The Ideal Ayurvedic Lifestyle
In continuing with regard to the eight limbs of Ayurveda, the science of life also recommends a change in lifestyle so that harmoniously both are able to nurture optimal health and wellbeing in an individual. Ayurvedic Physician at Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions Dr. Gayathri Nissanka explained that health is not merely free from diseases but has the ability to perform at its optimal with satisfaction and self control.
“Health is a root factor to achieve a balance in dharma (reality or aspect of truth), artha (wealth), kama (desires), and moksha (salvation). There is great emphasis on prevention of any kind of illnesses and disease, and the maintenance of health through close attention of lifestyle and even the use of herbs,” she said.
Balance therefore is natural order, and imbalance is disorder. Health is order, and disease is disorder.
Within the human body, there is this constant interaction and working between order and disorder. It is important to understand all aspects and the nature and structure of disorder so an individual may be able to reestablish order in their life.
Dr. Nissanka explained that when people before the age of 65 years died in the western society some years ago, it was typically categorised at premature death. However, many factors could have contributed to this fact, even infectious disease, but it is now understood that the primary factor was chronic lifestyle and its related diseases.
It is a blessing to have a healthy lifestyle and a healthy life.
Ayurveda thoroughly emphasises the importance of having a healthy life by the following connotation, “Preserve the health of a healthy individual.” A great deal is also written on the fact that prevention is certainly better than cure.
“Dina charya refers to the ideal Ayurvedic lifestyle. Dina means daily and charya means regiment. Ayurveda has a set of routine activities that are recommended to be completed by an individual in a day. The ideal day of an individual should begin with waking up early in the morning at a time that is called brahma muhurta which means nearly 1 to ½ hours before sunrise. This timeline is also referred to as God’s hour and is very calm, serene and quiet, and therefore very beneficial to every human being, even children,” she added.
Once an individual is awake, drink a glass of lukewarm water; the quantity mentioned is a handful of water. This begins to wake up the body, and stimulates the renal and digestive systems, which would cause the urge to pass urine and stool. This sensation should not be suppressed. Suppressing of natural urges as well as forceful elimination can lead to many diseases. If an individual feels constipated, it is recommended to add more fiber containing foods to the diet and increase water consumption. If it is not corrected with diet and fluids, an Ayurvedic triphala churna (powder) or tablets could be used to balance the disorder. Elimination of stools is very important or else the human body will have gas formation which will lead to bloating, formation of toxins in the gut, and severe illnesses from piles to cancers.
Waking up early in the morning allows an individual the time to express gratitude towards the universe, and also spend time in a meditative state. Triphala or rose water can be used to clean the eyes. Then begins oral hygiene, consisting of gargling the mouth with water and cleaning of teeth and tongue. According to Ayurvedic text it is mentioned to use different types of tree twigs for this purpose. Arjuna (kumbuk), khadira (rath kihiriya)and bomi are well known amongst what is typically used amongst Sri Lankans who practice the Ayurvedic lifestyle. Brushing of teeth should ideally be performed in a vertical direction, top to bottom. This action not only cleans the teeth but also gets rid of bad odour in the mouth, and creates a natural desire for food.
Tongue scraping should typically be performed with the help of metals like gold , silver or iron. This helps in eliminating microbes that contribute to bad odour in the mouth, and also stimulates the taste perception and salivation. Furthermore it increases digestion by stimulating gastric secretions and inducing appetite.
Nasya karma is the name given to the procedure of administrating medicines through the nasal route (trans-nasal medication) and Pratimarsha Nasya is a type of Nasyakarma which is recommended for daily practice. A drop of oil for each nostril has many advantages and positive effects on all the sensory organs.
Gargling is a procedure that strengthens the mandible and face muscles, and improves the clarity of the sensory organs as well. Oil or other herbal preparations would be beneficial for this, but for daily purposes, the use of mild water with a pinch of salt also applicable. This is very important in today’s day and age as with the talk and spread of COVID 19, there has been emphasis on respiratory hygiene. Dhumapana or herbal smoking which involves inhaling herbal smoke through the nostrils and out through the mouth, facilitate strength and prevent diseases in the upper body.
Exercising is most optimal in the mornings as much as is meditation. Vyayama as it is referred to in Ayurvedic terms, is considered to be beneficial as it is promotes digestion, removes body sluggishness, ignites the digestive fire, burns fat and promotes the feeling of peace and joy. It also enables the body to maintain an ideal body weight, and adjusts body metabolism. Most lifestyle related diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol levels in the blood can be prevented to some extent from daily physical exercises. Surya Namaskar (a practice in yoga incorporating a sequence of poses and flows) and other yogic practices, and also breathing exercises like pranayama will boost energy levels that will see an individual through the day. Other alternatives to these practices are a brisk walk and a swim.
Ayurveda also pays attention to the importance of involving the body in proper abhyanga (a form of oil massage), as it cures vitiated vata dosha in the body and tiredness, improves vision, facilitates proper sleep and enhances the quality of life. Head, foot and body massages with the use of herbal and natural oils increases blood circulation and promotes proper oxygen course throughout the body. After engaging the body in some form of exercise and abhyanga, a warm water shower or bath is recommended to wash away the sweat and grime. Don light, comfortable clothes which feel good to the body.
“Ahara seva is most valuable part in the daily routine, as food is the best medicine to the body,” said Dr. Nissaka. “One’s meals should be well planned. According to Ayurvedic texts, food should have all six taste — madura (sweet), amla (sour), lavana (salty), katu (pungent), thikta (bitter) and kasya (astringent). Meals should be fresh and warm, and consumed in a pleasant place, in a neither too fast nor too slow manner.”
Thambula bakshana relates to cleaning the oral cavity after digesting food. Betel leaves and nuts are suggested to be taken as they improve digestion, give a good smell and improve the functions in all indriyas (strengths). “Chewing on betel leaves has become an addiction, which some argue has given rise to oral cancers, but many researches have proven that herbal preparations will not lead to such effects because its composition is quite different,” explained Dr. Nissaka.
Breakfast should be wholesome and nutritious. Lunch is proposed to be taken between noon and 1pm. Anything more than a short nap should be avoided after lunch as it may trigger the accumulation of vitiated kapha dosha which is not a healthy sign. A short nap on the other hand, preferably on the left side, will keep the mind and body fresh and alert. Dinner should be taken between 6pm and 7pm, and ideally two to three hours before sleep as it gives the body ample time to digest the meal. Going to bed with a heavy stomach will lead to a number of digestive problems.
The best time to rest for the day is between 9pm and 10pm so that the mind and body gets six to seven hours of sleep. It is advisable to massage the soles of the feet and head with oil before as this will calm the bodily systems and regulate wellbeing. Drinking triphala (a herbal remedy) before sleep will aid in digestion and avoid constipation.
For the first few days, it is normal to feel resistance to a change in routine. However, it is up to each individual to make it a habit, as there is much to gain including a happy, and healthy life.
(to be continued…)
