DINACARYAM (DAILY REGIMENS TO BE FOLLOWED ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA)
Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well being and not merely the absence of disease. (Acc. to WHO). According to Ayurveda man is said to be healthy (Swastha) whose humors (Doshas), tissues (Dhatus), excretory products (Malas), and digestive capacity (Agni)are in the state of equilibrium along with mental sensory and spiritual pleasantness and happiness.
Ayurvedic perspective of an ideal lifestyle include following Dinacharya (daily regimen), Rutucharya (seasonal variations), sadvrittha (good codes and conducts), Dharaneeya and Adharneeya Vega (urges which has to be controlled and not to be controlled), Rasayana (rejuvenation) -all of which are instrumental in the prevention of disease and promotion of ideal health.
Dina means daily, charya means regimen. The regimens that are done daily from the time of awakening in the morning, till we go to bed at night concerning to prolong the healthy lifespan is called dinacharya, an essential part of ayurvedic daily routine.
Dinacharya- It includes
Brahma muhurtha utthana (apt time for waking up)
Achamana (wash)
Dantadhavana (brushing of teeth)
Jihwa nirlekhana (scraping of tongue) is an essential morning practice in the ayurvedic daily routine to remove toxins and promote oral hygiene.
Nasya (nasal drops)
Anjana (applying collyrium)
Abhyanga (massages)
Vyayama (exercise)
Snana(bath)
Vastra dharana (dressing codes) is a significant aspect of the ayurvedic daily routine, promoting the balance of dosha through proper attire.
Sadvritta -It is right conduct in order to lead an ideal social harmonious life as guided by the classics like being kind to others, speaking softly etc etc
Brahma muhurtha:
Waking up in Brahmi muhurtha i.e.'two hours before the sunrise', Brahma is knowledge, which is gained by reading. It is the time which is ideal for gaining of the knowledge. And also now a day, there is a lot of pollution in the ironment. And in the morning hours it will be clean without pollution. Along with the clean air, the pleasant atmosphere, absence of noise, the morning rays of the rising sun is very beneficial to the health. Sun is the god of health.Health is got from the sun. So, one should get in the morning before sunrise.
Achamana
means to wash, which will be done after cleaning the excreen tears,sneezing, and after travelling. It will helpful for the digestion offer
completely
Danta dhavana: (BRUSHING)
evacuation of the bowel
One should brush in the morning with twigs of medicated plants like Arka, Vata, Khadira,Karanja, and Arjuna. One should brush in vertical direction from bottom to top. So by doing this it brings freshness, takes away the bad odour, coating on the teeth and creates desires for the food. But in modern age brusing chemicals the pastes are going prepared. So those are not useful for the modern era to have a long life.
Jihwa nirlekhana-(Tongue scrapping)
Tongue scrapping is effective in eliminating the microbes that contribute to bad breath. It also stimulates taste perception and increases the salivation (saliva contains Ptyalin, lysosomes, which acts as bactericidal), a principle in line with the ayurvedic daily routine for maintaining oral health and preventing constipation. It also results in an increased threshold level of the basic taste perception, Increased Stimulation levels of unconditioned reflex in cephalic phase for gastric secretion hence increased appetite and also proper digestion.
Nasya:
Nasya is a unique method of delivering medicated oil via transnasal route. It promotes strength and prevents diseases of urdhwajatru gata angas (head and neck). Transnasal drug delivery may be the route of choice for diseases such as migraine headaches, since there may be direct access from the nasal cavity to the central nervous system (CNS) via the olfactory neurons we avoiding the problems with the blood brain barrier observed for drugs administered intravenously:
Gandusha and Kavala: (gargling)
It gives strength to mandible, clarity of mouth, lightness and clarity of sense organs. And also gives good taste, an effect enhanced by incorporating sesame oil, known in ayurveda for its ability to soothe and balance pita. In modern era such items are prepared with chemicals, so one should avoid those chemical items
Dhumapana (smoking using herbal wicks)
It promotes strength and prevents diseases of urdhwajatru gata angas. It has a stimulant effect on the respiratory center in brain stem. Maintains the patency of nasopharynx and oropharynx as it clears excess secretions.
Anjana (applying collyrium)
It cleans the eyes, which makes them shine like the bright moon in clear sky.
Vyayama (Exercise):
Half of one's capacity (Ardha shakti) is considered as beneficial in Ayurveda as it Increases the digestive power, makes body light and able to withstand exhaustion. It helps in maintaining a healthy state of body and mind, and aids in maintaining ideal body weight, lypolysis of accumulated excess adipose tissue, metabolize carbohydrate, increases oxygen supply to all tissues, increases BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). By doing regularly exercise nourishesthe body, gives good complexion,proportionate the body parts, enhances agni,avoids laziness and obesity, provides lightness of the body parts, and also avoids early aging. It lowers the body fats, reduces the risk of heart disease. And lowers LDL and raises HDL. It helps for the controlling the blood sugar, reduces the risk of osteoporosis and cancer, helps for giving energy, reducing the stress, improves the sleep, to enhance mode of work and the self-esteem. In modern days about exercise, they are having knowledge so that will improve individual life span, echoing the ancient ayurvedic daily routine's emphasis on physical well-being for longevity.
