Why is Caring for our 5 Senses a KEY part of Ayurveda’s Daily Routine?

We are constantly absorbing information via our senses. Ayurveda, the ancient ‘science of life’, understands that we can use sensory impressions to both maintain balance and treat health issues.

The Ayurvedic sages understood that we’re intimately connected with the universe as we are all made up of the same 5 core elements of ether, air, fire, water and earth. Humans can be thought of as a microcosm of the universal macrocosm. Each element is also linked with a sense organ, helping explain how misusing them has the power to affect our core being and cause disease. The most subtle element, ether, relates to hearing, air with touch, fire with vision, water with taste and earth relates to our ability to smell.

So, how can we look after our senses to stay happy and well? Ayurveda offers “three pillars of life” which must be respected to be healthy. These are proper digestion, sleep and Brahmacharya (proper management of sexual activities, the senses and energy).

This is often understood as maintaining celibacy but is a form of regulated lifestyle in which we use energy in a balanced way. A major cause of disease is known as Asatmyendriyartha samyoga (overindulgence and wrongful use of sense organs). It’s not hard to imagine how this might occur as:

• Straining your eyes looking at screens can cause headaches (overuse)
• Listening to very loud music and sounds can lead to hearing problems (misuse)
• Lack of sunlight can trigger lethargy and a vitamin D deficiency (underuse)

However, there are many forms of positive sensory exercise in the Ayurvedic Dinacharya (daily routine). A big one is the practice of Yoga, the aim of which is to still the mind and senses, allowing us to get in touch with our inner selves. Indeed, one of the most important limbs of yoga is Pratyahara, the withdrawing of our senses from negative environmental influences.

Here are some simple ways to care for your sense organs each day:

Hearing

Every sound influences our physical and mental health and music and mantra are valuable therapeutic tools for healing. You may have enjoyed classes with teachers who use the power of sound to calm the mind. So, enjoy chanting Om at the end of a class, tuning into some mantra recordings, listening to soothing music or get outside to enjoy birdsong?

Ayurveda advises Karana Purana (ear oiling) as a simple home remedy for your weekly routine. Simply put a few drops of warm sesame oil into each ear to balance the flow of Prana Vayu (one of the sub types of Vata dosha) which helps us feel calm at a deep level. This also maintains the health of the small bones of the inner ear, keeping our sense of hearing healthy and supporting cognitive function. It can also support with conditions such as insomnia, tinnitus, and vertigo.

Touch

We all know the power of a good hug when we need it. Ayurveda places great importance on a regular warm oil massage. Traditionally children were massaged weekly- indeed the Sanskrit word Sneha is translated as both ‘oil’ and ‘love’ as it is believed the effects of a good massage are the same as being saturated with love!

This is because it triggers the release of endorphins – the brain chemicals that produce feelings of wellbeing. Stress hormones are also reduced which, in turn, supports immunity. You may have noticed that regular massage allows you to do yoga postures that were previously challenging as it improves the flexibility of joints, helping Prana (life-force) flow in the body.

An Ayurvedic self-massage is best first thing in morning and takes about 20 minutes. If time is short, just focus on the head and feet, both of which contain many Marma (vital points) that connect with the rest of the body. Ayurveda favours ‘cured’ sesame oil for massage that has been heated to make it lighter, more easily absorbed and with a greater antioxidant effect, but you can use any oil.