OJAS BUILDING MORNING ROUTINE + RECIPE
Ojas (oh- jas) is described in Ayurveda as the subtle essence of wellbeing that is responsible for vitality and longevity. It is obtained through eating clean foods, taking time for rest, rejuvenation, laughter, connection, practicing yoga, meditation, and having good digestion. What diminishes Ojas is overworking, over-exercising, stress, not sleeping enough, eating poor quality foods, and not taking time for enjoyment.
Qualities of ample Ojas
glowing skin •stable energy • well-rested •present and mindful •nourished •healthy tongue •good digestion •bright eyes
Qualities of depleted Ojas
dull, dry, thin skin •sleep issues •irritable and stressed •achy and stiff •low or excessive hunger •lacking luster • poor immune system
We all go through phases where we have more or less Ojas. No matter if we need to build or maintain Ojas, having a morning routine centered on self-care is one of the most effective ways to enhance vitality. Taking this time daily will prevent illness and keep you looking and feeling your best.
Below are 7 practices to incorporate every morning. 7 may sound like a lot but these are all simple, quick, and easy. Once you are finished you can check 7 things off your to-do list so it is also very satisfying!
Before getting out of bed, stretch your arms overhead and practice some very gentle side bends and twists. Begin to circle the spine going clockwise and then counter. Gently moving the spine in all 6 directions, with the breath, will open you up, release tension, and give you subtle energy to start the day.
Scrape your tongue and splash your face and eyes clean with cool water. This helps to remove “ama” or excess bacteria and yeast from the tongue. It is a good way to monitor what is going on with your digestive system. Splashing the face and eyes with cool water helps to wake you up and get you motivated for the following tips. If you have acne I recommend you do your skincare routine first thing in the morning.
Drink a large glass of room temp water. This will stimulate digestion, deeply hydrate you, and gently flush out your kidneys.
Keep your phone out of sight until after breakfast. Too much screen time is linked to a variety of imbalances and we all know we could benefit from cutting back on our device use. Let the morning be your free time from outside responsibilities and distractions.
Practice mindfulness and gratitude. Look around your home and take in all you have to be thankful for. If you find your mind drifting to a big to-do list, simply return to your breath and present surroundings. You could also try journaling a gratitude list.
Practice yoga or meditation. These are the most potent practices for increasing Ojas. Both meditation and yoga support the nervous system by reducing stress and improving mood. Find the practice that is most enjoyable for you and commit to a minimum of 15-minutes daily. The longer, the better, so take as much time as you can.
Eat a slow, mindful, breakfast. The more you chew and eat with awareness the better your food will digest. This will give you ample energy and nourishment for the day ahead. During fall and winter enjoy a nourishing bowl of Ojas Oatmeal (see recipe below).
OJAS OATMEAL
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
· 1cup oats
· 2+cups water
· 1 apple
· 1 banana
· 2 Tbs raw coconut flakes
· 1tsp hemp seeds
· 1tsp chia
· 1tsp cinnamon
· 1Tbs maple syrup or honey
· Optional: 1tsp Ashwagandha powder and 1 strand saffron
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook oats in water
2. Towards the last 5 minutes add in all ingredients and mix well until everything is soft – add more water as needed
3. Eat mindfully