The Ayurvedic Clock

What is the Ayurvedic Clock? (AKA the Energy or Doshic Clock)

In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, the doshic clock refers to the idea that our bodies and energies fluctuate throughout the day according to the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Ayurveda teaches that we are a part of nature, so whatever is happening outside is also happening within us.

But let’s back up for a moment. Most people break the day into work, play, and sleep time, with work time, generally allotted the most hours in Western culture. However, Ayurveda sees the 24-hour clock differently, breaking it into SIX four-hour blocks. That means three four-hour blocks in the AM and three four-hour blocks in the PM.

(In the image above, I’ve divided the Ayurvedic clock into two clocks so you can see both DAY and NIGHT.)

The three doshas or energetic patterns- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha show up in both the AM and PM hours. Doshas are energies that describe specific times of the day and are also related to the five elements -water💧, earth🌎, fire🔥, air💨and ether🪐

The Five Elements that make up the Three Doshas comprise e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g in our universe from your Body, Mind, Seasons, Time of Day, and Time of Life (birth through old age), and almost everything else.

Let’s break it down:

1. Vata Time (6 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.): The transition between night and day, dusk and dawn, is related to VATA energy. This energy is ethereal, light, mobile, and dreamlike. Your most active daydreams (creative times) and night dreams are in this VATA energy. The early morning hours, this time before sunrise is ideal for meditation, visualization, self-care, and spiritual rituals. Elements associated with Vata are air and ether.

2. Pitta Time (10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.): The peak of the day and night are related to PITTA energy. Between 10 am and 2 pm, digestion and metabolism are strongest. You may feel sharp, focused, and productive. However, the late-night Pitta period (10 pm – 2 am) is also associated with the body’s natural detoxification and regeneration processes during sleep. Elements associated with Pitta are fire and a little water.

3. Kapha Time (2 a.m. – 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.): The sun’s rising, and setting is connected to Kapha time. Kapha energy is grounding, heavy, EARTH energy, and as the earth prepares for the day and settles down for the night, you are in Kapha time. It’s a time of stability, nurturing, and rejuvenation. You may feel calm, grounded, and ready for the day in the early morning. In the afternoon, Kapha time can bring a sense of heaviness and drowsiness, urging you to take a break or engage in gentle activities as you prepare for sleep. Elements associated with Kapha are earth and water.

The doshic clock suggests that understanding these energetic shifts can help us optimize our daily routines, from when to eat, exercise, work, or rest. By aligning our activities with the doshas dominant at specific times, we can support balance and harmony within our bodies.

Remember that everyone is unique, and individual constitutions may vary. Therefore, it’s always beneficial to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to personalize your approach to the doshic clock and optimize your well-being accordingly.

Click HERE to learn more about the DAILY RHYTHM.

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