It’s September, and it sure feels like fall!
With the changing seasons, we are reminded that its important to align ourselves with the Universal Rhythms of Nature, known to western science as the Circadian Rhythms.
Whether we pay attention to it or not, every cell and organ system in our body is synchronized with the universal rhythms of nature. This includes the changing of the seasons, as we’re experiencing now with cooler temps and shorter days.
Although our senses lead us to perceive that we are separate from the world around us, we are constantly exchanging energy and information with the environment. And so when our internal rhythms are in sync with those of the environment, we experience well-being.
Life moves in recurring cycles of rest and activity. Every cell, organ, and system in our body-mind operates according to predictable rhythms, with periods of dynamic activity and times of quietness.
These same patterns of rest and activity are found within the cycles of nature. The sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes. The tides approach and recede.
In the same way, the fires of our digestion rise and fall within our mind-body system.
And our hormones fluctuate according to a 24-hour rhythm.
Our moods, mental agility, and motor skills cycle through relatively predictable highs and lows throughout the day.
As the earth revolves around the sun, we cycle through the seasons.
And yes, over the course of our lifespan, we also move through seasons—the spring reflects our youth, summer our adulthood, and autumn the season of our older years.
In this day and age it’s easy to ignore the natural rhythms of our body and instead be guided instead by habit and convenience. We tend to ignore our internal signals and rely on external ones.
But the result is often compromised health, fatigue, and the accumulation of toxicity in our body-mind!
According to both Ayurveda, and western scientists studying Circadian Rhythms, it’s important to pay attention to these rhythms!
Let’s look at what this means for our daily routines, also known as our Dinacharya. How can we design them with purpose, to promote health and reduce anything that may be harmful?
Ideally we would sleep for 7 – 8 hours, between roughly 10 pm to just before 6 am.
Your Dinacharya then includes the various habits that you want to practice in sync with the circadian rhythms of nature, and our bodies right down to the cellular level.
The ideal waking time is around 6 am, or approximately the time of the sunrise. Awaken without an alarm clock, if possible, since alarm clocks can be a jarring way to wake up.
Getting up early ensures that you will benefit from the qualities of lightness and activity that are present in the environment in the early morning.
Do you ever notice that if you wake up later, around 9 or 10, that you may feel more sluggish and have difficulty getting going?
Likely when you awaken you’ll start with your morning ablutions.
You may also want to drink a glass of warm water with a slice of lemon or a splash of apple cider vinegar as this signals your body to eliminate toxins by stimulating the gastro-intestinal reflex. And you may find it works best to do this before meditation so your body will be relaxed and comfortable for meditation.
But what happens next?
Suggested practices for early morning include:
- Get outside in the sunshine first thing, and get the light directly into your eyes. (Remember this is early morning when the rays are at a low angle and not as strong as later in the day.)
- Breathwork (pranayama): The practice of breathwork will activate the body’s relaxation response and engage its natural self-repair and healing mechanisms.
- Meditation: Many meditators find that the early morning is a time that’s conducive to a deep meditation, as the morning coincides with the body’s quieter rhythms. As you develop a morning meditation routine, you will find it gives you the brightness and alertness to enjoy the rest of your day.
- Move your body in various ways – mobility and stretching, walking, strength training plus sports and other forms of play that you enjoy. Getting some exercise, outdoors if possible, is a great way to get your energy flowing!
We know that to successfully integrate new habits, it’s usually best to start small, and choose the ones that resonate with you for now. Then add in new practices gradually, with those that will make the largest impact on your life.
Take it slowly and you’ll look forward to every morning for a practice which will support you in sustaining everything else!
And yet developing a sustainable habit to practice each morning is challenging!
The solution?
Join my new group every Sunday this fall for:
Your Morning Practice!
This group practice will teach you the components of a gentle yet effective morning practice, and the recommended home practices through the week will provide accountability to develop your “practice muscle!”
Starts September 15th, 8 – 9 am EDT