Unleash Your Potential: The Power of Yogic Routines for Success and Well-being

Yogic Habits and Routines

In Yoga, it is believed that we can achieve better mental and physical health through following the correct daily routines, known as ‘achar’. If we follow the correct habits and routines, it can even help us to find solutions to many of the problems we experience in our lives.?

The morning routine is believed to be especially important, as it sets you up for the rest of the day. The way you start your day can massively influence how well the rest of the day goes, affecting your mood, stress levels, energy and even your appetite and sleep that night. The first 8 habits below are therefore morning habits and it is highly recommended to begin practicing these first.?

How To Follow Routines

A Way of Life

Once we have decided on our routines, they have to be carried out regularly, consistently and always with sincerity. The idea is that they become a way of life; daily habits, firmly embedded in our lives that we eventually carry out automatically and without question. Just like brushing your teeth, having a shower or eating for example.?

After a while, we start to experience the results and to reap the rewards of our actions. For example, we can expect to have more energy, better sleep, a more positive outlook, less cravings, addictions and impulses and regulated appetite.?

The most important thing about our routines is that they should generate positive feelings. They should not be just mechanical actions or ‘going through the motions’. We should be fully present and absorbed in what we are doing, with our full focus and attention. In other words, they should be carried out with mindfulness, enthusiasm and a sense of joy and gratitude.?

For example, when you practice yoga asana, you focus on the body parts you are using, feel the individual muscles, ligaments and bones and the sense of stretching. Also, be aware of your breath and put in the required effort without over-straining the body. Try not to get distracted with thoughts of other things and be fully absorbed in the process.

In Indian dancing, they say where the dancer’s hands move, the eyes move; where the eyes move; the mind moves; where the mind moves, the heart moves. When all these things are synchronised, the audience appreciates the dance. However, if the dancer’s hands move in one direction, the eyes in another direction, the mind is somewhere else and the heart is not in it at all, it’s not considered good dancing.

“We must bring in total attention and sincerity even to the ordinary things we do”.

13 daily habits?that everyone can incorporate (all or some of)?to improve their health, energy, sleep and quality of life.?You can include as many as you like, but most people will find it easier to begin with 3 or 4, then add in a couple more each week or fortnight. This way, you are more likely to be able to establish long-term habits, than if you try to change too much in one go.?

1. Waking up early 5-6am (before sunrise) - in yoga, it is believed that sleeping after sunrise will leave you feeling sluggish and lethargic
2. Drink 1 glass of warm water - rehydrates the body after sleep, stimulates the digestive system and other rejuvenating processes in the body
3. 10 minutes of silence (meditation) - reduces stress, improves many aspects of mental and physical health, clears your mind for the day ahead
4. Going for a walk outside (10-20 minutes) - natural daylight in the morning helps regulate circadian rhythm (body clock). This in turn, positively impacts your health, energy, mood, brain function, sleep and appetite?
5. Stand facing the sun with eyes closed for 5-10 minutes - boosts vitamin D production, stimulates production of the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin, reduces the chance of developing depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
6. Yoga asana (physical postures) - the best time to practice is early morning to raise energy, boost positivity and mood, reduce stress and improve brain function and productivity at work
7. Healthy breakfast - a balanced breakfast helps to balance blood sugar levels, which in turn helps regulate appetite, mood, concentration and energy levels over the morning
8. Get ready for work with mindfulness - instead of rushing and being on ‘auto-pilot’ as we tend to do. This cultivates stillness and inner peace that will stay with you throughout the morning
9. Work with a sense of duty - known in Yoga as ‘dharma’; this involves putting all your care and effort into the work you do, whatever it is. Taking pride in your work like this will lead to satisfaction and contentment, even if you don’t have the perfect job/career
10. Light early dinner - a light evening meal, ideally 3 hours before you go to sleep will benefit your digestion and you will wake up feeling energised the next morning
11. Time with family, friends or relaxation time at the end of the day - after dinner, it is recommended that we spend quiet time, relaxing alone or with family at home, as opposed to going out or engaging in strenuous activities
12. Writing 5-10 positive points about your day before bed - this is an extremely beneficial exercise that cultivates gratitude, reduces depression, improves positivity and overall mental health. A very powerful practice, highly recommended.?
13. Early to bed - by 10pm ideally - yogis always go to bed early to be ready to get up early the next morning. This also leads to better quality sleep.?

By Deepak B Pandeyji , Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher.