Ayurveda is ancient science and philosophy, originating in India, that focuses on the vital health of the whole individual, including our physical, energetic, psychological and spiritual components. Ayurveda’s teachings have roots in living in harmony with nature, as to our individual constitutions, the seasons of year and the seasons of our life. Much of Ayurveda deals with common sense approaches to lifestyle, nutrition, breathe (pranayama), meditation and medicines from plants, if needed. The Ayurvedic Morning Routine is as follows:
- Rise between 5:30am and 7:00am, before the heavier (kapha) time of the day begins (6am to 10am)
- Drink a glass of room temperature water, which keeps your digestive fire strong and will help stimulate you to pass your bowels in the morning.
- Say a prayer, expressing gratitude and calling love, light and peace into your day. Remember that you do become your thoughts, so send yourself “good thoughts”.
The following “sample” prayer is From Vasant Lad,
The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies
Dear God, You are inside of me
Within my very breath
Within each bird, each mighty mountain.
Your sweet touch reaches everything
And I am well protected.
Thank you God For this beautiful day before me.
May joy, love peace and compassion be part of my life
And all those around me on this day.
I am healing and I am healed.
- Wash face, mouth, and eyes – be sure to wake up your eyes with some simple eye exercises.
- Brush your teeth and use a tongue scraper. Your tongue can tell you a lot about your overall health and the health of your digestion system. Getting to know your tongue is an important part of preventative and vital health. In addition to removing bacteria, scraping your tongue stimulates your digestive fire and enzymes.
- Give yourself a massage with Organic Sesame Oil by Banyan Botanicals (in the summer months, Organic Coconut Oil by Banyan Botanicals can also be used by most); this moves lymph, calms the mind, and, when you wash it off in the shower, removes toxins. You can also put some sesame oil at the tips of your nostrils (and eye lobes) which helps to prevent over reactive mucus (from the drying winter).
- Bathe or shower
- Light exercise: a brief walk in nature, simple yoga postures (rounds of Sun salutations or Moon Salutations)
- Pranayama (Breathing exercises)/Meditation
- Breakfast (including another glass of warm or room temperature water with lemon)
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