16 Daily Rituals: Dinacharya in Ayurveda
- Belinda Baer
- Oct 24, 2023
- 15 min read
Updated: Jan 4, 2024
Daily rituals, or Dinacharya, in Ayurveda, are essential practices that help individuals establish a harmonious routine for their well-being.
These rituals are not merely a series of tasks but a way to align with the natural rhythms of the body and the universe.
By following Dinacharya, individuals can cultivate a sense of balance, clarity, and vitality in their lives.
In this post:
Why Practice Dinacharya in Ayurveda?
When these rituals of Dinacharya in Ayurveda are conscientiously practiced in the morning, they have a profound impact on the rest of the day.
Starting the day with a set routine allows one to ground oneself, set intentions, and prepare both the body and mind for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
It is like laying a strong foundation upon which the day can unfold smoothly and productively.
Some common morning rituals in Ayurveda include tongue scraping to remove toxins, oil pulling for oral health, dry brushing to stimulate the lymphatic system, and self-massage with warm oil to nourish the skin and promote relaxation.
These practices not only benefit the physical body but also have a significant impact on mental clarity and emotional well-being.
Moreover, Dinacharya extends beyond the morning routine.
It encompasses practices throughout the day that are in alignment with the body's natural rhythms.
From eating meals at regular times to winding down in the evening with calming activities, each aspect of Dinacharya contributes to overall health and vitality.
Vata, the dosha composed of air and ether, is so irregular that it needs structure to give it support.
Vata is the dosha that goes out of balance the easiest for all of us all of the time, no matter your constitution, therefore, even pitta and kapha individuals will benefit from having daily rituals in place.
By incorporating these daily rituals into your life, you not only create a structure for your day but also cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.
Through the wisdom of Ayurveda, the simple acts of Dinacharya can become powerful tools for enhancing your well-being and living a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Cleansing and Nourishing the Senses with Dinacharya in Ayurveda
Among other things, Dinacharya in Ayurveda cares for the senses: hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell.
When the senses are cared for and used properly, they support stability in the mind.
When the senses are over-stimulated, they create instability in the mind.
To support the ears and hearing, Ayurveda recommends oiling the ears with sesame oil.
To support the sense of touch, abhyanga, self-massage with warm oil, is advised.
To support the sense of sight, splashing cool waters in the eyes upon waking is a simple way to benefit the eyes.
To support the sense of taste, brushing the teeth with bitter and astringent herbs, scraping the tongue, and rinsing with sesame or coconut oil is indicated.
To support the sense of smell, oiling the nose with nasya oil, a special oil prepared with herbs should be performed daily.
List of Daily Rituals: Dinacharya in Ayurveda
Your individual constitution (prakriti), your current state of balance (vikriti), and the season may all affect the specifics of the list of Dinacharya below.
You may find this list overwhelming, but please don't feel the need to begin implementing them all tomorrow.
Pick one or two that speak to you and start experimenting with them.
See how they affect your body and mind, then in a few weeks come back to the list and add one or two more rituals.
You can find a full list of these rituals in the Ashtanga Hridayam, an ancient text of Ayurveda, in Sutrasthana, Chapter 2.
1. Rising Early
Waking up before sunrise is the most auspicious time to awaken in the morning according to Ayurveda.
The sages tell us that rising early is the most effective action to maintain health and longevity.
Waking up before 6 am (or sunrise) is preferable because the time from 3 am to 6 am is a period known as Brahma Mahurta, an auspicious time for studying and obtaining knowledge.
This studying and obtaining knowledge can either be through meditation and the study of the self, or through obtaining knowledge from spiritual books or books of knowledge.
Western science tells us that waking before or even with the sun and getting morning sun exposure also helps to regulate your circadian rhythms leading to better sleep at night.
2. Evacuating Wastes
Evacuation of your bladder and bowels should happen first thing in the morning.
This helps to calm the mind.
