Ayurveda Fall Routines
What does dinacharya mean? Daily routine. In Ayurveda (the science of life) routines are a vital part of our daily existence. What we do on a regular basis is how we cultivate good or bad habits. When we get out of our routine is when we lose focus on our goals and our habits tend to shift. One of the most common times to lose our habits is with the change of the seasons. With each change of the season comes in new energy, weather, and attitude. If we don’t adjust accordingly we tend to fall off track and have trouble staying consistent and is one of the big reasons people don’t tend to stick with a goal. Below you will learn about all four of the seasons and some habit shifts to make with each change of the guard so to speak. First I want to start you off with a basic daily routine below that you can follow and modify as you see fit based on the time of the year.
Daily Dinacharya Example
- Wake up at or around 6am
- Say a prayer or as you put your feet on the ground say I’m transitioning from my headspaceinto my heart space. Or whatever phrase is calling to you to start your day with intention.
- Scrape your tongues, wash your face and brush your teeth
- Drink water
- Have a bowel movement (it is suppose to common naturally within the first hour of waking ifnot look into diet & lifestyle changes to help you become more regular)
- Nasya oil or neti pot depending on the season
- Meditation or movement depending on your dosha and what you need in your life
- Divine Time see handout
- Incorporate 10 minute medicine into your day as needed (see handout)
- Self-massage at some point in your day- dry brush or using oils such as coconut oil
- Early lighter dinner (eating something light and done eating by 6-7pm, the earlier the better) &early to bed (in bed by 10pm most nights)
Fall Season (Vata time of year)
The Fall is another great time of year to indulge in a cleanse. Late September or October are a great time of year to have a cleanse once the weather starts to cool down. The cleanse can be 1-3 weeks. Typically the first week you ease into it, 2nd week add a few more restorative practices, and week 3 you are able to fully submerge yourself into the cleanse.
The daily Fall Cleanse Lifestyle & Exercise Guidelines
-Notice the below avoid & enjoy tips are specific to the Fall cleanse
General Fall Tips
The Fall season is a time of transition. The trees, weather, plants are all changing around us and our bodies feel the effects whether we notice it or not. More grounding foods, and practices are needed to ground down. This is the time of the year to have heavy, oil, fat & protein based foods.
Routines are key in the Fall as that helps keep Vata grounded. The more you can wake up and go to bed around the same time the more likely you are to stay grounded in your body.
Don't know your dosha? Take the free quiz first!
Vata Dosha During Fall Season
Avoid:
• Cold foods & drinks
• Raw foods
• Being out in the wind without your head being covered- vata lives in the ears so if you get extra wind there you might start to feel very ungrounded & spacey.
Enjoy:
- A nap if you need it
- Epsom salt bath, steam room
- Restorative yoga
- Sipping hot water
- Oil massage
- Go to bed early
Pitta Dosha During the Fall Season
- Spicy ingredients- hot sauce, cayenne pepper
- Nightshades- tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, & white potatoes
- Vigorous exercise- If you usually run, walk.
Enjoy
- Grounding yoga practice
- Lighter strength training sessions think 15-20 reps if feeling a little “spacey” or“ungrounded”
- Sleep is key to help rejuvenate during the Fall season
- Routines that incorporate self-care
- Go to bed by 10pm
- An afternoon grounding practice such as a walk in nature, meditation practice, or a few yoga poses will help the afternoon fatigue that comes with the Fall season.
***Pitta dosha on a Fall cleanse can be anywhere from 5-7 days
Kapha Dosha During the Fall Season
Avoid
- Eating between meals
- Eating too much at one time
- Being at home every single day
Enjoy
- Early, lighter dinners
- Going to bed early
- Movement to start your day
- Not to heavy of foods- watch the root vegetables if feeling out of balance
- Dance, flowing yoga, being out in nature
*****Kapha dosha on a Fall cleanse can be anywhere from 7-12 days
Free 28 Day Ayurvedic Toolkit
Get started on your Ayurvedic journey one day at a time this Fall season with the free guide to start living aligned with yourself and the seasons.
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