Ayurveda for Happy and Healthy Kids with Dr. J (Pt. 2)

Welcome to Season 7 of Ojas Oasis! 

 In part two of this three part series, Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath (also known as Dr. J) and Sasha continue our exploration of Ayurveda for happy and healthy kids. In today's conversation, we focus on Vihara, which means lifestyle in terms of conscious or unconscious behavior, tendencies or hobbies, and Dinacharya, the Sanskrit word for ideal daily routines, which includes waking and sleeping times, oral and bodily hygiene, bowel illumination, self oil massage (abhyanga), exercise, meditation, prayer, and eating meals at regular times, all of which follow the circadian and seasonal rhythms. A key differential between Vihara and Dinacharya is that Dinacharya focuses on when and how you do the self-care rituals that optimize and regulate your life, while Vihara focuses on how you live overall: conscious or unconscious habits or hobbies you engage with throughout the day that impact your body and mind. 

Vihara and Dinacharya are both pillars of health in Ayurveda. Balancing both in a child's life supports healthy nervous system development, creative expression, emotional regulation, and physical resilience. In a world of overstimulation and technology continuing to advance at the speed of light, it has never been more important to balance the external environment with an internal environment that feels safe, nurturing, slow, and in sync with nature. These Ayurvedic principles offer a grounded, simple approach toward joyful, thriving childhood.

We also touch on the importance of these principles being applied in parents' lives as parents are the most influential, energetic imprint in a child's life. 

We highly recommend Dr. J's book The Parent's Complete Guide to Ayurveda: Principles, Practices, and Recipes for Happy, Healthy Kids, published by Shambhala in 2022, which you can find in stores and online. 

More about Dr. J here: https://www.keralaayurveda.us/wellnesscenter/our-team/jayarajan-kodikannath/

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