AYURVEDA LIFE STYLE

The Daily regimen

The seasons

The Shadaritus (Six Seasons) –

The year according to Ayurveda is divided into two Kalas: This division is done according to the solar position.

• Aadaan Kaala (Northern Solastice) - Aadaan means taking away
• Visarga Kaala(Southern Solastice). Visarga means giving

The Six Ritus / Seasons-The six Ritus / Seasons and their properties can be summarized in the following table -

a. Seasons and Tastes

The following table summarizes the tastes which are more powerful and hence can be included in the diet in each of the six seasons-

Seasons and Dosha vitiation

each of Vata, Pitta and Kapha naturally accumulate, vitiate and subside in particular seasons and this information forms the basis of periodic detoxification; in diseases or in health. This relation is as follows –

Sodhana and shamana ritu

In other ways these three features of kala- Sita, Ushna and varsha and each feature is having two categories of presentation sadharana( general) and pravriddha (Extensive) .

Sodhana (purification) should be done in the sadharana ritu or common season.

Seasonal regimen:

A detailed description on each Ritu, the diet and lifestyle adaptations is given in the following table –

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Seasonal regimen

A good personal conduct awards us good health and a control over senses and desires. It includes self care regime of carrying oneself appropriately.

1. Early get up from bed before sunrise (ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते उत्तिष्ठेत्)

2. Then evacuate bowel and bladder (शरीरचिन्तां निर्वर्त्य कृतशौचविधिस्ततः)

3. Then cleansing of teeth should be done with arka (Calotropis Procera) or nyagrodha(Ficus bengalensis) or khadira (Acacia catechu) or karanja (Pongamia pinnata) or kakubha (Terminalia arjuna) (अर्कन्यग्रोधखदिरकरञ्जककुभादिजम्।…. भक्षयेद्दन्तपवनम्)

4. Then sauviranjana (a variety of collyrium) should be applied daily in the eyes (सौवीरमञ्जनं नित्यं हितमक्ष्णोस्ततो भजेत्)

5. then navana (nasal oil drops), gandusa(gargling), dhuma(fume inhalation), tambula (chewing of betel leaves) should be taken accordingly [ततो नावनगण्डूषधूमताम्बूलभाग्भवेत्]

6. Then whole bodymassage specially head, palm and sole with oil should be done [अभ्यङ्गमाचरेन्नित्यम्]

7. Then exercise according to body strength should be done [व्यायामम्]

8. Then whole bodymassage with fine aromatic powder should be done [उद्वर्तनम्]

9. Then bath should be taken with warm water for the body and normal water for head[स्नानम्]

10. Beneficial food of adequate amount should be taken only after digestion of previous meal. (जीर्णो हितं मितं चाद्यात्)

11. Natural urges should not be suppressed (न वेगानीरयेद्बलात्।)

General regimen

· Keep the nails and hair clean and well trimmed; three in each fortnight or as the need be.

· Do not use dirty or uncomfortable clothes, clothes worn by others, not appropriate to the season, occasion or clothes made from artificial fibre.

· The footwear should be selected as per physical structure, geographic condition, season and the type of job.

· One should have sufficient sleep; not to over sleep or have late nights.

· To have meals at regular times.

· Do not cook or serve food in unhygienic kitchen, utensils, without having a bath, with ill-thoughts or in grief. Do not have stale food or food not appropriate to the season.

Natural urges not to be suppressed:

1. Adharaneeya Vega

1. Urine

2. Stool

3. Flatus

4. Hunger

5. Thirst

6. Sleep

7. Tears

8. Sneezing

9. Yawning

10. Coughing

11. Exertional breathlessness

12. Seminal discharge

13. Eructation / Belching.

Urges to be suppressed

2. Dharaneeya Vega

One should suppress the urges related to Manasa ( By Mind), Vacha (By Speech), Karmana (By Actions).