The Ayurvedic Morning Ritual: Warm Water and Mindful Elimination

(Fill the cup the night before and let it sit overnight.) If the water is too cold, it may provoke kapha disorders such as colds, coughs, and sore throat. For kapha and vata individuals, it is actually better to drink hot water, but for a pitta person, lukewarm is best. This water will not be absorbed but will wash the gastrointestinal tract and flush the kidneys. It also stimulates peristalsis in the intestines, stimulates the descending colon and ileocecal valve, and helps with having a good bowel movement.

It is not a good idea to start the day with coffee or black tea. These drain kidney energy, overstimulate the adrenals, and promote constipation. They are also habit-forming. EVACUATION Sit (or better, squat) on the toilet, and have a bowel movement.

Even if you don’t have the urge, sit for a few minutes, without forcing. If you do this every day, following your glass of warm water, the habit will develop. (See “Constipation” for suggestions on promoting healthy bowel movements.) After evacuation, wash the anal orifice with warm water, then wash your hands with a gentle soap. CLEAN YOUR TEETH AND TONGUE Use a soft toothbrush for your teeth, and an herbal powder made of astringent, pungent, and bitter herbs.

(See “Teeth and Gums—Ayurvedic Care” for further suggestions.) Scrape your tongue every morning. This is an important part of daily hygiene, from which you can learn a lot about your health and habits. Note how coated your tongue is, and how your breath smells. If you get the smell of last night’s pizza, that means the food is not yet thoroughly digested.

If there is a lot of coating on the tongue, that means there is much ama or toxicity in the system. Perhaps you ate too late, or your dinner was hard to digest. If there is ama on the tongue and a bad smell on the breath, don’t eat breakfast. Eating breakfast is not good if you have not digested last night’s dinner.