How to prepare your body, mind & soul

Preparing daily for your soul's journey through this material life. Chrstian's describe 7 suits of armor; Patanjali give's us eight Ashtangas.

Servings:

Before I even get out of bed, I do a yoga asana called Pavana Muktasana, hugging knees to chest, in the hopes of getting my bowels moving. (Let's just jump right into the nitty gritty facts!). I hate doing yoga asanas with a full large intestine!
If I am feeling a bit sluggish, I'll listen to a "pep talk" on Insight Timer just to get started on the right foot.
Once I'm up, I'll squat and drink a liter of water from a copper water bottle.
Then brush, & floss my teeth and scrap my tongue.
Jaal neti, using one cup of warm salted water for each nostril. Properly remove water from sinuses.
Rubber sutra neti, each nostril. With the little bit warm salted water left, I'll gargle and rince my mouth with it.
Garshana, dry brushing the skin wakes up every nerve ending! Love it! From toe to top.
Next, Abhyanga, a wonderful self-message with warm oil. I use a blend of sesame and coconut oils, with an essential oil for fragrance and dosha pacifying, plus a shot or two of high quality CBD oil for good measure.
Nose and ear drops before shower. I use desi cow ghee (warmed) to lubricate the nostrils after jaal neti; and for the ears, Karn Rakshak (warmed).
Ambient shower - when it's summer the water is warmer; when it's winter, the water is downright freezing! But that's the way it is. Mother Nature controls the temp of my showers. In the summer, I keep a gallon of water in the frig to pour over me for a final chill rinse!

This is the time to give a little prayer of thanksgiving. To remember people in your life, past or present; and appreciate with gratitude all that you have.

Sitting in a comfortable crosslegged position (I like Siddhasana) on the floor or bed. Do the following:
3 x 90 Kalpalabhati
10 rounds (1:2) of nadi shodhana (alternate nasal breathing.)
10 rounds of Omkara
10 rounds of Gayatri Mantra
Next, roll out the yoga mat for half hour or so of vinyasa/Hatha yoga asanas.
Asana yoga is followed by meditation for 30 - 60 minutes. For the 21 day lockdown, I've been doing guided Metta (loving compassion Buddhist) meditations with Ajahn Achalo on InsightTimer, sending love and compassion out into the world.