AYURVEDIC PRACTICES TO BRING YOUR BODY INTO BALANCE
Cleansing the mouth
First to do upon rising is to spit, clean tongue with tongue scraper and clean the teeth. This removes bacteria and toxins from the mouth that have accumulated overnight, and prevents them from reabsorbing into the digestive system.
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Cleansing tea
Before food consumption and half and hour before breakfast:
Have a fresh lemon OR lime, fresh ginger, and ore honey tea. This is a cleansing and nourishing drink to be taken warm. This detoxifies and cleanses the body and stimulates digestion. NOTE: Raw organic honey is medicinally superior. Honey should only be added to warm water, rather than hot. Heating honey above 75 degrees makes it toxic to the system.
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Pranayama
Take 10-15 deep breaths to draw oxygen into the lungs and stimulate gaseous exchange, bringing oxygen to all the cells of the body. Breath awareness also calms an unsteady mind, reduces anxiety, and increases the flow of Prana (energy) throughout the body.
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Daily self massage (abhyanga) using warmed oils suited to your constitution.
Vata: Cold pressed black sesame oil (warming, heavy and grounding) or VATA OIL
Pitta: Coconut oil (light and cooling) or PITTA OIL
Kapha: Mustard seed oil (warming, penetrating, light) or KAPHA OIL
Place container of oil in bowl of hot water to warm before applying to body. Start massage on left foot for female, right foot for male.
Massage with long strokes over limbs, and circular motions over joints and chest and abdomen. Target problem areas of congestion or pain. Work all the way up to the head, massaging the face also. It is ideal, but optional to massage the head with oil. (try to do the head with oil at least once per week)A shower can be taken after application of the oils, or beforehand. For Vata constitutions it is best to leave the oils on the body.
This is a very self nurturing practice that restores health and vitality back to the body, mind and soul. It can be performed morning or night. It benefits the muscles, tissues, and lymphatic system. It promotes self-awareness, and a meditative, calm state of mind. It cultivates prana and life energy, and is very grounding for those suffering from anxiety. Vata and Pitta massage should be long, slow and calming strokes. Kapha massage can more vigorous and penetrating to the muscles and lymphatic system.
Use old clothes and towels, which can be soaked weekly in napi-san to remove oil. Drops of eucalyptus oil in wash will remove oil smell.
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Daily meditation
10 minutes or more of breathing meditation practised either morning, night, or both.
Follow the breath right throughout the body. Start at your nasal passage, and move inhalation down to your expanding abdomen. Upon exhalation contract the abdomen back towards the spine. This helps the mind to still and heighten present moment awareness. It is very calming.
For a busy mind, start with open eye candle meditation. This meditation helps to focus the mind and bring it to one point.
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Daily yoga postures
5 postures suitable for your constitution.
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Night time routine
To ensure a good nights sleep go to bed before 10pm wherever possible and arise before sunrise. Avoid stimulating activity such as study, work, computer or TV at least 1 hour before bed.
Warm milk with nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamon with Barrambah organic non-homogenised milk is good to help with sleep and can be taken one hour before retiring. Add sweetness in the form of sugar or maple syrup (Kapha constitutions or people with nasal/chest congestion should limit dairy to day time, and opt for camomile tea instead)
Warmed sesame oil foot massage will bring calm to the body and mind, and reduce worry, over-thinking or anxiety.
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NOTE: Go gently on your Self. Implement these practices slowly over time, so that you enjoy your way of being.
These practices are here for your nourishment and well-being, and should always be practised with compassion towards oneself.
