Dr Arya Describes Dinacharya

Dr. Arya Describes Dinacharya 

Dr. Arya is doing a series of articles that inform us all about the valuable daily practices called Dinacharya. 

Among the classical Ayurveda textbooks, the one close to my heart is Ashtanga Hridaya. It is written by Acharya Vagbhata. In Ashtangahridaya textbook, the second chapter deals with Dinacharya or the daily regimen. From the viewpoint of the scholar, Vagbhata lets look at the art of daily regimen with Ayurveda.

 (Dina in Sanskrit means day, and charya in Sanskrit means regimen)

 Primary charya or regimen mentioned is 'ideal time to wake up' is

Brahma Muhurta.

 Time to wake up - It is advised to be awake at Brahma muhurta ( means 45 minutes before sunrise). Though it might seem practically difficult to wake up at such an early hour (around 5 am in the morning) the physical and mental benefits you obtain by waking up early is permanent and amazing.

Have you ever thought why the Ayurveda classics ask you to wake up early?

The fact is when you wake up in the early morning, before sunrise the predominant dosha according to time is Vata. Vata is powerful and an active dosha. You can perform your activities with more energy if you wake up at Vata period of the day. But if you are waking up late, the next dosha cycle of the day is Kapha. Kapha is generally at a slow pace, and you will have a feeling of heaviness and drowsiness if you wake up in the Kapha period of the day.

Also, the morning environment is generally of peace and serenity. If you want to wake up early, you will always try to sleep at an early hour. This helps in regulating a proper biological rhythm in your day to day activities. An improper lifestyle is the major cause of most of the diseases like diabetes, obesity, insomnia etc. Therefore a proper biological rhythm ensures health to the body and mind.

• Devote some time in the early hours for yoga or meditation. Practice sun salutations or any meditation technique which nourishes the mind.
• The environment is devoid of any types of pollution at this time. Enjoy the cold breeze or chirping of birds and refresh yourself at this early hour.

 Ashtanga Hridaya says - if a person wakes up in Brahma Muhurta his health will always be maintained. It also says one who wakes up at an early hour gains beauty, praise, intelligence, money, health and longevity of life.

Body Clocks

Have you noticed newborn babies? They naturally wake up in the early morning hours. Our body is tuned in such a way by mother nature. But we try to change the rhythm or pattern given by nature which is one of the major causes of all the lifestyle disorders. The birds, animals and those close to nature wake up at brahma muhurta.

Gradual Changes

If you are a person who wakes up at 9 am in the morning, don't force yourself to wake up at 5 am after reading this article. But gradually try to develop a habit of waking up early. For example, sleep half an hour early than your usual routine, and try getting up at 8.30 am on the first day. Follow this routine for a week. Then gradually make that to 8 am. Likewise gradually adapt to an early hour waking up a habit.

Remember the slight difficulty you are facing initially can bring about a peaceful, healthier future for you.

 Dr. Arya Krishna B.A.M.S.

Ayurveda Consulting Physician & Educational Co-ordinator 

BE MIND BODY SKIN

Subject Matter Expert

At Home With Ayurveda (UK)