You should awaken each day at the same time with the sunrise or shortly before, around 6:00 am. There is an energy that comes with rising with the sun, and waking at the same time each day gets your body in a rhythm so you can start your day with grace and ease. Be sure to set an intention for the day upon awakening.

Each morning you should be having a comfortable bowel movement. This is an important sign of healthy digestion. To help develop a healthy pattern of this, drink a glass of room temperature water, possibly with a squeeze of lemon, upon awakening. After “fasting” all night, this is a gentle way to ignite the digestive fire, your Agni. Taking Triphala in the evening will also help support healthy elimination, and nourishes and rejuvenates the tissues.

Every morning before brushing and flossing, your tongue should be scrapped. A tongue scraper removes the coating on your tongue, which Ayurveda calls ama (toxins or undigested foods). This practice also freshens the breath, improves digestion, and invigorates the taste buds.

Oil pulling is a practice that helps strengthen the teeth, gums and jaws, and kills harmful bacteria in the mouth. To do this, oil (typically sesame or coconut) should be swished in the mouth for 5-15 minutes and then spit out.

Every other morning your nasal passages should be cleaned using a neti pot and a solution of warm salt water (approx. ¼ tsp of salt per half cup of water). In this process, the solution enters one nostril and flows out the other, keeping the mouth open and head tilted for good flow. This practice promotes good sinus health, can reduce the effect of allergies, and helps keep the head and mind feeling clear.

Using a dry brush or silk gloves, your entire body should be brushed. Starting at the feet with strokes moving towards the heart. This supports circulation and stimulates the lymphatic system. It also brushes away dead skin cells, leaving the skin feeling smooth.

Warm oil should be applied and massaged into your body daily. This should be done in a loving manor; Abhyanga translates to “loving hands”. This practice lubricates the joints, detoxifies the body, increases circulation, and calms the nervous system. Let the oil soak into your skin for up to 30 minutes, and then follow with a bath or shower, gently rinsing to remove any excess oil.

A regular movement and meditation practice keeps your body strong and flexible, and keeps your mind clear and peaceful. Try yoga, gentle exercise, Qigong, or going for a walk. Meditation can be done sitting silently, with soft music, or follow a guided meditation. Just 5 minutes every morning will make a difference! Be sure to practice your movement or meditation out in nature whenever possible.