Ayurveda is an ancient Indian holistic approach to the perfect healthy lifestyle and there are 3 basics types, sort of like personalities that they call Dosha’s. The Dosha’s are Vata, Kapha and Pitta and everybody is predominantly one but everyone has some of each within themselves. These Dosha’s are also applied to certain times of the day and you should base what you do during those times on each Dosha.
Vata are full of energy and creativity and these keywords apply: cold, light, dry, rough,moving, quick, changeable. Usually with a lean body and they sleep lightly.
Kapha are warm hearted with a steady mind and these keywords apply: heavy , slow, steady, solid, cold, soft, oily. Usually strong built with soft eyes, thick hair and sound sleep.
Pitta are sharp thinkers with a fire personality and these keywords words apply: hot, light, intense, acidic, sharp, pungent. Usually medium sized, red haired or baldness/thin hair and have sound sleep for short period of time.
I recommend searching for a quiz online to find out which Dosha’s you are but In this post I will be writing about some of the easier practises to adopt for anyone wanting to start within this tradition. And I’d like you to bear in mind that there is some order to how I have written them for gaining your optimum Ayurvedic health.
Waking up early is beneficial and if your Dosha is predominantly Kapha you are recommended to wake up at 4.30am , if pitta 5.30am and 6am for Vata. The early morning between 2am and 6am is Vata time when dreams, meditation and exercise such as yoga are ideal. I realise that 4.30am is quite ridiculous for most of us western folk so I recommend aiming to wake up around 6am.
First thing, depending on if you can, you should go for your daily evacuation. So now it’s come out one end it’s time to take care of the other, the mouth and the starting point of digestion. I’ve mentioned this before but buy a copper tongue scraper and use it everyday upon waking. It removes toxins that have been excreted onto the tongue while you sleep. The removal of the built up salvia on your tongue supports detoxification of the whole body as the tongue is the beginning of digestion. This is because it stimulates the tongues glands making your body think it’s ready to expect food. Using a copper scraper will also help with bad breath and make your food taste better as there is less coating on the taste glands. Remember to follow with brushing your teeth as usual.
Once you’ve removed this coating off your tongue, start your day with a glass of water but make sure it’s not super cold. Instead drink it at room temperature as this is better for your gut health and also uses less body energy to consume. As when cold water hits your stomach your body works harder to change it to the temperature of your body. Another good choice is to hop straight to hot water and have a ginger and lemon tea. Ayurvedic practitioners say this type of tea starts our digestive fire and once again gears your stomach up for food. Ginger is known to be anti-inflammatory and calming to the gut and lemon is full of key nutrients and good for detoxication.
Next up do some gentle exercise such as yoga, then some Prayanama followed by meditation. The next best time to do some exercise is between 2pm-6pm and once again the best type of movement depends on your Dosha type.
After you’ve done something along the lines of this morning routine it’s time for a small breakfast. What you eat is important in Ayurveda and each Dosha’s has it’s own do’s and don’ts. I recommend searching online for more information on your diet as I could be here all day if I was to list what everyone should ideally eat and when to. However one universal rule is that from 12pm till 2pm is lunch time as it’s crucial Pitta time when your digestive fire is raging at its highest. In Ayurveda lunch is your biggest meal as having a smaller dinner gives our body time to rest and digest during the next pitta part of the day (10pm-2am).
It is then suggested to get creative after 2pm and at 6pm have a light dinner. Afterwards stop any type of work and start to relax making sure to turn off electronics around 8.30pm for a sound sleep.
Finally bedtime should be early around 10pm as past that time is pitta energy again and when you should process thoughts and food. If you stay up past this time a second wind of energy can appear or food cravings might pop up. Plus If you end up snacking this doesn’t give your body optimum rest time as your body is busy digesting instead of healing.
So I hope you found these some great starting tips as you wish to dive deeper into the Ayurveda lifestyle? Comment below if any of these stand out as what you do or don’t do already. Whether you adopt this tradition or not into your life some of these things above are simply great additions to a healthy lifestyle.
Earthly Luna Wellbeing 