Dinacharya – Part Ii
Last month’s Ayurveda column, ‘Dinacharya – Part I’, explained that dinacharya is an ideal sequence of daily activities that are performed at optimal times of the day, based on Ayurvedic principles. Listed below are additional components of dinacharya. Although these are ‘ideal’ recommendations, the best routine is one that is real for you, so that you can follow it regularly. Establishing a regular routine creates stability, which in turn promotes personal balance.
CLEANSE AND ELIMINATE
In the morning:
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Empty your bladder.
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Wash your hands, then rinse your face, eyes, ears and mouth with cool water. This refreshing action cools the heat (pitta) that accumulated over night, it is refreshing and it helps to avoid seeing, hearing or speaking through irritated sense organs.
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Brush your teeth using a natural, herbal toothpaste or powder. Use a tongue cleaner, swiping from the root of your tongue to the tip, several times to remove excess coating. Gargle with a natural, herbal mouthwash. Swish warm sesame oil in your mouth, spit out the oil and massage your gums with a fingertip.
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Rinse and oil your nostril. On a daily basis, swab your nostrils with rosewater, then swab with sesame oil. When environmental irritants are present, use a neti pot to clean the nasal passages and sinuses, or instead, apply herbal medicated oil drops in nostrils.
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Drink a cup of warm water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This simple act assists the cleansing action of the gastrointestinal tract, removing excess mucous (kapha) and bodily wastes.
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Empty your bowels.
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Brush your skin with a natural dry brush or coarse washcloth to remove dead skin cells and increase circulation.
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Perform abhyanga by applying warm, dosha specific oil to your skin and scalp in an attentive and loving manner. Abhyanga improves the quality of your skin while enhancing the flow of vital energy (prana).
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Shower or bathe in slightly warmer than body temperature water. Use a natural, pH balanced soap, so that you are not removing the natural oils of your skin.
In the evening:
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Wash your hands, face and feet and/or bathe. Brush your teeth.
PRACTICES FOR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT
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Practice pranayama (breathing techniques), japa (repeating mantra or sacred words) and meditation in the vata time of the morning and again in the kapha time of the evening before bedtime.
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Practice vyayama (conscious physical activities), such as yoga asana and walking, in the kapha time of the morning and evening. Your morning practice helps you to meet the demands of your day and the evening practice assists in releasing the day’s impressions.
EATING
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Breakfast should serve to break your evening fast. Eat a moderate meal of fruit or grain when you get hungry in the kapha time of the morning.
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Lunchtime should provide your largest or most complex meal of the day. You have the highest digestive ability during this pitta time of the afternoon. Eat a substantial lunch when you are hungry, then rest on your left side for a few minutes after the meal to assist digestion.
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Dinner is a time to eat a light, easily digestible meal such as soup or well-cooked grains and vegetables. Eat only if or when you are hungry in the late vata or early kapha time of the evening. Eat no later than two hours before retiring.
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Eat silently, slowly and only when you are truly hungry.
WORK, PLAY AND OTHER ACTIVITES
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Social interaction, work requirements and the ways that you choose to have fun should occur primarily in the pitta and vata times of the day. The kapha time of the morning builds your stamina for the day and the kapha time of the evening naturally slows you down.
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Before bedtime, unwind with relaxing activities, such as easy stretching, inspiring reading or enjoyable listening. Review your day and if there are any details less than positive, re-write them in the most positive form, and then let go of the details completely.
Disclaimer: This article was written for educational purposes only and is based on the tradition of Ayurveda. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prescribe or heal any health condition or to replace standard medical treatment or advice.
Denise O’Dunn, president and founder of Balance & Bliss Inc., is a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Licensed Massage Therapist (ma58502) and yoga teacher. She received her degree in Ayurveda from the Florida Vedic College and is a professional member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association. She can be reached at balanceandbliss@gmail.com or visit www.balanceandbliss.com