
is one of the best things that can be done to stay in
balance, prevent disease and in the treatment of almost
all diseases.Researchers
have long discovered that our body has many inbuilt
rhythms or cycles. Most of our body functions follow
a daily cycle. Our weight fluctuates during the day
and is maximum in the evening, our body temperature
is highest in the evening, most of our hormones have
their well defined periods of high and low secretions
during the day and the most obvious of all the sleep
– wake cycle. Therefore intrinsically the emphasis in
our body is on natural cycles.
Everyday
two waves of change pass through us, each bringing a
Vata, Pitta, and a Kapha cycle. The approximate times
of these cycles are as follows:
First
cycle:
6
A.M. to 10 A.M. - Kapha
10
A.M. to 2 P.M. - Pitta
2
P.M. to 6 P.M. - Vata
Second
cycle:
6
P.M. to 10 P.M. - Kapha
10
P.M. to 2 P.M. - Pitta
2
A.M to 6 P.M. – Vata
Based
on these two cycles, Ayurveda prescribes following daily
regimes for each and every individual.
-Morning
Our
biological clocks are attuned to the rising and setting
of the sun so it is better to get up at sunrise in perfect
organization to the natural clock. From 2 until 6, or
until dawn, the Vata element is dominant. In Ayurveda
the night is divided into 16 periods from sunset to
sunrise. The ideal time to arise is during the 14th
period that is about 2 hours before dawn, around 4:30
to 5. This is the time when there is the most sattva
in the air. It is the most fresh and pure time of the
day. Very young children, the old people, parents of
small children and people suffering from fevers are
the exceptions of this daily regime.
-Natural
urges
The
last portion of the night being ruled by vata is involved
in the process of elimination. Dawn is the best time
to eliminate the body's physical waste. Proper elimination
also helps in removing the kapha that naturally gets
accumulated overnight. Drinking a glass of warm water
helps in easy elimination of the accumulated wastes.
Never suppress the natural physical urges as elimination,
hunger, thirst, sleep, sneezing, yawning, vomiting,
flatus and ejaculation as it leads to discomfort and
even various diseases.
-Cleanliness
To
purify the bodies sense organs the limbs, face, mouth,
eyes and nose needs a thorough washing. Brush the teeth
and scrap the tongue. Ayurveda considers the coating
of the tongue as an indicator of toxins in the colon.
Gargle with warm salty water with little turmeric to
purify voice and strengthen the teeth and gums.
Wash
the eyes with rose water and triphala to purify the
sight. Wash the ears and apply a tiny amount of sesame
or almond oil in them to purify your hearing. Finally
do Jal neti and put a little oil in the nose to purify
the sinuses and sense of smell. Always keep the hair
and nails clean and trimmed. Always wear clean clothes.
The traditional Dinacharya also recommends that one
should inhale the smoke of medicinal herbs every morning
to purify the mind, head, face, neck and lungs.
-Exercise
In
Ayurveda, physical exercise is known as vyayama.
The
yoga asanas, aerobics, walking, swimming are regular
exercises that increases the body's stamina and resistance
to diseases by facilitating the immune system, clearing
all channels, promoting circulation, elimination process
and destroying fat. The early morning exercise removes
stagnation in the body, mind, strengthens the digestive
fire and gives an overall feeling of lightness and joy
as it fills the body with good prana.
Exercise
should be done moderately as too much exercise aggravates
vata resulting in imbalance.
-Massage
Body
massage is necessary for each and every individual.
It
is known as abhyanga in terms of Ayurveda. The oil massage
makes the skin supple, controls vata by reducing its
cold, dry, light, rough & erratic qualities, enhances
blood circulation, encourages quicker removal of metabolic
wastes and relaxes the body.
Body
massage is one of the best ways to prevent aging.
-Bathing
Bathing
is necessary after exercise and massage in order to
remove the oil and dirt from the body.
Warm
water baths are recommended but too hot water should
not be poured on the neck and head as this results in
imbalance.
Wear
clean clothes after the bath and apply essential oils.
-Meditation
Meditating
for a while is ideal for disciplining the mind and removing
stress and strain.
Meditation
helps in satisfying the mind's hunger, controls desire
and is the key to longevity and immortality.
Daily
meditation helps in maintaining health of both mind
and body. It increases the general awareness, provides
clarity to the thoughts.
-Breakfast
One
should take a light breakfast with lots of fresh fruits.
Many
research studies have revealed that the only method
to revert the anti-aging process is to minimize the
intake of calories and maximize the intake of nutrients.
-Employment
Our
work consumes at least one-third part of our lives and
success or failure in the profession affects self-confidence.
Therefore,
it is important that the nature of our work should match
our body type.
The
people with vata as dominant usually love work that
requires sudden bursts of intense energy. At the same
time it makes the people exhausted also. They need adequate
rest, especially in the afternoons. They should avoid
places where the air is exceptionally cool and dry.
Pitta people are very practical are good administrators
but not original thinkers. They are aggressive by nature
and self-promoting. They do not take delays and obstacles
to their plans and try to be seriously fair and keep
their professional and private lives separate. They
should avoid work that is physically irritating or involves
heat (as welding or metal casting) and listen more to
others. The people with Kapha as dominant are stable
and are great administrators. They must make a conscious
effort to bring change and variety to their daily routine.
-Dinner
One
should eat around 6-7 pm and it should be light.
Its
better to have a light walk with family or friends after
dinner.
Many
are in the habit of skipping dinner especially the spiritual
practitioner’s as the dinner sometimes is interfering
with their meditation.
-Sleep
One
should sleep around 10 pm to have a sound sleep for
at least seven hours.
The
person’s with disturbed sleep should massage the soles
of the feet with oil before going to bed.
This
will calm the system and promote well-being. A state
of physical inertia with mental relaxation, sleep promotes
proper growth of the self.
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