Seasonal Cycles and Ayurvedic Clock
Ayurveda is inspired and directly influenced by the cadence, rhythm and cycles of nature; the sun, the moon, the stars and the seasons. These laws of nature define and impart our own internal rhythms, reinforcing the unity of the universe. In a modern culture, we are constantly being stimulated by artificial sources such as a phone, lights, and electricity. In many ways, urban living has disconnected us from the natural timing or our innate clock and intuition. Our bodies are constantly communicating to us, telling us exactly what we need. When we are distracted by stimulants or suppressors, the body can feel lost, chaotic and out of balance. In this modern culture, we have forgotten how to eat well, sleep well, or even how to move cyclically. The teachings of Ayurveda offer us the skills and knowledge to be able to flow with seasonal, lunar, and daily cycles.
The breath of life is sacred and fluid, as we change, move, process and evolve at different ages. Dividing the average lifespan into three main stage, you might be able to see a pattern of dominant energies or doshas. For example, a child between the time they are born and throughout their youth is governed by Kapha dosha. This is because the child is developing, growing and learning; all contributing to their structural and foundational skills and developments. As an individual meets their adult life, things often get busier and Pitta dosha is dominant. Career and family become priorities which require fire, drive and focus. Things start to mellow out when an individual meets older age. Vitality seems to wither, skeletal structures seem to become less resilient or stable, and the memory isn’t as sharp as it once was. This transition is governed by Vata dosha, a lighter less stable rhythm of life.
Q; What seasonal practices do you already have in place? how do they help you stay present?
Seasonal and Daily Cycles
Seasonal movement or 'Ritucharya’ is one of the most grounding anchors I can return to. It describes the cycle of the seasons and how our rituals and practices connect us closer to nature. The term also refers to the natural cycle of menstruation and conception which are governed by the moon. Each season expresses its personality and its own set of characteristics that are governed by a specific dosha. Although seasons are very different based on your geographical location, the doshas are based on the four seasons; Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring. The wisdom and practices can be applicable to you , wherever you may live, for seasonal awareness is what allows us to live more harmoniously with our internal and external environments.
The moon plays an important role, specifically for women. A lunar cycle lasts 29.5 days long and is divided into four stages; new, waxing, full and waning. During the waning and new moon, vata dosha is dominant. In the waxing and full moon, kapha dosha is dominant. Many women menstruate during the new or full moon, so it’s important to understand the dominant constitution and have the tools to find more balance and ease as you slow down and nurture your body.
Daily cycles or ‘Dinacharya’ are what allow us to feel grounded and move gracefully. Dinacharya translates to “Sun Practice” or “Day Conduct” and is perhaps the most important cycle of Ayurveda that i can emphasize. Your personal practice and connection to vikriti is crucial because it helps you stay present and make decisions that contibute to your well being and balances state of mind. Dinacharya emphasizes what you eat, how you move, and what you do every morning when you rise. It governs the entire arch of the day from the time you wake to the time you fall asleep, all based on the location of the sun, the moon and the season. Each time block of day is also governed by a specific dosha, which is important in understanding how to best maneuver throughout your day with as much ease, grounding and grace.
What is an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Clock?
Ayurveda’s seasonal and daily routines are an ancient form of wisdom that has been proven to be effective in modern science. This is known as a circadian rhythm, also known as your internal clock. The circadian rhythm shows us that certain natural processes in the body have a direct relationship with the light and dark based on an internal 24 hour time clock. Our retinas communicate to the brain and tell us when to produce certain hormones or when to feel tired or energized. With so many external stimulants, the eyes are processing light to the brain far more times than it is supposed to, essentially throwing off our natural cadence and internal coherence.
The Ayurvedic Lifestyle clock listed above, shows us the biorhythms of our bodies in relation to the sun, moon, time of day, or time of year. This innate knowledge helps us be more intuitive and live more harmoniously with ourselves and our environments. More importantly, it allows to remain in a state of balance and ease throughout all four seasons.
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Clock
6 AM - 10 AM / 6 PM - 10 PM
Kapha dosha is most dominant during these morning and evening hours, as they establish the structure or bones of the day, bringing in a strong sense of earth and water elements. The air may still be chilly, the dew drops are lightly resting on the earth, and the world feels quiet and still. You may feel excess mucus, a feeling of heaviness, or slow digestion that still needs to be stimulated. Waking up with or before the sun can ensure a lighter and more refreshed day, and eating lightly in the evenings will help you rise earlier, sleep deeper and feel more energized the following morning.
10 AM - 2 PM / 10 PM - 2 AM
Pitta dosha is most dominant during these hours, especially when the sun is at its highest, and our inner fire is at its strongest. These hours are the best times for eating the largest meal of the day, to schedule meetings and do most of your busy or brain work. The nigh time pitta dosha is our ‘second wind’ which can occur if you stay up too late. Sleeping early allows us to fall asleep better and have a consistent sleeping schedule.
2 AM - 6 AM / 2 PM - 6 PM
The early mornings and early afternoons are governed by vata dosha, the air and ether elements. These are great times to be creative; let yourself dream, visualize and create whatever your heart desires. Vata dosha invites a sense of lightless and mental breathing room, making it a great time to meditate or practice yoga asana. In the afternoons you may feel fatigued and in need of a second stimulant to keep going, but instead I encourage you to take a short nap, meditate, or rest your mind and body.
