If you practice yoga but haven’t yet tried incorporating aspects of Ayurveda into your daily rhythm, I’d like to make it easy for you! Ayurveda is not an all-or-nothing science. You can start small, choosing one or two things that have the potential to make a huge impact on the way you feel. I started practicing yoga 20 years ago, and along the way these are some of the Ayurvedic habits that have been most impactful on my practice (and my life).
Again, don’t feel like you need to implement all six right away. Pick one or two that seem doable, and good habits will snowball from there over time.
Practice Regularly
You knew this was going to be high on the list, didn’t you? Yoga practice is part of Dinacarya, or Ayurvedic daily routine. Commit to doing some yoga practice every day, just as you commit to brushing your teeth or washing your face. You are much more likely to sustain a yoga practice over your lifetime-- and reap the benefits-- if you build it into your routine. This doesn’t necessitate a two-hour practice, or even an hour. Ten minutes can be hugely impactful when done as part of a consistent morning routine.
Avoid Daytime Napping
Ayurveda does not recommend napping in general because it can increase Kapha (the dosha combining the earth and water elements), making the body and mind feel heavy, dull and slow. If you are constantly needing to nap after your yoga practice, consider that you may be doing too much; scaling back may help. Note that there are some exceptions to this, and a short nap in the summertime can be beneficial, especially when you stay relatively upright (think comfy chair, rather than bed nap). Very young children and the elderly also get a nap-pass.
Lunch is the Biggest Meal
Your agni, or digestive fire, is strongest mid-day (just like the sun). Take advantage and eat a hearty lunch and a smaller dinner, when the agni is naturally lower. It may take some getting used to, but over time this will optimize your digestion, give you better sleep and help you feel lighter in your yoga practice in the AM. If it’s hard to plan your big meal for mid-day, consider simply avoiding heavier, harder to digest foods (like meat and cheese) in the evenings.
Practice on an Empty Stomach
In yoga postures, we bend, twist, squeeze, and compress the organs-- it's better that there is no food in there working on being digested. This goes for large quantities of water too, which is why it's best not to drink water during your practice. The process of digestion moves energy downwards, and yoga practice moves energy up-- the result of practicing on a full stomach is that both digestion and the cultivation of prana are impaired. This is one of the main reasons that Ashtanga practice is done first thing in the morning. A little water (or, ahem, coffee) before you practice is fine. But skip the big gulps until you’re done.
Sleep and Wake at the Same Time Each Day
The name of the game in Ayurveda is routine. A good sleep routine (same time each night, a pre-bed ritual that includes being off screens well before lights out, and waking at the same time daily) is hugely beneficial for settling the nervous system and getting good quality sleep, both of which help your asana practice to be fruitful and enjoyable.
Opposites Balance
The saying goes, "Like increases like, and opposites balance." When you approach your yoga practice (even a set sequence like Ashtanga), remember this. If your mind is super active and busy, find a little more stillness by holding postures a bit longer. If it's the hottest part of summer, dial your effort down a notch to keep cool. If you're feeling slow or dull, move a little faster. Yoga practice is an opportunity to check in with yourself daily, notice what needs balancing, and cultivate the opposite in order to find that balance.
I hope these tips for incorporating Ayurveda into your yoga practice and daily routine are helpful! Let me know which tips are most useful, and if you are interested in personalized information about how to establish good Ayurvedic habits, you can schedule a consultation here.