Looking in the mirror with fear and disappointment is a shared feeling by many struggling to sustain weight loss. According to Ayurveda, a poor self-image sprouting from weight problems is intertwined with one's doshas (body constitution) and a poorly managed daily routine, or dinacharya.

Ananda recently worked with a former triathlete struggling with weight loss. He was now a businessman in his early 40s keen to recapture the glory of his past athletic prowess. Detailing a life marked by haste, this pitta-kapha personality type shared his frustrations with our Ayurvedic physicians, reporting episodes of bloating, a history of gastroenteritis, and pain in knees from a meniscal repair surgery. Standing tall at 190 cms and 100 kilograms, the guest was diagnosed with over-weight or sthoulya. With visceral fat level at 8, 17% fat and a BMI of 27.7, he arrived for a 2-week Weight Management programme as a last resort to his multiple failed attempts to reduce weight.

The Wellness Journey: Knowing yourself ‘around the day’

With no family history of disorders, personal addictions, or significant other health issues, other than a few food intolerances, the course of clinical investigation for Ayurveda shifted to what’s happening with him ‘around the day?’

Circa diem or circadian rhythm, meaning ‘around the day’ regulates the internal cycle of the body every 24-hours. The physiologists trace its origins to the Ayurvedic concept of dinacharya which combines 'dina' (day) and 'charya' (activity). The ancient principle conveys that any process arising within an organism responds to its environment and vice versa. A faulty dinacharya disrupts normal metabolic processes and contributes to weight fluctuations. This inconsistency can trigger a cascade of negative health effects, including hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders and a poor self-image.

His normal routine getting ready for work each morning, was a cup of coffee at breakfast and grabbing a working lunch to ‘make it quick’. Feeling a lack of control over his life during the working hours, he would try to get some well-deserved ‘me-time’ after sunset. Procrastinating on sleep was an obvious way to fulfilling this need for leisure. He loved his food, looked forward to fixing a big dinner for himself and his family. “It’s the meal I live for”, he confessed. With the expected consequence of sleeping as late as possible each day, a morning routine was certainly out of question.

Due to the prevalent belief that one equates to losing out on fun in favour of a healthy lifestyle, the critical importance of honouring a dinacharya is often overlooked by the mind. At this point, Ayurveda with its personalised approach steps in with an edge over conventional nutrition and health tips. The Ayurvedic tradition recognizes all life forms as Doshas that represent a unique combination of the five elements. Doshas manifest as very distinct physical, emotional, and mental characteristics in each of us. There are set of expansive rules listed for each personality type. These include wake-up and bedtime, consumption of food, nature of exercise, personal hygiene, daily habits and much more. These preferences are further customised as per the current state of mind, age, social life, cultural conditioning, climatic conditions, family history and so on.

Acknowledging the guest’s choices, the physicians at Ananda painstakingly explained the detrimental cycle of a poor dinacharya on ones’ body, mind and spirit and carved a realistic treatment and lifestyle plan for the sustenance of his weight loss. The easily bored Pitta personality type dominated by the element of fire, requires a calming yet engaging routine. A fitness routine at the gym, kunjal kriya (emesis), asana (yogic physical postures) and hydrotherapy felt apt to the guest’s athletic nature. To avoid strain, soothing Ayurveda therapies like abhyanga and choornaswedana, a bundle massage, Pranayama (breathing exercises) and yoga nidra were a start to his 14-day journey. For a pitta, who loves stimulation through food, the guilt associated with compulsive eating can exacerbate poor self-image and weight problems reinforcing the cycle of emotional distress. Hence a diet plan was designed to avoid experiencing starvation while satiating his palate.

By day 6 the body reflected symptoms of toxin saturation, which meant the collected toxins or ama was ready to flush out. Medically administered enemas or basti, virechana and other Panchkarma therapies continued till the second week of his stay, alongside Ayurvedic treatments like Udwarthana, a stimulating dry powder massage for weight loss. The last phase of the program involved nourishing the senses through pacifying food and therapies. This is important to induce a sense of security which helps in the sustenance of the recommended Dinacharya.

The End Result: The Crucial Role of Dinacharya

The guest lost 7 kilograms by at the end of the program. His visceral fat levels reduced by 25%, with a 3% reduction in fat and a BMI reducing by 7% to 25.8. He was advised a hot infusion of fennel and cumin alongside natural herbs before and after meals to maintain metabolism. To sustain the weight loss, the physicians advised that he continue following the dinacharya till the body feels familiar and secure with this new way of life.

There is a well-known relationship between excessive weight and optimal functioning of internal systems, as also the connection between self-image and weight issues. Fostering healthy body-image and sustainable weight loss requires realistic goal setting, and a supportive environment that celebrates individuality.

Recognizing your dosha to know your ideal dinacharya is crucial for sustainable change. Adopting dinacharya cultivates discipline and mindfulness. The routine not only aids in weight management but also enhances mental clarity, emotional stability and improved self-esteem.

