Tips on Incorporating Ayurveda Into Daily Life

Ayurveda can help heal the mind and body. Vidya Shetty, lead Ayurvedic counselor at YO1 Health Resort (Monticello, NY), shares tips to share with clients to help them incorporate Ayurveda into their daily routine.  

1. Wake up a few minutes before sunrise & go to bed early.
   1. Waking up around 4:30 a.m. – 5:30 a.m. is a best practice. Sleeping around 9:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. is good. Six to eight hours of sleep is recommended and can vary from person to person.
   2. As per Ayurveda, the early hours of morning (2 a.m. – 6 a.m., if sunrise is at 6 a.m.) are Vata Dosha dominant hours and Vata governs the function of the evacuation of the bowels and bowel movements. If an individual wakes up at this hour, the evacuation is complete, which also influences better digestion invariably.
   3. The early hours of the evening is Kapha Dosha dominant (6 p.m. - 10 p.m., if sunrise is at 6 a.m. in the morning) Kapha enhances composure and relaxation. If an individual sleeps early (before 10 p.m.), the sleep is sound and deeply relaxing.
2. A regular self, warm oil massage.
   1. Allot enough time to apply oil to the entire body and allow the oil to be absorbed for around 15 to 20 minutes and then take a warm shower. This can be a relaxing evening ritual to incorporate into your daily routine. 
   2. As for oils to use, sesame oil is the best. Ayurveda also recommends this because it keeps Vata Dosha in balance aiding in optimum health.
3. Mindful eating and bathing.
   1. Mindful eating means knowing that you are eating, chewing food properly, relishing the taste, aroma, texture etc. of the food. Avoid using any electronic devices or speaking while one is consuming food.
   2. You can be mindful while bathing when you are totally aware of the process, such as the warmth of the water, scent of the body wash, and feel of one’s palms on the body parts while bathing or showering.
   3. Ayurveda also recommends warm to hot water on the body and just warm and cold water on the head. Hot water is not recommended on the head.
4. Breath awareness throughout the day.
   1. For breath awareness, you don’t have to breathe in a certain way, but you should consciously know and recognize the movement of air in and out of your body through the nostrils. This prevents the constant chattering of the mind and relaxes the individual as one cannot observe breath and think at the same time. Have multiple check-ins with yourself and assess your current breathing patterns to self-correct or allow time for better breathing. 
5. Self-acceptance and a “no conflict” mindset.
   1. Both Ayurveda and yoga have emphasized the need and importance of self-acceptance and a “no conflict” mindset. All diseases originate in the psyche and are transferred to the body through altered or imbalanced breath which can cause health illnesses.
   2. One way to help achieve this is by incorporating the practice of traditional Hatha Yoga. This specific yoga starts from observing disciplines like nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, contentment, and self-study, known as Yamas and Niyamas, before even starting the practice of Yogasanas.
   3. The benefit of Yogasana practice is also achieving a non-dual mind, and this is why breath awareness is most important during the practice of yoga techniques.
   4. Satvavajaya Chikitsa is Ayurvedic psychotherapy and highlights the need for self-acceptance and a “no conflict” mindset for optimum mental health.