This version of practices has been shortened and simplified. If you are being advised by a Siddha doctor, or you have a Guru, that person will give you more detailed instructions based on your constitution and sadhana.
Remember that Siddha's art of living is ritual. Try to directly experience the rhythm you are establishing in your life. As you are practicing art of living feel that you are honoring your self, your body and God by participating in this daily ritual.
Morning
Wake up by atleast 5AM to 6 AM(1-2 hours before Sun rise). If you can’t manage this at first, work your way into it. You can train yourself to wake up at this time naturally.
The Sun activates the pineal gland to send messages to the adrenal glands to release adrenal cortisol, which wakes us from deep sleep.
Before opening your eyes or getting out of bed, sense the energy of the day. Rub your palms together quickly to generate warmth, then gently massage your face, head, arms and hands with long, smooth strokes. Repeat this sequence until you have gently massaged your entire body, including your feet.
Check through your nostril(dominant). Step out of the bed, touch the ground with the leg dominant side.
Evacuate your bowels. You can train yourself to do this at this time.
If your digestion is normally sluggish, drink a glass of warm water (fresh ginger, optional).
Wash your hands, and splash cold water on your face. Scrape your tongue with scraping tool available at pharmacy or yoga studio (dont use plastic one). Brush your teeth with mild, natural toothpaste and a soft toothbrush (if can with twigs like neem twigs etc.).
Take a slow walk in the fresh morning air for 30 to 45 minutes.
In the bathroom, dry brush your whole body. Use a natural bristle brush. Vata types should be particularly careful to stroke downward and without too much force. Pitta types should also use strokes that are less intense. Kapha types can use more vigorous back-and-forth strokes.
Perform Oil Bath—self-massage with gently warmed coconut oil + sesam oil + mustard oil / olive. Spend 30 to 45 minutes massaging the oil into your skin with long strokes, including ears, face and neck. A drizzle of warm oil may be poured on the crown of your head if you are planning to wash your hair. If your constitution is mainly kapha, you should perform oil bath only one to two times per week. You may want to use one of the massage oils formulated specifically for a kapha constitution. If you are experiencing high vata or pitta, you may want to use sesame oil or coconut oil respectively. Massage your body with oil only on lunar days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday). Take a shower. Use Shiyakai or natural soap. Pad yourself dry.
For normal cold bath pour water from top to toe while humming hmmm).
Eat breakfast. Follow the natural dietary instructions for your constitution.
Evening
Shower after work if the day has been stressful, or especially hot or humid. A bucket shower is great at night. The sheets of warm water from the bucket are much more relaxing than a typical shower.
Eat dinner no later than 7 pm or 3 hours before you go to sleep (fruits or light / easy to digest meal). Follow the dietary guidelines for your constitution.
Go for a slow walk daily for 30 to 45 minutes if you missed in the morning.
Stop watching TV, using the computer or reading at least an hour before bed (2-3 hours before mid night). Instead, spend some quiet time with your loved ones. Or sit quietly, linking up with your Guru or simply the larger cosmos and a sense of grace. You can also do Pranayama and Meditation.
Go to sleep by 10 PM at the latest, before you become exhausted, or even very sleepy because the oxygen level during this time will become lower to make you sleepy. Try to fall asleep with God, Guru or positive thought in your heart.
By Vijayakumar Alagappan