If you have difficulty evacuating the bowels first thing in the morning, you can try two easy practices:
Start your morning with a glass of warm water with lemon and honey.
Take Triphala in the evenings before bed.
Triphala is a powder of 3 dried fruits, Amalki, Haritaki, and Bibhitaki.
Taken in pill or powder form, Triphala helps to tone the colon leading to better bowel movements over time.
Kottakkal, a company I use for myself and with my clients, offers both Triphaladi Powder and Triphala Tablets, and Triphala Ghee.
Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of the powder to warm water and drink 1 hour before bed, or take 2 tablets with warm water 1 hour before bed.
If Triphala seems to be drying for you, especially in the fall and early winter (the Vata dosha time of year), you may want to try Triphala ghee.
This is a special preparation in which the herbs are cooked into the ghee, infusing the ghee with the benefits of Triphala.
The ghee takes the Triphala directly to your tissues and offers more lubrication than Triphala powder or tablets.
3. Drinking Water
One of the easy practices of Dinacharya in Ayurveda is to drink water first thing in the morning to clear out the digestive system for the day.
Ayurveda says that 1-2 glasses of water should be kept in a copper vessel (room temperature or warm) and consumed first thing in the morning.
Or you could drink a glass of warm water with lemon or lime and honey.
Or even just plain warm water.
Any of these options clear out your system to get your body ready to digest the first meal of the day.
4. Cleansing Teeth
Brush the teeth, preferably with a natural toothpaste.
Ayurveda tells us to avoid using sweet toothpaste because the sweet taste can loosen the gums and teeth.
Instead, toothpastes with astringent, bitter, and pungent tastes are recommended to tighten the gums and teeth.
You can make a DIY toothpaste by combining astringent, bitter, and pungent herbs in equal proportions along with a small amount of cloves and honey (honey is considered astringent, not sweet in Ayurveda)
Here are some herbs to try in your DIY toothpaste:
black pepper
long pepper
camphor
turmeric
neem
pomegranate seeds
If you're not into DIY, this is a traditional tooth powder from Kottakkal Ayurveda that you could try:
Or you could try this Ayurvedic toothpaste in a tube from Himalaya Botanique with neem and pomegranate available on Amazon.
And don't forget to floss!
5. Cleansing the Tongue
Use a tongue scraper made of silver, copper, or stainless steel (but not plastic since the plastic can hold toxins).
While this cleans the tongue, it will also stimulate the digestive tract and improve the digestive fire.
Scrape the tongue 8 times (one for each dhatu, or tissue in the body, plus ojas) from front to back and rinse with cool water afterward.
Be gentle while scraping the tongue so you don't damage your taste buds.
If there is a coating on the tongue, you won't be able to remove it all with the tongue scraper.
This coating is an indication of a build-up of undigested toxins in the body (ama) and it can't all be removed with the tongue scraper.
Banyan Botanicals also offers a tongue scraper/cleaner that you can find on Amazon with free delivery.
6. Cleansing the Mouth
Rinse the mouth using cold or hot water, cold milk, or sesame oil.
These substances are more gentle than mouthwash and help to clear back bacteria while maintaining the good, necessary bacteria in the mouth.
Hot water is cleansing for the teeth, mouth, gums, and tongue.
Cold milk swished in the mouth has a cooling and cleansing effect and is useful for inflammation of the stomach wall
Swishing sesame oil in the mouth is both cleansing and strengthening for the tongue, gums, teeth, mouth, and voice. Oil is naturally antibacterial and good for receding gums. Use a good quality, organic sesame oil, such as this one from Banyan Botanicals available on Amazon with free delivery.
7. Cleansing the Nasal Passages
The nose is the gateway to the head and brain according to Ayurveda.
Cleansing and nourishing the nasal passages helps clear debris, lubricate mucous membranes, and soothe the mind.
Netti pot
Netti pot is an excellent ritual for clearing mucus, allergens, and pathogens from the nasal passages.
