3 Energizing Ayurvedic Morning Routines to Brighten Dark Winter Days
As winter settles in, the shorter days and colder temperatures can make it tough to stay energized and motivated. The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda provides a refreshing approach to morning rituals that can uplift your spirit and help you feel grounded. Whether you're just starting with Ayurveda or want to deepen your practice, these three energizing routines are perfect for injecting warmth and brightness into your winter mornings. Let's explore some revitalizing rituals designed to keep you energized and connected to your inner self during the chilly season.
Bonus: Customized Grounding Practices and complimentary Vata recipe eBook.
1. The Invigorating Oil Ritual
Understanding Abhyanga
Abhyanga is a cherished Ayurvedic practice that involves a warm oil massage. This ritual not only nourishes your skin but also enhances blood circulation. In the dry, cold winter, it's especially beneficial, providing hydration and warmth that can make a significant difference in how you feel.
Materials Needed
Sesame Oil or Dosha Herbalized Oil: Opt for organic, high-quality oils known for their skin-nourishing properties.
A Bowl: Use a heat-safe bowl to warm the oil.
Steps to Follow
Warm Your Oil: Fill a larger bowl with hot water and place a smaller bowl of oil in it. Alternatively, you can warm the oil in the microwave for just a few seconds. Always ensure it's a comfortable temperature to avoid any burns.
Massage Your Body: Pour a small amount of the warm oil into your hands. Start with your feet, using circular motions, and work your way up to your legs, arms, and torso. This takes about 10 minutes.
Focus on Your Joints: Pay extra attention to your knees, elbows, and shoulders, areas that often feel stiff in winter. Spending an additional two to three minutes on these joints can greatly alleviate discomfort.
Allow Time to Absorb: After massaging, let the oil remain on your skin for 15 to 30 minutes. Use this time to meditate, read, or enjoy a warm drink, soaking in the relaxing benefits.
Shower and Refresh: Take a warm shower to rinse off the excess oil. Your skin will feel soft and deeply nourished afterwards.
This simple yet effective ritual enhances not only your physical well-being but also helps shift your mood positively, making you more ready to tackle whatever the day throws at you.
Related Reading: Abhyanga Massage - How to Do Ayurveda Self-Massage at Home
2. Breathwork (Pranayama) and Meditation
The Power of Pranayama
Breathwork can offer a grounding experience, especially during winter. Pranayama, meaning breath control, helps to clear the mind and boost energy levels by ensuring your body is well-oxygenated. Studies suggest that regular breathwork can improve mental clarity and reduce stress by up to 40%.
Materials Needed
Comfortable Clothing: Wear something that feels good to allow you to focus fully on your breathing.
Quiet Space: Choose a calm environment free from distractions.
Steps to Follow
Set the Atmosphere: Dim the lights to create a calming space. Consider lighting a candle or burning soothing incense, or aromatherapy for your dosha to enhance tranquility.
Sit Comfortably: Cross your legs and keep your head, neck, and spine in relaxed alignment. Place your hands on your knees and relax your shoulders as you close your eyes.
Begin with Deep Breaths: Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing and Change Your Life.
Practice Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing): The Benefits of Nadi Shodhana: Alternate Nostril Breathwork Guide
Conclude with a Short Guided Meditation: After breathwork, focus on a positive intention for your day. Visualize warmth and light filling your body, ready to face the challenges ahead. Use our popular guided meditations.
This practice not only enhances lung capacity but also helps clear mental fog, making it easier to face your day with energy and positivity.
Related Reading: Ayurveda Breathwork Pranayama
3. Nourishing Herbal Tea Ritual
The Importance of Warmth
Another favorite Ayurvedic morning routine is to embrace warmth from the inside out. A nourishing herbal tea crafted from traditional Ayurvedic herbs can energize your body and soothe your spirit during the winter months.
Materials Needed
Herbal Ingredients: Choose warming herbs like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and clove.
Teapot or Kettle: For boiling water.
Steps to Follow
Boil Water: Start with about 2 cups of water in your kettle or pot.
Prepare Your Herbs: Use a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon of dried), a pinch of turmeric, two crushed cardamom pods, and an optional cinnamon stick.
Brew the Tea: Combine the herbs with boiling water and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This helps the ingredients release their beneficial properties into the tea.
Strain and Serve: Strain the tea into your favorite mug. Optional: Add a teaspoon of honey or a squeeze of lemon for added flavor.
Savor Each Sip: As you drink, focus on how the warmth fills your body, awakening your senses and providing comfort with each sip.
This herbal tea not only hydrates you but also bolsters your digestion and immune system—essential elements to maintain during winter.
Please note: Saumya Ayurveda does not recommend using herbs as if they were over the counter or prescribed pharmaceuticals. An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner will create you a custom herbal formula, special nasya, and customized Ayurveda plan to support the whole you. Herbs are not Ayurvedic because it comes from India. Nor it is correct for you because it is organic. Herbs become Ayurvedic when used as part your customized Ayurveda plan which is carefully tailored for your constitution. An herb that is balancing to one person for a concern, may be imbalancing to another.
4. Grounding Practices Sequence Short and Extended
"The most powerful way to ground is not the herbs we take or the food we eat. Those matter a great deal, but what is foundational is diaphragmatic breathing and grounding practices. If you're not breathing diaphragmatically, your nervous system is stuck in flight-fight-freeze. First, learn how to breath diaphragmatically as your normal pattern all day and night. Your life will be forever changed.
