As a quick refresher, in the earlier blog on Doshas, we explored the concept of the three doshas associated with the human body.
Vata is represented by air and space, Pita by fire & water and Kapha is grounded in earth and water. In the same way, we are each made of a certain percentage of all three doshas.
Likewise, each part of the day is influenced by doshas. In this blog let’s explore the nuances of each prevailing dosha beginning from the start of the day, to help you take charge of your day and prioritise your health better.
The reality is that in today’s modern world punctuated by hectic lifestyles and every demanding challenge of work-life it may not seem feasible to align to an Ayurvedic clock.
Making that effort towards a gradual shift however is rewarding to your health and keeps various ailments including heart burns, insomnia, depression and anxiety at bay.
Matching meal periods, sleep cycle and day to day activities in harmony with the Ayurvedic clock helps restore balance and promotes optimal health in the long run.
The Ayurvedic clock is essentially our body clock. Typically, in a 24 hr. day cycle we experience each dosha twice.
According to Ayurveda, there is a perfect ideal time for every activity we do during the day. The Ayurvedic Clock captures the time for eating, sleeping, working or even thinking/introspecting.
It is linked to how our genes & hormones operate and demonstrates a strong link between our body’s energy and the energy of the doshas (Vata, Pitta & Kapha).
Kapha Time: 6:00 – 10:00 am & 6.00-10.00 pm
Kapha dosha is most dominant during the early morning hours and late evening hours. This is the time period you usually feel sleepy & experience more relaxed energy.
It is best recommended to start your morning before the Kapha time (before 6.00 am) because once the sun is up you will experience the dullness and heaviness of the day.
Waking up before sunrise will allow you to benefit from the goodness of Vata energy to support your meditation practice.
This encourages a certain lightness throughout the day. In the evenings from 6 pm onwards is a great time to slowly start unwinding and settling in.
Falling asleep during the Kapha time is easier since that’s when your body is grounded and in a restful state. A great ritual to unwind is a hot shower, sipping on warm spiced milk, a gentle foot & head massage or calming meditation that gradually allows you to fall asleep.
Pitta Time: 10:00 – 2:00 am & 10:00 pm – 2:00 am
Pitta is the epitome of productivity and constructive use of time. It’s the time of the day when you feel most productive and is defined as the beginning of the workday.
It’s also the time when your digestive fire is the strongest, so it’s best to eat your heaviest mid-day/lunch meal during this time of the day as per Ayurveda and a light meal during the evening hours so your body can finish digestion before bedtime.
Most often people find it hard to sleep post 10 pm and this leads to food cravings. It’s best to prepone bedtime to before 10 pm to resist that burst of energy during the Pita hours of the night.
Vata Time: 2:00 am to 6:00 am & 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Vata time is for creativity and meditation. The dosha itself is characterized as light, airy and dry. While fast asleep during your deepest time of rest it’s thought to be the most sacred time to meditate.
Waking up during Vata time means you’re rising with the sun and can start the day with calmness and expansive energy.
This is the best time to re-create and regenerate yourself. This is an ideal time to meditate, read, perform intellectual activities, plan business strategies etc.
It is the ideal time to connect more easily to stillness and peace when there is less activity outside and things are quiet and calm.
Research has proven that during this period the entire body is in a conducive atmosphere and there is a natural production of melatonin (the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle).
Summary:
Knowledge of this Ayurvedic routine has been around for thousands of years However, our current lifestyle has made it difficult for us to comply with natures rhythms.
These rhythms are not rules invented by Ayurveda, they are the basic needs of our body and mind.
By understanding your doshas and how it functions, you can better understand how the energy around you affects your constitution and inner being by adapting to an Ayurvedic clock routine to improve your overall well being.
