Ritual, Routine, and the Quiet Power of Discipline
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the relationship between routines and rituals—two expressions of the same quiet force we call tapas in Sanskrit. Discipline. Perhaps not the most seductive word, but essential. Without it, there is no freedom. Ritual and routine are like the daily stitches in the larger fabric of our lives.
Small acts, repeated over time, accumulate into something meaningful. Like writing a little each day, and suddenly finding yourself with a book. My own gateway into Ayurveda – besides food – was the morning routine. Over a decade later, these gentle rituals remain one of the most potent tools I have for aging gracefully. They help me stay resilient and recover more quickly, especially now that I’ve added weight training to my practice. Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic oil massage, has become my secret weapon against soreness.
Through my Katonah Yoga Teacher Abbie Galvin I incorporated the concept of rituals even deeper. The discipline of home practice plays an important role in this framework of yoga. Abbie repeatedly said: “You need to set-up the right conditions to bring yourself to the mat”. Discipline, routines or rituals they all need a dedicated place in your home, it can be a small nook where you put your mat or your mediation cushion. To be disciplined you need to have the tools ready in your bath room, and it needs to smell nice, because you have to lure yourself into doing the pracitce. Otherwise your mind will easily talk you out of it. Because the mind is distracted. Also kids, husbands, partners or pets may get in the way. Setting up a specific time each day and telling your family it’s your “me-time” are also key. Therefore structure and time are also playing a huge role in creating better habits on a daily basis. In short reorganizing one’s spaces to work to your advantages is key. Otherwise you’ll always stay stuck in the same old patterns, because we are used to.
Being the nerd that I am, I’ve explored ayurvedic and yogic morning practices deeply over the years —diving into the Vedic texts, comparing them with yogic Shatkarmas, and refining them over the years with the guidance of my teachers in India. Because there is a why a purpose behind those rituals and a logic. We in the west quickly distort the ancient practices, make it a “lifestyle” thingy, but it’s really just a way of being without any fuzz.
If you are interested in this topic, and want to use them to your advantage I’m offering a workshop that brings these ancient practices into a modern light. We’ll explore the spectrum of Dinacharya, the Ayurvedic daily rhythm, and tailor a morning ritual that truly works for you.
Join me at the serene Cal Reiet Holistic Retreat for a full-day immersion—including a rejuvenating Hammam session and a gorgeous vegan lunch. The group will be small, to keep the space intimate and personal. It could be a beautiful opportunity to come with a friend—or even as a mother-daughter moment, just ahead of Mother’s Day. Contact me if you have any questions.