Here's a routine that will provide you what you need to feel grounded, focused, calm and resilient. It's not complicated, it doesn't take long, and it's effective. Remember, quality over quantity. A short focused practice done daily, yields results. Don't believe me, try it for yourself and see.
You can extend or shorten the practice sequence ranging it from 15 minutes to over an hour. It is better to start shorter and expand slowly over time. Sitting for a long time watching the mind wander isn't the aim. We are creating pure moments of stillness. One moment of that will last you the day." --Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
To create a sequence that is shorter or longer here are some tips:
If you're feeling stiff and tight, you can spend a little more time in the yog-asana step. Do the postures with your breath and awareness flowing withe each movement. If you want more time in the diaphragmic breathing step, hang out there as long as you like. You can combine it with the guided practices. With the guided practices, you can do one of the 11-minute practices and if you want a longer, deeper experience, directly go to the 31 point blue star guided meditation. Those two combined together, are the preparatory steps of authentic yoga nidra practice.
Do a few minutes of grounding yog-asana practice.
Establish diaphragmatic breathing in makarasana (crocodile pose).
Practice this version of Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) two or three times a day. Your third session can be before your lunch or perhaps after work.
Follow the free guided practices. (Saumya clients learn how to move from flight-fight-freeze, to rest-restore-relax through using these practices 11 minutes in the morning and evening.)
“Oh, golly way, way improved. Stress fell off like an old hairy coat, I’m just not anxious. Depression is way decreased. There just nothing there. I was haunted by anxiety whole life, and it’s just gone.”
--Mark Hughes, Minnesota
Brightening Your Winter Routine
Winter may be a time of darkness for many, but with these three Ayurvedic morning routines, you can cultivate energy, balance, and vibrancy in your life. By incorporating the invigorating oil ritual, breathwork, yog-asana, and a nourishing herbal tea into your mornings, you will uplift your spirits and enhance your connection with your body and mind.
The tried and true Ayurveda tools are perfect for your morning ritual during Vata season and your Ayurvedic winter routine.
The key is consistency; commit a few moments each morning to these energizing practices and you'll create a foundation of warmth and resilience throughout winter. Embrace the wisdom of Ayurveda, and let it illuminate even the darkest days.
Whether you're new to these routines or revisiting old favorites, these rituals can transform your winter experience. So rise with the sun, nourish yourself, and embrace the light you create an environment of inner calm. Make your winter mornings brighter!
3 Energizing Ayurvedic Morning Routines to Brighten Dark Winter Days
Discover how personalized Ayurvedic treatment can change your life
Book a free consultation with Veena from Saumya Ayurveda
“It is with great pleasure that I write this review! Working with Veena has remarkably changed my life – even in the places I was unaware that it demanded to be changed! Throughout the course of four months, Veena’s gentle and succinct approach allowed me to easily refine my routines into a more structured foundation that left me feeling more in graceful governance with myself – emotionally and physically.
Not only had she brought forth awareness in how I prepare/ relate to the food I eat, but she also prescribed me wonderful herbs to help calm my anxiety, detox my liver, and heal the ugly night sweats I’ve been experiencing due to hormonal imbalances.
Lastly, her guided meditations are a great grounding force, and I have since continued to explore the euphoric benefits of Yoga Nidra.
Veena is a well of divine knowledge, and her humor and light will be eternally appreciated!”
--Rachel Monson, Wisconsin
“Veena is highly intelligent, kind, and easy to talk to—our first conversation felt like I had known her for years. She remedied several gastro-intestinal issues coupled with anxiety. Highly recommend!
-Jade Gagnon Minneapolis, Minnesota
Discover the Saumya Ayurveda Way
We all want to be heard, understood, and cared for as whole beings, not a set of isolated symptoms. True health is more than the absence of disease, which is why Western medicine so often leaves us feeling hopeless and unseen.
Deep down, you already know what you’re searching for: a new framework for living – one that brings your entire being back into balance. With Saumya Ayurveda, you’ll receive individualized guidance to create the physically, mentally, and spiritually vibrant life you crave.
Saumya Ayurveda provides concierge, top-notch, award-winning Ayurveda care. We strive to keep it simple, so you can focus on you! Our practice model is client focused not on retailing herbs.
Our effective multi-appointment consultation packages provide you with experienced Ayurveda care, enthusiastic guidance, and inspiring support.
Explore our personalized services and book your FREE discovery call today.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE…
If you found value in this article, please help others by sharing it and reposting it on your social media platforms. Just click the three vertical dots at the top of this page.
Saumya Ayurveda is dedicated to offering you insightful Ayurveda content for free to assist you in embracing an Ayurveda lifestyle. Thank you for your support.
MEET VEENA: YOUR AYURVEDIC GUIDE
Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher, and monk.
She is President Emeritus and teaching faculty of the Meditation Center.
Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home, learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee.
An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veena’s deep, intuitive knowledge of Ayurveda empowers her clients to reclaim their fullest, most vibrant lives –mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Veena individualizes treatment plans to each person, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, so it fits your life and becomes woven in your lifestyle, naturally.
Learn more about Veena's work and book your FREE discovery call today.