Daily routines.
Dinacharya - weaving wisdom into our daily lives.
Ayurveda recognises the intimate relationship between the mind, body and soul, which is why Dinacharya practices aim to nurture your whole being, fostering true holistic health.
The idea of living well is to live fearlessly, without worrying about health issues. This is becoming increasingly more and more challenging with each passing day. By following Dinacharya, an Ayurvedic daily routine, we offer a simple solution to all health-related worries and promote a healthy balance between mind, body and soul.
According to ancient wisdom, the body needs to stay connected to the rhythms of nature to stay balanced.
Dinacharya is a daily routine that has been designed to maintain and connect us with our internal clock or our circadian rhythms. The disconnection from our circadian rhythm has been linked to several health issues, such as mood and sleep disorders, poor cognitive function, obesity, daytime sleep disorders, diabetes, substance abuse, fatigue, heart disease and even cancer.
Dinacharya is a Sanskrit word made up of “dina”- day and “acharya”- activity.
Ayurveda Dincharya consists of two daily cycles:
– Sun Cycle
– Moon Cycle
They are connected with the Ayurvedic body types / Doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Daily Dosha Cycles according to Ayurveda:
First cycle: Sunrise to Sunset (6 am – 6 pm)
– 6 am – 10 am – Kapha
– 10am – 2pm – Pitta
– 2pm – 6pm – Vata
Second cycle: Sunset to Sunrise (6 pm – 6 am)
– 6 pm – 10 pm – Kapha
– 10pm – 2am – Pitta
– 2 am – 6 am – Vata
Daily Routine:
Rise and Shine – The time between 5.30 – 6 am is considered the ideal time to wake up. It’s essential to keep a few minutes of silence and be with yourself to express gratitude and create a mindset of positivity and calmness that you will carry with you throughout the day.
Evacuation – Daily evacuation is absolutely essential for the healthy functioning of the human body.
Oil Pulling – Take 2 tbsp of sesame or coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for 5 mins. Then spit it out, rinse your mouth and brush as usual. This helps to draw out harmful bacteria produced through the night and helps keep the teeth and gums healthy.
Tongue Scraping – Daily scraping of the tongue removes the build-up of toxins and cleanses the ama. To be done post brushing.
Drink Warm Water – 200ml of hot/warm water with a tablespoon of ghee is recommended, taken early morning to cleanse and hydrate the system internally and stimulate the digestive fire (agni) for the day ahead.
Exercise – Daily movement and stretching is essential. This removes stagnation from the body whilst strengthening the muscles. Greeting each morning with a yoga sequence, such as Sun Salutations is a personal favorite.
Oil Massage – Best done with Abhyanga oil (a special Ayurvedic formulation) or organic coconut oil. Warm the oil and self-massage all over the body, including the feet and scalp. This practice ensures healthy blood circulation for a calmer and regulated nervous system.
Bathe – Daily bathing removes the excess oil and upper dead layers of the skin, leaving you feeling energised and fresh for the day ahead. Dry brushing beforehand is ideal, especially when experiencing Kapha imbalances.
Meditation - To be done daily to maintain a healthy balance between mind, body and soul. It helps calm the nervous system and leaves you feeling peaceful, happy and steady.
Unwind – The most crucial part of the day, where you wind down and allow yourself to relax and release all the stress from the body and mind. Light candles, take a warm shower, spend time with friends and family, listen to music and do anything that brings a sense of peace and calmness. Stay away from screens.
Sleep by 10 pm and aim to get 7-8 hours of rest through the night.
Benefits of Dinacharya
Prevents disease by building immunity
Helps build a connection with nature to live harmoniously with the rhythm of nature.
Releases stress and tension from the body and mind.
Helps regulate digestion.
Helps maintain discipline.
Brings you happiness and peace.
Ensure a healthy lifestyle and promotes longevity.
Balancing Doshas
Ayurveda identifies three doshas that govern various physiological and psychological functions. Dinacharya plays a crucial role in balancing these doshas.
The first step in balancing doshas is understanding your unique constitution or Prakriti. Ayurveda categorises individuals into different Prakritis, and each person has a unique combination of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Knowing your governing doshas helps tailor your Dincharya practices to address the specific needs of your body and mind.
Ayurvedic Dinacharya is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It involves tailoring daily routines to suit individual doshic imbalances. For example, if your Vata dosha is heightened, you might focus on grounding practices, while excess of the Pitta dosha may require cooling and calming activities; with Kapha excess, stimulation and lightness is needed.
The Ayurvedic approach to eating is deeply rooted in dosha balance. For Vata imbalance - favour warm, nourishing foods. Pitta imbalance benefits from cooling and hydrating foods, while Kapha imbalance benefits from light and easily digestible options.
Incorporating yoga and pranayama (breath control) into your Dinacharya routine also helps balance doshas on an inner level.
Regular detoxification, known as Panchakarma, is a vital aspect of Ayurvedic Dinacharya. This helps eliminate accumulated doshic imbalances.
If you’re ever confused about where to start, booking an Ayurvedic consultation with Marye can be a great first step. Understanding your unique constitution according to Ayurvedic principles provides personalised insights into dosha imbalances and can help you tailor your Dinacharya practices, accordingly, ensuring a more effective and targeted approach to achieving optimal wellbeing.