How to flow with the rhythms of nature ✨

Aligning ourselves with nature is the best way to get into the flow. We are nature and to truly experience a natural flow in our lives, we want to get in synch with the rhythms of nature.

Ayurveda says that due to macrocosmic (nature) and microcosmic (us) synchronicity, fluctuation of the doshas in the cosmos impacts our body rhythms. Each day we experience six phases of expansion and contraction, and during each of these one of the three doshas ( Vata, Pitta or Kapha  ) will peak, activating our individual states of physiology and psychology. Ayurveda advises a dinacharya ( a daily rhytm ) to work with this flux and outlines optimal times for these daily routines, such as waking, bathing, meditation, exercise, meals, study, work, relaxation and sleeping. The more closely we align our daily rhythms with these daily cycles of nature, the more we are in FLOW and support our health and well-being.

Lets’s look at these 6 phases we go through daily.

VATA TIME

Rising & setting of the sun

2am - 6am : dream + connect

Ayurveda recommends waking an hour and a half before sunrise during brahma muhurta, the time of the creator, to receive abundant health in body, mind, and soul. Awakening before sunrise, with everything else slowly stirring from sleep, allows the body to begin to synchronise itself to the rhythms of the sun and of nature. With the vata elements of air and ether dominating, this is an auspicious and sacred time, the best time to meditate, contemplate and access spiritual connections.

2pm - 6pm : visualise + socialise

Around this time do you ever feel in a daze, have difficulty focusing, or get that afternoon slump? This is because the light, dry, and airy qualities of vata rule the afternoon. If possible, use this time to allow your creativity to blossom, harnessing the more dreamy aspects of vata. Practices that relax and ground the being, such as meditation, yoga and pranayama are useful to counterbalance vata's effects. Plan to have your last meal of the day before 6pm, making it light and easy to digest.

PITTA TIME

Middle of the day & Middle of the night

10am - 2pm : work + digest

With the fiery energy of Pitta dominant in the macrocosm, igniting and motivating us, we feel the most focused, sharp and productive, making it the best time of the day to get work done. Midday is also when our agni, digestive fire, is the strongest, and therefore, ayurveda recommends eating the largest meal of the day at this time to satisfy our appetite from the cosmic thermal-energy rise and to ensure optimal digestion.

10pm - 2am : sleep + rejuvenate

These are the hours when the body heals, rejuvenates, and digests experiences, emotions and any remaining food from the day. If we fight the drowsiness of the kapha time and stay up past 10pm we can catch a second wind from the fiery pitta floating in the cosmos that could keep us awake until late in the night. Make it a priority to relax and wind down before 10pm so you can catch that sleepy train and benefit from these optimal hours of sleep!

KAPHA TIME 

Morning & Evening

6am - 10am : invigorate + stimulate

The dull, heavy, and earthy energy of kapha dosha prevails at this time. As we are inherently aligned with the macrocosm, our body and mind reflects these qualities and we may experience heaviness, sleepiness and even procrastination. These qualities are present especially if we sleep past 6am. To counterbalance this we must consciously undertake activities of the opposite nature at this time, such as drinking an invigorating herbal tea, eating a light meal, walking, exercising, or doing yoga.

6pm - 10pm : surrender + relax

Instead of trying to counterbalance the qualities of kapha which arise at this time, we actually want to go with the flow, begin to surrender and relax, and avoid over-stimulation. Engage in pleasurable activities by yourself or with family and friends - take a gentle evening stroll, read, practice grounding and nourishing self-care and self-love rituals, have sleep-inducing herbal teas or milks, pray, meditate or chant nighttime mantras. Prepare for rest and rebirth.

Are you in alignment with the natures rhythms or are you gong agains the nature?

Ayurveda teaches us about cause and effect - all our choices lead to a specific result. If you are experiencing symptoms ( either physical or emotional or spiritual ), it might be because you are going against nature. We can always pivot, reassess and start to prioritise our wellbeing.