Aligned Living: The Power of Dinacharya
As a new year begins, many of us feel an unspoken pressure to do more—to overhaul our habits, reset our routines, or make dramatic changes in hopes of feeling healthier and more balanced. Yet often, the more we strive for transformation, the further we drift from what we actually need.
Ayurveda gently invites us to pause.
Instead of asking What should I change? it encourages quieter reflection:
How do I feel when I first wake up?
How do I nourish myself throughout the day?
Do I move my body in ways that feel supportive?
How do I spend my free time, and how does it leave me feeling?
Take a moment to notice your answers—without judgment or overanalyzing. Often, what we need is already present, waiting to be seen.
“Balance isn’t missing—it’s simply been obscured by busy schedules, trends, and unrealistic expectations”
When something gently stands out—an area where you feel rushed, depleted, or disconnected—Ayurveda offers a grounded way forward. Not through extremes or rigid rules, but through daily care rooted in awareness and rhythm.
Ayurveda & the Wisdom of Daily Rhythm
Ayurveda, often called the science of longevity, teaches that health is preserved by supporting what is already working within us. Its focus is not on fixing, but on sustaining balance—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
One of Ayurveda’s foundational teachings is Swasthavrtta, the practice of maintaining health through conscious living. Rather than reacting once imbalance appears, Swasthavrtta emphasizes preventative care—how we eat, move, rest, and relate to the world each day.
This approach is supported by three key practices:
Dinacharya – daily routines aligned with the natural flow of the day
Ritucharya – seasonal routines that help us adapt throughout the year
Sadvrtta – mindful and ethical conduct that nourishes emotional well-being
Together, these practices create a steady foundation for vitality, clarity, and long-term wellness.
“Ayurveda teaches that health is preserved not through extremes, but through daily care aligned with nature’s rhythms.”
Living in Rhythm: Dinacharya
Dinacharya is the Ayurvedic practice of aligning daily habits with the natural rhythms of time.
Throughout each day and night, different energies—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—naturally rise and fall. When we understand these rhythms, we can begin to make choices around nourishment, movement, rest, and self-care that support balance rather than drain it.
Dinacharya is not about creating a perfect routine. It’s about learning to listen:
Knowing when to energize and when to slow down
Understanding how timing affects digestion, focus, and sleep
Making small, sustainable shifts that prevent imbalance before it accumulates
“Dinacharya isn’t about rigid routines—it’s about learning when to energize and when to slow down.”
A Glimpse into Dinacharya: Emily’s Morning Routine
To offer a lived example of Dinacharya, Certified Yoga Teacher and Ayurveda Wellness Counselor Emily Ford shares her own morning rhythm—one expression of how Ayurvedic principles can gently unfold in daily life.
Rather than a fixed routine, this is one example of how Dinacharya can take shape through practices such as:
Rising with or before the sun
Cleansing practices for face, eyes, and tongue
Oil pulling and dry brushing
Abhyanga (self-massage with warm oil)
Warm water or herbal tea
Yoga and mindful movement
Bathing and preparing for the day
These practices are not meant to be adopted all at once. They are offered as inspiration—an invitation to explore what feels supportive and realistic for your own life.
Optional: Products Featured in Emily’s Routine
For those who wish to explore further, here is a list of the tools Emily uses in her own practice, including:
Oil pulling or use coconut oil (Pitta balancing), sesame oil (Vata balancing) or sunflower oil (Kapha balancing)
Vata massage oil or general oil for Ayurvedic massage
Harem Pants for cozy yoga wear - use Emily’s discount code INNERPEACE10
An Invitation to Live in Rhythm
Dinacharya is not about doing more—it’s about doing what supports you, consistently and with care. When daily life begins to flow with nature instead of against it, balance becomes less of something we chase and more of something we remember.
“When daily life flows with nature instead of against it, balance becomes a natural outcome.”
If you feel called to explore this way of living more deeply, you’re warmly invited to join Emily Ford, Certified Yoga Teacher and Ayurveda Wellness Counselor, for an in-studio workshop, Aligned Living: The Power Of Dinacharya, on Saturday, January 24 from 1-3pm in the Himalayan Salt Room at Prana Yoga Center.
This gathering offers space to slow down, reflect, and experience Ayurvedic wisdom in a grounded, practical way—through discussion, gentle movement, and simple daily practices you can carry home with you. No prior knowledge of Ayurveda is needed, just a curiosity to listen more closely to your own rhythms.
What You’ll Experience During the Workshop
Aligned Living: The Power Of Dinacharya offers space to slow down, reflect, and experience is designed to be experiential, nourishing, and practical—offering insight you can realistically integrate into daily life.
During our time together, Emily will guide you through:
Ayurvedic education & discussion (1 hour)
Learn about the daily Dosha clock and how Vata, Pitta, and Kapha influence different times of day
Reflect on your current routines and identify which practices may best support youHerb & tea bar experience
Explore supportive herbs used in Ayurvedic daily livingTake-home resources
Receive a detailed workshop packet and a thoughtfully curated gift bag to support your ongoing practiceBalancing yoga practice
Close with a gentle yoga practice designed to harmonize the Doshas
Take home a written yoga sequence with tips for adapting your practice based on the time of day
We look forward to practicing—and learning—together.
About the Instructor
Emily Ford is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Ayurveda Wellness Counselor whose work is rooted in helping students reconnect with natural rhythms through daily living, mindful movement, and sustainable self-care practices. Her teaching blends traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with an accessible, modern approach—offering tools that meet students where they are and support balance over time.