During a conversation about my sleep issues, Shikha Sud, a clinical hypnotherapist and energy healer at Ananda in the Himalayas, asked me something that made me pause and reflect. She said, “The question isn’t why you aren’t sleeping; the real question is: do you want to sleep?” Her words hit me hard, and I started to laugh. “Oh my God, you’re right,” I replied, “The truth is, I don’t want to sleep. It’s not that I can’t; I just don’t want to!” 

What is Garshana or Dry brushing?

Dry brushing a very popular practice finds its roots in Garshana, an ancient Ayurvedic technique that uses a brush with coarse natural fiber bristles over the skin. Ayurvedic dry brushing is done by massaging natural dry powders on the skin in upward strokes. Dry brushing helps to exfoliate dead skin and increases blood circulation. It opens clogged pores, drains lymphatic fluids and aids detoxification. Garshana is stimulating, it helps loosen the state of stagnant energy in a system or an organ by balancing excess Kapha.

How long has it been around and how has it evolved into the practice it is today?

Garshana is an ancient practice, and it has always been an important part of therapeutic ayurvedic procedures. Over time, with people living very busy lives, the practice of Garshana evolved to using brushes over powders. Udwarthana, a dry massage using herbal powders to break down excess subcutaneous fat was also performed by using brick powder and wood powder in earlier times.

Can you explain what the three doshas are and how they correlate to your skin type/how often you should be dry brushing?

In Ayurvedic philosophy the five elements combine in pairs to form the three dynamic forces called doshas. Vata (air and space) governs the mobility and impulses in our body and mind. Pitta (water and fire) takes care of the overall energy and emotions attached to thought process, while Kapha (earth and water) provides stability and nourishment. Doshas are primary life forces or biological humors found in all life forms and Ayurveda categorizes personalities under one of these bio energies. There are a preferable set of elaborate rules listed as guidance for each personality types.

People with different doshas have different skin traits. Garshana is a stimulating therapy, people who are predominantly kapha in their constitution will benefit the most and can practice it daily. Those who are predominantly pitta can practice dry brushing twice a week. The Vata personality type would best benefit from doing this practice once per week if required, for the vata type, dry powders are often mixed with ghee or sesame oil. People with sensitive skin, prone to rashes, eruptions or any other similar condition must always consult an Ayurveda physician to avoid aggravating their condition.

What are the benefits of dry brushing?

• Garshana pacifies the aggravated Kapha dosha
• Reduces the excess fat accumulated in the subcutaneous tissues
• Softens and exfoliates dead skin cells, thereby giving a lustrous glow to skin
• Detoxification, purification, toning the skin promotes tighter skin, cell renewal and blood flow
• Eliminates bad body odor
• Improves mobility of joints
• Strengthens and tones up the muscles
• Refreshes and rejuvenates the body
• Takes care of conditions due to improper blood supply

Dry brushing improves cellulite, is this the primary purpose for Garshana?

The origin of this practice was only for health benefits, the aesthetics is an added advantage. The purpose of Garshana was originally not to address cellulite formation, but for deeper internal benefits such as detoxification. Once the accumulated fat deposit loosens and moves out of the system, it overall increases the circulation resulting in the cure of diverse health issues and aches & pains. The cellulite dissolving through Garshana is a by-product and an added advantage.

How do you choose the right brush for face and body?

Garshana is traditionally done using raw silk or linen gloves, though many prefer to use a natural bristle body brush.

What's the best way to practice dry brushing?

Dry brushing is best done in the morning before bathing, with dry skin that is free from lotion or oil. Make sure the room used for the therapeutic practice is warm and has a comfortable temperature.

Mood disorders affect nearly every facet of a person's life, often stirring up a sense of hopeless withdrawal. In cases of bipolar disorder, the mood changes can be extreme, ranging from manic highs to depressive lows. Ananda's Yogis met an entrepreneur in a comparable state, who came seeking clarity and effective coping mechanisms. Immersed in high occupational stress and early signs of bipolar disorder, he was eager to adopt meditation through the Dhyana Meditation Programme to avoid another burn out.

Burdened by responsibilities of family inheritance, the young man in his early twenties with a pitta constitution, turned to yoga with a plethora of questions about life and its purpose. Yogic philosophy believes mood disorders have the potential of pushing the svabhava or true nature of the self to a tamasic state of existence, the attribute or tendency dominated by ‘darkness’.

The constant battle with negative thoughts and low self-esteem further compounds these challenges, making it hard for individuals to see a way out of their condition. The guest’s slouching spine, stiff ankles, calves and hamstrings, drooping shoulders, and a forward-tilted head were evidence of the tamasic darkness in his inner world.

The Wellness Journey

The term Chaturmas comes from the combination of "Chatur" (four) and "Mas" (month) in Sanskrit. It refers to a sacred period of four months, from July to October. In India, some of the most important festivals are during this period including Janmashtami, Dussehra and Diwali are celebrated. Various types of fasting practices, known as upvas, are observed during these festivities, believed to be beneficial for the self.