Netti can be a little drying for some people, so either follow this with nasya oil (below) or skip this and just do nasya oil to support the nostrils.
Do not use a Netti pot if there is an infection or if you have yellow or green mucus.
Rinse your nose with warm water and sea salt using a netti pot like this one by Ancient Secrets sold on Amazon.
Experiment with the ratio of salt to water to find the right amount for you.
Begin with 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt and adjust from there.
Both too much salt and too little salt can cause burning in the sinuses, but just the right amount of salt will feel soothing.
Bend forward at the waist over a sink and tilt the head slightly so that one nostril is slightly higher than the other.
Pour the water into the higher nostril and let the water flow out of the lower nostril.
I've had several different Netti pots over the years.
I would suggest avoiding bacteria-holding plastic and instead opt for ceramic or metal.
My favorite Netti pot for traveling is made of metal like this one from Health and Yoga on Amazon.
Nasya oil
Oiling the nasal passages creates a trap for allergens, preventing them from entering the sinus cavities.
It lubricates the mucus membranes so they do not become dry and irritated.
According to Ayurveda, the oiling of the nostrils helps to nourish the brain.
Plain sesame or ghee is fine, or use a medicated oil or ghee.
Use at mid-day for Pitta diseases and at night for Vata diseases.
In the winter, use at noon, and in the summer or heat, use at night.
Insert 2-8 drops of oil into each nostril while reclining on your back with your head tilted back.
Massage the sinuses as you sniff the oil/ghee up into your sinuses.
Kottakkal Ayurveda offers Anu Oil in a convenient squeezable container.
Another nice option, especially in the summer, is Brahmi Ghritam (ghee) available from Kottakkal Ayurveda.
You may need to transfer this into a dropper bottle and warm it slightly before using it to liquefy it.
According to Ayurveda, cleansing the nasal passages maintains the clarity of the sense organs, prevents impairment of the organs of sight and smell, and safeguards against premature baldness and graying of the hair.
8. Caring for the Eyes
Cleanse the eyes by rinsing with fresh water or spritzing with pure rose water like this one from SVA Organics on Amazon.
Another way to care for the eyes is to protect them from over-stimulation.
Avoid harsh lights, violent images, and excessive screen time.
Trataka, a meditation involving gazing at a candle flame, helps to soothe and strengthen the eyes.
The eyes are our most delicate sense organs and need gentle treatment.
9. Caring for the Ears
Oiling the ears is a practice of Dinacharya in Ayurveda that is particularly soothing to Vata dosha.
The ears, being a delicate and intricate part of the body, are particularly vulnerable to the accumulation of Vata dosha, one of the three primary energies in Ayurveda.
Vata dosha is characterized by qualities of dryness, coldness, lightness, and movement, and when it becomes imbalanced, it can lead to various physical and emotional disturbances.
By incorporating the practice of oiling and massaging the ears into your self-care routine, you can effectively pacify and reduce excess Vata dosha in this area.
The application of warm oil not only nourishes the tissues of the ears but also helps to counteract the cold and dry nature of Vata, bringing about a sense of grounding and stability.
Furthermore, the act of massaging the ears can have a profound impact on the nervous system.
The gentle pressure and rhythmic motion involved in ear massage stimulate the nerve endings, promoting relaxation and releasing tension.
This, in turn, can help to alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, worry, fear, insecurity, and loneliness, all of which are common manifestations of Vata imbalance.
Overall, by caring for your ears through regular oiling and massage, you not only support their physical health but also contribute to a sense of emotional well-being and balance.
This simple yet powerful practice can be a valuable addition to your holistic self-care routine, helping you to harmonize the energies within your body and mind.
To oil your ears, dip the tip of the little finger into a small amount of warm sesame oil, insert the finger into the ear, rotate it around the aperture, and massage the entire earlobe.
You can even gently tug on the top, bottom, and back of the earlobe.
