Swadhyaya is a sanskrit word that means "self-study." It is one of yoga's five Niyamas that are the internal disciplines or how we treat ourselves. Ayurveda integrates all health care disciplines and offers a treatment regimen that is appropriate and unique to each individual. It is considered a “living” science because it weaves modern developments and techniques along with ancient wisdom. Self-knowledge is a critical part of this process. Knowing our particular constitution is required for the Ayurvedic practitioner to provide the right treatment regimen and must include all aspects of our physical, psychological and spiritual nature. Ayurveda succeeds when we devote time, effort, and dedication to the process and ourselves. Ayurvedic treatment is centered on following the appropriate life-regimen according to our unique constitution.
Modern life often deprives us of the time that we need to take care of ourselves. We must expend a lot of energy to navigate our lives but do not always have the time or knowledge of how to replenish it. However the responsibility is ours and there is no one else to blame if we do not make the effort.
What we do every day determines who we are and what we truly value in life. Ayurvedic life-regimens are simple, non-invasive, flow with nature and generally do not interfere with other forms of treatment. They often enhance allopathic medicine as well as psychological treatment. In Ayurveda, body, mind, and consciousness work together in maintaining balance.
Our daily routine starts the night before. Going to bed at the right time, getting up before or with the sun, eating without distraction in a pretty uncluttered place, sitting down at regular times for meals are examples of Ayurvedic regimens. These are also called routines or even rituals. People hate the word routine because it can conjure up feelings of being stuck, boring and being in a rut not to mention hard to establish and easy to break. Any natural form of healing takes time as well as our own efforts. Herbal therapy, food changes, and other practices may take a month or so to see any noticeable changes. Slow and steady wins the race.
We do not need to live chaotically but we must live creatively in order to be truly healthy and happy. Creativity is not chaotic. It establishes an order that gives us more time and freedom because our energy is no longer focused on wrong action.
What times of the day do you eat, sleep, and exercise? Do you eat standing up, in your car or even distracted by TV or your phone? How do you feel after you eat or when you wake up? What is the first thing you do in the a.m. and what is the last thing you do before you go to sleep? Do you have room for more creativity and less chaos in your day?
Ayurveda offers no “hacks” no shortcuts, no quick fixes, no purple pills. The prescriptions are perhaps unconventional and are not picked up from the pharmacy but may include simple forms of self-care such as daily oil massage, morning walks, herbal teas, spices, healing foods and more time in nature. Side effects may include: prevention of imbalances that cause disease and an improvement in the quality and quantity of your life.
Self-care and self-love are not selfish or ego driven. When we are healthy and feel good, our vibrancy spills outside of us and touches everyone in our lives. Ayurveda offers to teach us a new way to love and care for ourselves in a new and radiant light.