Taking time for self-care each morning will allow you to feel and be healthy & balanced. It also draws greater clarity and productivity to you throughout the day. People often think that they don't have time to do anything additional in the morning, but if you wake up an hour earlier and dedicate this time to a daily practice, you will feel more energized throughout the day and actually feel less tired!
As the seasons change, so will your morning practice. For example, in the winter months we will want to heat up internally, as opposed to the summer when we want to do more cooling pranayama and asana flows to feel more balanced. This practice will be ideal for most people during the summer months, or season of Pitta that we are entering into now.
Daily Balancing Routine for Pitta:
As the seasons change, so will your morning practice. For example, in the winter months we will want to heat up internally, as opposed to the summer when we want to do more cooling pranayama and asana flows to feel more balanced. This practice will be ideal for most people during the summer months, or season of Pitta that we are entering into now.
Daily Balancing Routine for Pitta:
- Wake by 6 am (4:30 - 6:00 ideally)
- Scrape tongue & brush teeth
- Drink a glass of warm water to stimulate the elimination of toxins
- Sitting grounded, practice Shitali Pranayama (demonstration below)
- 20 minute cooling morning asana practice (video to follow). Alternatively, a slow, flowing movement like dancing.
- Meditate 10 min - 1 hour and set intention for day. Something positive, peaceful or whatever embodies what you would like to bring into your day. Suggestions: "Every breath I take fills me with calm and ease" or "With every movement I am reminded to be mindful, experiencing all that this moment has to offer". You may try internally visualizing cool blues and greens (maybe the Caribbean sea comes to mind), or even softly gazing at a mandala with these cool colours.
- Journal, or free-style write, with your intention for the day in mind. Set the stage for a positive, open-to-possibilities mind space. Invite contentment and peace into your day.
- Cool shower
- Massage body with cooling oils, such as coconut, sunflower or olive
- Eat a cool breakfast (try avoiding sugar) - high protein smoothie is ideal
* Throughout the day, remind yourself of your intention; reciting it like an affirmation mantra is helpful to stay on your purpose.
* Invite mindfulness into your meals, including food selection, and tasks. It is natural for the mind to wander; if you notice this, just gently draw your attention and awareness back to the present moment and experience.
* Contemplating and journaling about gratitude at the end of the day allows you to actually feel grateful and focus on that good vibration, allowing you to manifest more of that and to rest with ease and contentment. Try challenging yourself to think of different things that you are grateful for; be specific and detailed and even invite yourself to find gratitude in things that may be difficult or challenging throughout your day, knowing that each experience offers benefit in the way of a lesson, an opportunity for strength or mindfulness.