Experience the amazing benefits of Athreya Herbs' incredible Healthy Ear Oil!
10. Garshana
Once or twice a week, Dinacharya in Ayurveda recommends the body being dry-brushed with Garshana Gloves, raw silk gloves, before oiling and bathing to help stimulate lymphatic flow.
I always caution clients to remember to oil after using these gloves to prevent the rough, dry, and light qualities of this practice from upsetting vata dosha.
Brush from the extremities to the heart to assist the flow of the lymphatic system back to the veins near the heart. I use the gloves below on myself and in my treatments with clients.
I use these Garshana Gloves that I found on Amazon.
11. Abhyanga: Self-Massage with Warm Oil
“The body of one who uses oil regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age.” Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, SU 5/88-89.
One of the most powerful practices of Dinacharya in Ayurveda is self-massage with warm oil.
Ayurveda tells us that regular oil massage will remove excess fat from your skin leaving it glossy and soft.
It will strengthen your skin while protecting it from disease.
It improves immunity and stimulates the lymph system to aid in the removal of wastes.
Oil massage can begin to release repressed emotions especially when massaged in the opposite direction of the lay of the hair.
Crystals of unresolved emotions become de-crystalized and dissolve with continued use.
It works directly on the lymphatic, circulatory, and nervous systems of the body.
Regular head massage with oil helps prevent premature hair loss or graying of hair and helps provide a sound sleep.
Massaging oil into the feet helps improve eyesight, reduces cracks in the skin of the feet, and helps to strengthen the reproductive system.
Abhayanga should be performed on an empty stomach and avoided during menstruation.
Get ready to dive deeper into the wonderful world of Abhyanga with this exciting post:
Some companies that I highly recommend for beautiful, traditional Ayurvedic oils are:
12. Swedana (Sweating)
Sweating plays a crucial role in detoxifying the body by helping to liquefy and release the accumulated doshas, which are believed to be the root cause of various health issues.
Sweating by the body after oiling not only aids in melting the sticky and adherent doshas but also serves to open up the pores, allowing for the elimination of toxins and impurities through the sweat glands.
Access to a steam room can enhance this detoxification process by creating a moist sweat that further facilitates the expulsion of toxins from the body.
Even a hot shower after oiling can create a small amount of sweat to help purify the tissues and pacify Vata dosha.
Incorporating the practice of sweating after oiling into your routine can not only aid in detoxification but also promote relaxation, improve circulation, and boost the body's natural healing mechanisms.
It is a holistic approach to cleansing and rejuvenating the body, aligning with the principles of Ayurveda to achieve balance and harmony in mind, body, and spirit.
13. Exercise/Yoga
Ayurveda recommends exercising to 1/2 of your capacity with some sweat in the armpits, the forehead, and the middle of the back.
If you sweat more than that, you may be overdoing the exercise and depleting the body according to the classics that describe Dinacharya in Ayurveda.
If this is the case, cut back to 1/2 of your capacity, for example, if you can bike for an hour, but are exhausted, then bike for 1/2 an hour.
You can slowly work your way back up to an hour of bike riding as your body builds up strength over time.
If too much exercise is done, Vata dosha can become aggravated and imbalanced no matter your constitution.
Vata constitutions should do light, gentle forms of exercise, Pitta should do moderate exercise, and Kapha should do vigorous exercise.
14. Your Daily Shower or Bath
Bathing is not just a physical act but a ritual that holds significant importance for overall well-being according to Dinacharya in Ayurveda.
It is believed that bathing helps to maintain cleanliness not only on a physical level but also on a spiritual and energetic level, and by cleansing the body, one can rid themselves of negative energies and impurities that may have accumulated.
The temperature of the water used during a bath is also crucial according to Ayurveda principles.
While warm to hot water can be beneficial for the body, it is recommended to use cooler water for washing the head.
This practice is thought to help balance the body's energies and promote a sense of calmness and clarity.
