Replenish your mind, body and soul with these daily routines and rituals

Harper’s Bazaar: What inspired you to write Ritual?

Vasudha Rai: I have always been into rituals, because, for me, they work as an escape. After writing [my first book] Glow, I realised that it is not about how you eat, but more importantly, how you live. Especially post-Covid, all of us have realised the importance of daily routines. We now know that following the circadian rhythm is the best thing you can do for your health. With Ritual, I wanted to take away the banality of routine life and add some magic to it.

HB: What made you delve into the world of natural energies to maximise wellness?

VR: Everything is energy—whether it’s the energy you get from people or give back, what you put into a project, or the vibration with which you go through your daily life. Of course, one can’t force oneself to have high energy all the time, which is why Ritual hopes to bring about a balance of these energies. For instance, when you feel depleted, sound healing and yoga nidra can help you relax. If you want to feel energetic in the morning, a breathing practice called surya bhedna can increase your energy and help you stay active. Journaling can help release negative energy. So, based on one’s lifestyle, energy work through wellness practices can truly enhance your quality of life.

HB: The book is a collection of sun and moon rituals. How did you zero in on the practices?

VR: By trying them all! I have been practising different rituals for over a decade... The book is about the sun and moon, about the actual day and night, or the yin and yang within us. I wanted to write about rituals that honour these opposite forces.

HB: Tell us about the rituals you have personally benefited from.

VR: Firstly, massage. Face massage is something I practice every day; it keeps my skin taut and sculpted. While promoting the book, I was drawn towards sound healing as it helps me unwind. I also love navel therapy in the evening, especially during winter, as it really nurtures the skin from within and feels extremely comforting. And finally, journaling...it has allowed me to let go of negative energy.

HB: What advice would you give to beginners?

VR: This book is written for beginners...it will guide you to gain a deeper understanding of your body. I would recommend reading the chapters about body clocks to understand how your body functions. Then, find one ritual that you feel like doing at a particular time—don’t try everything at once. Or, you could try a few and then stick to the one ritual that suits you. Like the Chinese say: ‘Don’t wear too many hats at once’. 

The easiest rituals to follow are the ones that can be performed while sitting on a chair—there are certain chair yoga poses that are perfect for when you are feeling tired at work. There is sound healing, which you can try before bedtime. I would also recommend breath work, which can be either an energising or calming practice, depending on the technique that you choose.

HB: Lastly, exhaustion is something most of us deal with. How can Ritual help one relieve mental and physical fatigue in order to feel relaxed and rejuvenated?

VR: The entire Moon section of Ritual is dedicated to relieve mental and physical fatigue. The focus pillar in the moon section also has some mudras, infusions, and practices that will help energise you during a mid-day slump.