Twilight Tanmatra
Come to Your Senses and Support Nervous System
Invite nature into 5 senses and broadcast more ease in nervous system.
News: A broadcasting system of current events. Information ingested through the eyes and ears is then digested by the mind. Images of the war in Europe or news stories about inflation, trigger "fight or flight" in mind. Under stress, the body releases cortisol and adrenaline. Watching news throughout the day keeps body in constant stress mode, which affects heart health, digestion, and sleep patterns.
Until the mid-90's, news aired mainly in the evening, and on television sets. Now, newscasts air 24/7. And available beyond TV and radio. We see news updates on social media platforms. The more one scrolls, the higher stress tolls on nervous system.
Pause News and Come to Your Senses
Nature. A wise, benevolent teacher whose syllabus awakens the five senses - sound, touch, sight, taste, and smell. Observing nature helps our mind and body harmonize with Universal biological rhythms during our daily routines and in different seasons of life. Or during career, relationship, economic, and global changes.
Sunrise and sunset are auspicious moments for realigning body and mind to natural Universal rhythms. Through the 5 senses- our doorways of perception, nature ushers our attention to front row of observing miracles, intelligence, wonder, and creativity.
In Ayurveda, tanmatra chikitsa is a sensory therapy that supports wellbeing in the body and mind. The five senses are doorways into nervous system. Welcoming natural sights and sounds into mind upon awakening or before sleep, is an easy, enjoyable form of meditation. And, supports a consistent creative flow during workday and easy pathway to sweet dreams at bedtime.
My favorite classroom is early morning, just before sunrise. Sitting outside for 5 minutes and observing nature soon after awakening, helps me better align mind’s faculties- logic, reason, and decision-making, with my heart’s creative genius. So, instead of brain becoming tangled by timelines and to-do lists, thoughts merge with energy and magic of Universal potential. A twilight pause before breakfast and work awakens creative genius.
So, as winter genuflects to spring, here's an Ayurvedic lifestyle suggestion to help you awaken seeds of new wellbeing, career, and creative dreams.
Transitions between night and day are magical portals for supporting nervous system wellbeing.
Sensory Awakening Practice
Sit or stand outside, facing East in morning; West in evening. Devote one minute breath awareness to each of the 5 senses.
👂🏼Begin with hearing. Element: Space. 🌌 Universe began with sound- the Big Bang. Close eyes. Invite ears to center stage. Listen to nature awaken. Birds, wind, crickets. Listen to inhales and exhales. Harmonize breath with nature, creating a Uni-Verse of peace. What creative ideas do you hear AWE-wakening in heart?
🙏🏾 Next, touch. Element: Air.🌬 Place hands together on heart center at mid-sternum. Feel heart beating and breath moving. Remember this place and rhythm. Later in day, at stress warning bells, breathe and return to this pose.
😍 Sight. Element: fire. 🔥 Which planets glow in sky? What patterns catch your eye? Watch sunrise/sunset. Notice how light both illuminates objects and casts shadows. How can you relate these experiences to today’s tasks? Set an intention to step into spotlight of your heart today by leaving shadows of fear or worry.
😋Taste. Element: Water💧In early morning, the grass, flowers, and leaves are dew dropped. Mother Nature’s reminder to begin day hydrated. Slowly sipping one cup of warm or room temp water awakens taste and cleanses body. Add lemon slice for easy Vitamin C, alkaline, and phytonutrients benefits.
👃🏼Smell. Element: Earth. 🌸 Get cozy in a garden space or sit on ground. Close eyes, Place little fingers on side of nostrils. Gently press in and upwards. This Ayurveda marma (acupressure) point supports sense of smell. Within 5-8 breaths, your nervous system and sinuses benefit from relaxed facial muscles and nature’s aromatherapy.
About mid-day, between 2-4pm, pause and notice state of your mind and nervous system. Come back to your senses. Invest a few minutes doing one of the above therapies. It’s an easy, effective, and enjoyable way to lower stress and improve nervous system functioning. And, awe-waken your creative genius.
As winter changes to spring, now is potent time to integrate lifestyle changes into your daily routines. With upcoming daylight savings time, invest a few moments in morning or evening outside, by turning off the news and tuning into nature.
Schedule an Ayurvedic consultation and receive bonus tanmatra therapy handout for your unique body-mind constitution.