Abhyanga (Massage with medicated oils):
It will increase blood circulation locally providing better transportation of oxygen and nutrients in body. It increases nerve stimulation (sensitivity) depending on the area on which it is done (foot, head, ear and whole body). Relaxes and softens injured and overused
muscles. Other benefits include Nourishment to hair roots and eyes, tones up muscles, increases skin complexion. And by doing padaabyanga,it provides strength and stability to feet, improves the vision and pacifies the vata. By doing Shiroabyanga it prevents the balding, graying, hair fall, strengthens the hair root, and makes the hair long and black.And it also nourishes the sense organs, softens the skin,
Udvartana (powder massage)
By doing this blood vessels become dilated and complexion in the skin is enhanced, a principle often emphasized in the ayurveda daily routine for maintaining kapha dosha balance. Cures rashes, vata diseases, enhances the strength of thighs, and provides the lightness
Samavahana-
Gentle massage enhances the affection, sleep, virility, avoids the Kapha and also improves the circulation
Ratri charya : regimens of night *Consuming light food
Hand wash after food Tooth cleaning and mouth wash *Eating betel leaves
*Walking for 100 steps
*Consumption of triphala (not generally)
*Medicated smoking
Application of anjana (collyrium).
Sleep before 10.30 pm
Concepts of lifestyle told in ayurveda are very unique; evidence based and aims at physical, mental, social and spiritual well being which are practical even in the present era. Prevention is better than cure; hence incorporation of the concepts of lifestyle definitely confers complete health to a person, aligning with the ayurvedic daily routine for enhanced longevity.
Are you yearning to synchronize your life with the rhythm of nature?
Embracing natures rhythm can involve practices like following ritucharya /seasonal regimens ,following dietary restrictions ,practicing mindfulness .It would be a great asset to your health
How are Dinacharya and Ritucharya connected?
Dinacarya involves set of practices and acivies to be followed through out the day right from waking up from the bed to going to bed at night .It is synchronised with natural rhythm of the day such as sunrise and sun set etc
Whereas ritucharya, aligning daily activities with the changing seasons, is another aspect of the ayurvedic daily routine for maintaining dosha balance and ensuring longevity. focuses on adapting ones life style anand practices based on changing seasons .Each seasons has its unique doshas that intereacts or impacts both environment and body .Ritucharya provides guidelines for maintaining the balance an harmony during each seasons
The connection is literally sharing the emphasis on living with nature's harmony on a natural cycle of a day and a natural cycle of changing seasons, a core principle of the ayurvedic daily routine.
How to Implement Dinacharya into Your Life?
Wake up early is a cornerstone practice in the ayurveda daily routine to synchronize the body's internal clock with the natural cycle, promoting wellness.
Follow a oral hygiene
Attend to natural calls
Self massage
Take a shower with warm water
Engage in physical activities like exercise that suits your body
Have a healthy breakfast
Focus on work schedule
Wholesome lunch
Recharge your energy
Light dinner
Wind down your evening by calming down
Create a calming bed time for a restful sleep
Its important to note that this Guidelines may be needed to adapt based on the individual needs and preferences, especially in tailoring the ayurvedic daily routine to address specific dosha imbalances.
So, how do you realign your routine with the rhythms of nature?
Realigning your routine involves by integrating the practices that honor these rhythms to your daily routine like
Wake up early
Observe natures cycle – take time to observe natures rhythm around you
Choose your food according to the season and prefer locally grown foods
Practice meditation is a fundamental part of the ayurvedic daily routine to promote mental wellness and balance dosha.
Have ample sleep
Pay attention toy your bodys signal about the health
By practicing the above you can realign your health with rhythm of nature
Who is a healthy person according to Ayurveda?
According to ayurveda ,a healthy person is someone who possess a balance of the three doshas along with proper digestion ,optimum dhatus ,proper ojas ,elimination of toxins ,a well functioning of manas
Achieving and maintaining health involves understanding and supporting ayurvedic daily routine for optimal wellness. the unique constitution and need of each individual while living with harmony with natures cycle. Consult our Ayurveda Experts at AVCRI- The Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayam and Research Institute to know more.
Wouldn’t you rather invest in dinacharya self-care practices to promote optimal health and wellbeing, rather than allowing your health to decline?
Dinacarya plays a significant role in promoting optimal health and well being in humans .By incorporation dinacarya ,one can support physical ,mental and emotional well being through practices like proper sleep ,balanced nutrition ,exercise and managing stress