Yesterday I received a call from a reader and they wanted to know what routine I am using on a daily basis. (Remember my spiritual intention this week was Satya or Truth. That’s when the outside matches the inside). Well, I feel like I’ve been “caught” again in my mismatch. you see, I strongly feel like routine is a critical success factor to balance. In fact, I know this to be true on all levels of health. I sit down every single week without exception with schedule and calendar and plans…. But, when you work allllllll the time with no boundaries, your routine fails you.
In life, I go to bed at the same time each day. Otherwise, I think my life is chaos. The weeks with my kids are different than those when they are with their dad. The weeks that I actually see my boyfriend (who travels a lot and works hard too) are different every single time we actually do see each other. I teach at odd times and always have to be available if an instructor gets sick or can’t make it to their class. I have meetings at odd times. I have to get kids to practice and appointments and fun with their friends.
And of course there’s always…”my next big thing.” Those are the huge plans I make for myself when given a 20 minute period of downtime. That downtime usually costs me about 60 hours. I tell myself that this is scheduled chaos and my Vata mind thrives on it. I convince myself that if I can simply go to bed, get up, and eat 3 meals each day around the same time, then that is a working schedule for a Vata. All lies to self.
120 days is a very long time. It’s enough time to get my life in order long term. I’ve actually been planning this Cleanse for awhile. That’s why you see new employees in Montgomery, a new POS system in both studios, and me minimizing my presence on the schedule. I simply have to stop working so much to allow for more free time, fun, and creativity.
I’m attaching below a scheduling system that totally works. If your commitments are as out of whack as mine, you will see it very quickly. Then you have to make long-term goals to unwind your life. I’m also attaching the “ideal” routines for each dosha.
For me, I’m going to bed by 10 pm. Reading until 11 pm. Getting up by 6 am. I’m eating by 8 am, again by 1 pm, and again at 5:30 pm. I’m meditating at least 31 minutes in the afternoon when my life is most quiet. I’m being alone. I’m being quiet. I’m writing a lot. I’m walking the dogs. I’m practicing yoga daily. I’m looking for fun and unexpected to get this heavy Kapha energy moving. I’m long term planning what I want this most incredible life to look like. Most of the other things on the lists below are deeply incorporated into my life simply because I have been living this lifestyle for so long. I don’t have to think about oil massages and such. They are habits now.
scheduling yourself as a priority
I’m off to the Lebanon studio to do a deep clean!! Nothing like cleaning, reorganizing, and moving clutter to move Kapha!
*The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda, yoga, and meditation. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease. If you have any serious acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. Check with your doctor before taking herbs or using essential oils when pregnant or nursing.