The Ayurvedic Clock

There is an ideal time for everything. Ever wonder why morning meetings are not always the most productive? Try shifting them to the afternoon when people tend to be more communicative and ready to share ideas.

This is the Ayurvedic Clock, or what I like to call “a year in a day.” It’s how Ayurveda, Yoga’s sister science, divides the day.

Ayurveda sees the world through the lens of the elements, which is groups into three energies, or doshas: kapha, pitta and vata.

Each dosha has a different feeling, purpose, time of day and season associated with it.

- Kapha is the heavy mud-like energy (earth + water) we notice most in Spring or in the morning. No wonder we feel a bit foggy and slower this time of day!

- Pitta is the fiery heat we experience in Summer and mid-day, when we have the most energy and can do the hard tasks of the day more easily.

- Vata is the cold, dry energy (air + ether) we notice most in Winter or in the late-afternoon. Air moves easily and quickly, making it easier to communicate and share ideas.

The cycle - or spiral - repeats at night when each dosha is prevalent again but with a slightly different character and purpose.

I find that looking at my day this way helps me plan my activities and tasks - when possible - in a way that makes them easier to complete, like going with the flow.

It also helps me give myself and others grace when we are trying to push against the current of the day and do something in a less-than-ideal time.

I talk about this more in this podcast interview with Shanté Cofield for her Maestro on the Mic podcast. Check it out for more on this and other seasonal living insights.