Hello, my Holistic friends!
How are you all doing this Friday?
Thanks for waiting for this week's Natural Wisdom - as you know I had the past two weeks off - some travel, resettling back into Okinawa, and a lot of Eisa! (Okinawa's traditional dance).
Travelling can throw off your rhythm - and our bodies love rhythm.
Actually, we thrive on it.
Let's find out why.
In 2017 the Nobel prize was awarded to the research on Circadian Rhythm.
You may have heard of it.
It describes the natural rhythm of the body's health-supporting biological processes. Processes that operate in a cycle over the course of a day.
On one level, it explains how our hormones and body functions shift from day to night.
On another level, it describes how the environment affects our body.
To support this system that's trying to help us to feel our best, we need to follow a rhythm that connects to the environment we live in.
This is nothing new and has been understood by humans for many thousands of years.
Even the researchers couldn't believe they won the Nobel Prize for this "new discovery"
"…Young says he was so stunned by the news that he could barely get his shoes on the morning he found out."
For my friends who struggle to wake up in the morning, and for you who identify as "night owls" - I encourage you to spend 2 weeks in nature at some point, without any electronics or night lights - I guarantee you will get sleepy after sunset and wake up around sunrise.
According to Ayurveda, the way to align with this natural rhythm is through having a daily routine. In Sanskrit, it's known as "Dinacharya" which means: to follow the knowledge of the day.
I love the deep wisdom of the old languages.
What are the benefits of a Dinacharya?
First - let's think about our current daily routine (if you have one! if you don't no judgment!)
Grab a pen and paper and write down the following:
- Wake up time
- Meal times
- Bed time
Are they consistent?
How do your wake and sleep times compare with the sunrise and sunset where you live?
When everything has a rhythmic timing, things operate smoothly - think of your car - you know straight away when something is off - usually from some odd sound or vibration. This can happen well before the warning lights turn on - this is the time to pay attention.
Our bodies also give us these messages. They are usually more subtle.
A simple daily routine helps to:
- keep your body balanced - hormones, sleep, appetite, elimination;
- maintain healthy digestive fire (see my previous article about "Agni");
- improve your mental stability - great for decision-making and being present in your relationships;
- give order to your day, to reduce the chaos;
- move your life in your desired direction. (rhythm helps sustain your progress)
Building a Simple Ayurvedic Daily Routine:
Here's one I started with, and use as my foundation for my current Dinacharya. It has brought a deep sense of balance and consistency and helped my creativity to flourish.
Whenever life takes a turn and chaos begins to creep in, I return to this as my anchor.
- Wake up before sunrise. The time when the air is light and things are quiet. Do you notice the lighter clearer qualities at this time?
- Clean your temple: Scrape your tongue, brush your teeth & shower.
- Practice: Meditation, Yoga or any other spiritual practice or supportive exercise that supports your mind and body to feel balanced.
- Eat breakfast by 8:00 a.m. Take 20 minutes to sit down and give your digestion a good start for the day.
- Eat lunch by 12:30 p.m. Having consistent lunch times support digestive rhythm and not getting hangry. Take a moment between leaving your work to clear your mind and relax into this meal, 3-5 conscious breaths can help.
- Eat dinner by 6:00 p.m. having dinner 3+ hours before bed improves sleep quality and reduces that morning heaviness (if you're struggling to get up early).
- Embrace the wave of sleep: start shutting off your electronics at least an hour before bedtime, enjoy relaxed time with loved ones, a book, or a spiritual practice. A great time to prepare yourself for sleep, that sweet release of the day that restores you to start fresh tomorrow.
- Be in bed by 10:00 p.m. At around 10pm, we can get a second wind - this is the body releasing energy for your organs to start cleaning up from the day - using this energy for other things means your cleaning starts to back up.
I invite you to take this Dinacharya and make it yours.
It's important to start simple and find your rhythm with it.
Create and follow yours for the next 30 days - and let me know how you go.
I wish you all a week of supportive structure and effortless flow.
Peace
Kosta Gee
PS When you've embraced the structure, there are more supportive practices you can add, depending on your state of health and goals, which I can guide you on.
