The morning is the start to our day, and when we get a good start, it’s likely that we’re going to have a great day!  Yet waking up can be a challenge for some.  Here are tips for how to wake up the Ayurvedic way:

-Wake up before sunrise.  This is Vata time, and because Vata deals with movement, it helps to get your body going.  Once the sun comes up, it’s Kapha time, time to exercise!  If you’re already up, this is much easier to do.  Start with some breathing exercises, and easy yoga, or begin your morning meditation.

-Drink a glass of warm water with some fresh lemon or lime.  The warm water stimulates the GI tract, and the citrus helps to loosen up the ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract.

-Splash your face with cool water.  This helps to disperse leftover Pitta and prepare the skin for the day ahead.  Morning hydration is very important.  Rinse your mouth with cool water to get rid of the trapped heat that has dried out the mouth during the night.

-Brush your teeth.  Massage your gums.  And use a tongue scraper to get rid of built up ama on the tongue.  Ayurveda also recommends rinsing your mouth with warm olive or sesame oil – spit it out, don’t swallow it.  The oil strengthens the teeth, gums and jaw and also helps to protect the voice.

-Massage the circumference of the ears, starting at the top of the ear, with the thumb and index finger.  Rub a few drops of olive or sesame oil just inside the nostril to help moisturize and clean the sinuses.

-Exercise the eyes.  Roll the eyes up and down, side to side, and also diagonally.  Rotate them clockwise and counterclockwise.  Squeeze shut, then release.  Repeat several times.  Splashing open eyes with cool water helps to balance the doshas.  If your eyes are puffy, cover them with slices of cucumber.

-Aromatherapy.  For Vatas, ginger, cardamom, or orange are most balancing.  For Pittas, choose sandalwood or lavender.  Kaphas are most balanced by the scent of eucalyptus, rosemary or sage.  Massage a little bit of aromatic oil onto the third eye point in a circular motion.  Breath slowly and deeply.  Lightly massage the temples with the four fingers.

-Eat breakfast.  The morning meal is important for getting your metabolism started, so never skip.  But don’t overindulge, either!