No matter where we live in the world, we all navigate the demands of work, family and our environment on a daily basis. One of the simplest and greatest gifts that the 5000 year old science of Ayurveda offers an invitation to look closely at our daily routine. In Ayurveda, daily routines are called dinacharya which translates as ‘Dina’ meaning day or flow and ‘charya’, practices.

I understand how the very idea of daily routine may bring up resistance. It just seems predictable and boring compared to the excitement that spontaneous living seemingly offers – right?!

Yet as much as we resist it, it is only a matter of time before we feel depleted by the many choices and decisions we have to make throughout the day. As a practical woman, I honour traditions that are self-empowering and effective. For this I hold deep respect for Ayurveda’s strong focus on prevention. Quite simply, informed daily routines are potent medicine for their ability to reduce feelings of overwhelm and contribute to greater health, resilience and harmony on all levels of being.

Ayurveda understands everything as an embodiment of living in harmony with nature and its five elements: air, ether, fire, earth and water. Just look to Nature and you’ll find predictable daily routines – the rising and setting of the sun, the cycles of the seasons, and the impulses that direct the behaviour of all creatures.

With the advent of energy we lost our connection to these rhythms. Consider our ability to alter our environment and engage with life at all hours of day and night and the disruption it has had on our habits of routine and overall health. We have truly become a culture of the ‘wired and tired.’

Self-care is the cornerstone of our well-being. Ask yourself these questions.

• What do I do every day that supports me and is good for me? (eg. eat well and exercise)
• What do I do every day that doesn’t support me?” (eg. eat on the go, go to bed late).

We can look at our daily habits like a dripping pipe. A few drips won’t do any damage, but over time a dripping pipe pools causing decay to the foundation. According to Ayurveda, if we don’t heed the early messages (eg. indigestion, sleep disturbance, anxiety) there is potential for these imbalances to go into the deeper tissue layers and manifest as serious discord in body and mind.

Adopting a daily routine has provided me with a deep sense of grounding and stability. You see, my body has learnt to count on a daily routine that includes things like adequate rest, cleansing practices, appropriate exercise and nourishing food. And this has cumulatively allowed my nervous system to relax and elicit profound rejuvenation.

Our daily routine is nothing short of an abiding act of self-love. It gives us permission to prioritise our own health and well being every day — no matter what else is going on in our lives.

Register for the next Ayurveda in Daily Life Workshop on June 2nd, 10:30-14:00 at Space to Breathe

 

Written by Danielle Satya Parla

About the author Danielle is a psychologist, Transformational Breath® Group Leader, yoga teacher, energy worker and writer. Her retreat and practice space, Space to Breathe, is for those who wish to open their inner ear and awaken to a renewed vision of authentic health and happiness. Danielle’s work is a unique combination of western psychology, energetic medicine and intuitive healing — practices that have transformed her own life. Breathwork is central to her practice for it not only facilitates healing of the physical body, heart and mind, but also serves an evolutionary function for the spirit. She offers 1-1 breathwork sessions, group breathing circles, workshops and retreats in Mallorca and Switzerland.