Nearly everywhere we look in nature, creatures are engaging in some sort of consistent daily routine. The world at large is deeply influenced by the rhythms of nature, the rising and setting of the sun, the cycles of the seasons, and the natural energies directing the broader community of life.
While there are some seasonal variations, most plants and animals have embraced a predictable daily rhythm and live by it, but as humans, we have gotten away from this are used to a modern life where energy and connectedness are available 24 hours a day.
The increasingly erratic nature of modern life is taxing, layered with business, and stresses that bring a chronic state of high alert, and it is no wonder that so many are hyper-vigilant and unable to relax.
In Ayurveda, the importance of a consistent daily routine can’t be underestimated. It helps to establish balance, regulates the biological clock, aids digestion, absorption, and assimilation, and brings a sense of calm, and well-being giving the body, mind, and spirit the chance to ground and cleanse, to start anew.
The following are just a couple of morning practices that can easily be incorporated into your daily life, bringing balance, and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit.
In Ayurveda, proper digestion is the cornerstone of health and is literally the process by which our daily food intake nourishes the body, mind, and spirit connection. Healthy digestion protects the body against the accumulation of toxins and ensures the proper elimination of wastes.
Tongue Scraping is a practice that dates back to ancient India and its benefits include clearing toxins and bacteria, removing the coating on the tongue that leads to bad breath, eliminating undigested food particles, enhancing the sense of taste and promoting the overall digestive-assimilation process.
In Ayurveda, the tongue is one of the road maps to diagnosing health concerns, and its examination can show imbalances related to all the internal organs and imbalances of the doshas. The use of the tongue scraper not only cleans these windows to the organs and mind but also stimulates and invigorates the internal organs.
While tongue scrapers come in many shapes and size's it is recommended to buy a stainless steel version, which is able to cleanse the entire width of the tongue so that the coating can be efficiently scraped from back to front, and then removed.
There are several methods of Nasal Irrigation, but the most popular is the neti pot, a ceramic or plastic pot that looks like a small teapot. Although nasal irrigation using the neti pot has been around for centuries, its use has increased because of Ayurvedic/Yoga medical traditions.
On a deeper level, the use of the neti pot maintains balance within the Kapha dosha. In Ayurveda, the body goes through 3 stages each day know as doshas and is defined by the 5 elements in our universe: Kapha (earth/water) in the morning, Pitta (fire/water) in the mid-day and Vata (air/ether) in the evening. In the morning the Kapha dosha is more active with possible sluggishness and congestion. Doing nasal irrigation will relieve some of these excesses and benefit the eyes, ears, throat, and mind.
Once the nasal passages are dry, it is time to administer Nasya “Nasal” Oil. Using this oil is beneficial for lubricating the sinus passageways, relieving sinus problems, mucous congestion, dryness, and snoring. Nasya also helps to relieve headaches, stiff necks, fatigue, and insomnia. It reduces stress and anxiety, clears and strengthens the mind, and stimulates the nervous system.
