Today we turn to the practical side of Ayurveda. The point at which we apply the concepts and the principles I have been presenting… to our lifestyle and daily routine. Our health journey continues with learning how we can live a life that is not only long but one that is optimal and full of vitality.

In this week’s podcast, I provide some details with a general daily schedule or dinacharya for waking, cleansing, exercising, eating and sleeping. There are so many great suggestions here for honoring yourself by incorporating specific routines for the body and mind. Once you get going, you will surely see the benefits and want to keep building your ideal regimen.

Why is a daily routine or dinacharya important?

Because everything we do has a particular energy. There is the windy, moving energy of Vata, the heated, transforming energy of Pitta and the stable, nourishing energy of Kapha. The key is to achieve a balance of all three energies in order to maintain our strength, stamina and harmony.

One of my Ayurveda teachers provided a wonderful analogy of how necessary it is for us to have these three energies in sync. It’s similar to a good company that works efficiently. All persons need to defer/concur to work in tandem for a company to function. For example: a planner needs to heed the advice of the accountant, the architect and the lawyer in order to create a viable project.

Just like that, all three doshas need to work in tandem for our bodies to function. For instance, our nervous system needs movement or Vata energy to channel nerve impulses. It needs Pitta energy to transform the synapse of the impulses. And, our nervous system needs the storage energy of Kapha to maintain the nerves in their medium.

So, because everything we are and do has a particular dosha quality, the way we eat, sleep, work and enjoy ourselves also all have qualities of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

For the Vata predominant individual (who tends toward the windy, airy and moving qualities), it’s imperative that they stick to a routine. So, the recommendation for establishing a daily routine is especially beneficial for this particular energy because it likes to change often. Balancing the ever changing Vata movement is key.

For the Pitta predominant energy, it’s important to find habits and routines that can cool this person down. These routines will be naturally easy for Pitta types to follow because they like to implement plans and organize themselves. However, the intensity at which they do this needs to be turned down a notch. Some activities will need to be introduced to allow for cooling off and letting go like connecting with the water element or watching a moon rise. 

For Kapha predominant individuals, it’s important to introduce variation. Unlike the Vata energy, Kapha hates change and will latch on to a specific routine for… well… forever. So, it’s best to keep a few variations going in the daily routine. For instance, in exercising, try mixing it up by walking one day and playing tennis or golf the next.

Maintaining our health is a task that needs constant rebalancing. And, more importantly, it’s on going work that varies from person to person. Ayurveda is not “one size fits all.” So, please keep in mind, that these practices that I am sharing here and on my podcast are general ones. In order to get the best recommendations for balancing your specific body/mind and spirit, it is important that you have individualized guidance.

If you are interested in seeking individual counsel, I would be happy to work with you one on one to determine your particular tendencies and the practices that would best suit you. Please click here to find out how you can set up a personal guidance plan.

Until we connect again, hold fast to your health journey. May you find peace, happiness and wholeness in it.

Namaste my friends! Kim.