Daily Routines

Each morning is the beginning of a new day and it is important to tune in mentally and physically. Here are some useful tips to get started:

• Wake up early before the dawn
• Take a few long deep breaths through the nose and stretch. Rub your palms together and place the warmed fingers over the eyes and gently open them. Get out of bed slowly and with awareness
• Make sure your home is warm and you are warmly dressed and have something on your feet if the floor is cold
• Wash the hands and face. Fill the mouth with water and splash water in the open eyes. Brush the teeth and clean the tongue and then scrape the tongue with a tongue scraper to remove toxins. Gargle with water and spit out
• Drink/sip a cup of hot water
• Go to the toilet and clear the bowels – if possible squat rather than sit on the toilet. Use cool or lukewarm water to clean rather than toilet paper. If the bowels do not move drink some more hot water and sit down on your heels for 5-10 minutes then go again to the toilet. Do not strain. If the bowels still do not move carry on with your morning procedures but repeat this practice every day until the body starts to follow and become regular. It will do so within a few days
• Take a shower and wash the body. As often as possible put massage oil on the body first (refer to the instructions on our website under ‘Massage Oils’ in regard to which oil to use and how to do this)
• Dress in clean fresh clothes
• Now is time for your morning spiritual practice. This may be prayers, mantras, positive affirmations etc. whatever is meaningful and supportive to you
• Follow with some focussed breathing exercises, postures (asana), meditation, and relaxation. Generally speaking these should be more heating and vigorous for Kapha, moderate for Pitta, and gentle and focussed for Vata.