Dinacharya: Daily regimen
The word Dinacharya is derived from two roots: "Dina” meaning “Day” and “Charya” meaning Activity.
Daily routine is necessary for maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit. The benefits of a daily routine are:
A day consist of 2 cycles:
For each cycle, there are 4-hour periods dominated by vata, pitta or kapha energies. Similarly, we also have vata, pitta and kapha energies within our bodies in various strengths and combinations. Hence, it is beneficial if we can prevent activities that aggravate the cycle of vata, pitta, and kapha.
First Cycle (6 am to 6 pm) - Sunrise to Sunset
Second Cycle (6 pm to 6 am) - Sunset to Sunrise
Dinacharya
Daily routine is necessary for maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit. The benefits of a daily routine are:
- Helps establish balanced constitution
- Aids in digestion and absorption
- Inculcates discipline, and
- Leads to peace, happiness and longevity
A day consist of 2 cycles:
- Sun cycle
- Moon cycle
For each cycle, there are 4-hour periods dominated by vata, pitta or kapha energies. Similarly, we also have vata, pitta and kapha energies within our bodies in various strengths and combinations. Hence, it is beneficial if we can prevent activities that aggravate the cycle of vata, pitta, and kapha.
First Cycle (6 am to 6 pm) - Sunrise to Sunset
- 6 am to 10 am – Kapha
- 10 am to 2 pm – Pitta
- 2 pm to 6 pm – Vata
Second Cycle (6 pm to 6 am) - Sunset to Sunrise
- 6 pm to 10 pm – Kapha
- 10 pm to 2 am – Pitta
- 2 am to 6 am - Vata
Dinacharya
- Wake-up Time: It is recommended that one should wake up before sunrise, with a feeling of freshness and lightness. This times changes according to body type. For example, kapha type persons should wake up before 5 am. On the other hand vata type should wake up around 6 am
- Prayers: In the morning there is flow of satva guna. It produces good thoughts throughout the day. Hence, before getting out of the bed, offer prayers to the God. Thank Him for giving such wonderful life. This time of the day is really good for meditation.
- Personal hygiene: Wash your face with water & clean your eyes. This refreshes you immediately.
- Evacuation: Drinking a glass or two of warm water helps in the elimination. Empty your bowls without straining. Keep a good habit of elimination daily.
- Oral hygiene: Brush teeth by using toothpaste which is astringent, pungent or bitter in taste. Traditionally neem stick or licorice stick was used as toothbrush.
- Scrape your tongue: Tongue scraper should be made up of metal like gold, silver, copper, or brass. This helps in removing plaque/coats from tongue.
- Gargles: For gargling, use sesame oil (Tila tel). It gives strength to the jaws, teeth will not be set on edge by sour intake. This will help to get good taste of food and oil will give unctuousness to throat
- Nasya: Application of Nasal oil: Put 3 to 5 drops of anu taila or ghee into each nostril in the morning
- This inhalation helps to lubricate the nose, clears the sinuses, voice becomes sweet, gives clear vision. Nose is the door to the brain and application of nose drops nourishes prana and gives strength to sense organs
- Abhyanga or Self Massage : Apply oil on head regularly releases headaches, stress, hair becomes smooth strong and person does not suffer hair loss, graying of hair
- Body Massage: Massage is very beneficial to skin use sesame oil or coconut oil. Body becomes smooth skinned, strong, prevents the signs of aging and gives good tactile stimulation. Daily massage will help to reduce stress, fatigue
- Bathing: Bathing is purifying it removes sweating, fatigue, and dirt. It refreshes body and mind gives energy and increases ojas. Wearing clean cloths adds to body charm, pleasure, grace. Application of fragrance enhances longevity, gives strength to body and mind
- Exercise: Any type of exercise should be practiced according to your capacity and body constitution. Yoga asanas can be performed along with Sun salutations. This improves flexibility of the body and improves the mental capacity.
- Physical exercise brings about lightness, stability and stimulates the digestive fire. Exercise daily to half of your capacity, which is until sweat forms on the forehead, armpits, and spine
- Meditation: Pranayama and meditation in the morning are the key to healthy body & mind. Meditation improves your ability to focus. It has calming effect on mind. It releses stress and gives strength to the mind. Chanting “Aum” will clear out your thoughts and will help to connect with inner sole. Meditation will bring peace and harmony
- Diet: Maintain a good habit of eating food on time. Eat your lunch around 12pm and dinner around 6 to 7pm. Avoid going to bed immediately after dinner. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, shad rasatmak (Include all 6 tastes) satvik food
- Eat your food slowly Do not eat in hurry or while running. Avoid eating while driving or working on computers.
- Chew your food properly, avoid over eating or less eating.Do not watch TV while eating
- Avoid eating when emotionally disturbed like after fight, anger, stress, grief. Do not eat stale, leftovers, frozen foods
- Do not eat before previous food is digested
- Sleep: When mind along with sense organs get exhausted then person sleeps. Night is the natural time to sleep. Avoid having a full meal just before retiring to bed. Sleeping on the right side is the most relaxing and good for yoga. Sleeping on the left, it is most digestive and increases interest in food, sleep and sex. 6 to 8 hours of daily sleep is essential.