For individuals with a predominant Pitta dosha, which is associated with fire and heat, lukewarm or cool baths are especially beneficial, particularly during the summer months to help cool down the body.
After the cleansing ritual, anointing the body with natural essential oils is a common practice in Ayurveda.
Essential oils are believed to have therapeutic properties that can further enhance the benefits of bathing.
Anima Mundi is a well-regarded essential oil company known for its high-quality and natural products that can be used for aromatherapy, massage, or skincare routines.
By incorporating these oils into your post-bath routine, you can nourish your skin, calm your mind, and uplift your spirit, creating a harmonious and rejuvenating experience for both body and soul.
Be sure to apply essential oils in a carrier oil (for example sesame, olive, or coconut) so that the essential oils aren't too intense for your skin.
15. Eating a Wholesome Diet
When it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, prioritizing wholesome and organic foods is highly recommended and is part of Dinacharya in Ayurveda.
Opting for organic options whenever possible can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and pesticides.
These foods are typically richer in essential nutrients and free from genetically manipulated ingredients, making them a better choice for your overall well-being.
It is also advisable to steer clear of foods that have been genetically modified, chemically treated, or irradiated.
These processes can compromise the nutritional value of the food and may have negative implications for your health in the long run.
In addition, being mindful of the source of your animal products is crucial.
Choosing animal products that are free from hormones, drugs, and pesticides can help you avoid potential health risks associated with these additives.
Furthermore, tailoring your meals according to your body type can enhance your overall health and well-being.
Understanding your body's unique needs and adjusting your diet accordingly can promote better digestion and nutrient absorption.
Establishing a healthy eating routine is also important.
Consuming three meals a day is generally recommended, with the largest meal ideally being around noon when your digestive system is most active.
Allowing adequate time (3-4 hours) between meals is essential for proper digestion and nutrient assimilation.
Practicing mindful eating habits, such as lying on your left side after meals to aid digestion and taking a short walk outside, can further support your digestive processes.
Integrating meditation into your daily routine, especially in the late afternoon, can help promote relaxation and reduce stress levels, creating a more balanced approach to your overall health.
Lastly, when it comes to dinner, opting for a light meal and having it at least 2 hours before bedtime can improve digestion and prevent discomfort during sleep.
Following these eating guidelines can contribute to a healthier lifestyle and enhance your overall well-being.
16. Sleep
“Obesity and emaciation, happiness and sorrow, strength and weakness, virility and impotence, knowledge and ignorance, life and death are all dependent on adequate and inadequate sleep.” (ChSu 21:36)
Proper and adequate sleep, a key practice in Dinacharya in Ayurveda, leads to the body's tissues and doshas remaining in a balanced state of health, both physically and mentally.
Staying awake at night leads to an increase in Vata and Pitta.
Common results are lack of concentration, constipation, giddiness, weakness, hyperacidity, and burning of eyes, hands, and feet.
A healthy person should generally not sleep during the day, except in summer when the days are longer and generally hotter.
Otherwise, sleep during the day tends to increase Kapha dosha.
You don't want to miss this amazing post on Sleep Rituals as Dinacharya in Ayurveda!
Dinacharya in Ayurveda
Establishing a daily ritual, Dinacharya in Ayurveda, can be a powerful way to enhance your overall well-being.
By incorporating practices such as caring for the senses, eating meals at regular times, waking up early, or getting good sleep into your routine, you are creating a framework that nurtures both your body and mind.
These rituals serve as anchors in your day, providing structure and stability amidst the chaos of daily life.
Engaging in these rituals consistently can lead to a profound impact on your physical and mental health.
Furthermore, the cumulative effects of these rituals over time can be transformative.
They can help you cultivate a sense of mindfulness, resilience, and inner peace.
By prioritizing your well-being through these daily practices, you are investing in your long-term health and happiness.
If you would like to learn how to personalize and incorporate these daily rituals into your life, schedule a consultation.
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