Surya Snan – Sun Bathing in the Morning Light
One of the most healing, nourishing, and completely free Ayurvedic rituals you can offer your body is Surya Snan, sunbathing during the early morning hours.
This simple practice of Abhyanga with coconut oil and stepping outside to greet the sun is more than just a way to get Vitamin D into your body; it’s a sacred communion with light, prana, and the rhythm of life itself.
According to Ayurveda, the kapha time of day, from 6am to 10am, is when the sun's rays are infused with vitality but still gentle on the body. This window is especially precious: the golden light is soft, sattvic, and full of life force. Just 20 minutes is enough to awaken your system, lift your mood, and restore balance.
The early morning sun helps set your circadian rhythm, your body’s natural clock that governs sleep, hormone production, digestion, and energy levels. When your skin and eyes (without sunglasses) absorb these first rays, your pineal gland receives the signal to regulate melatonin, the hormone responsible for deep sleep. In other words, exposure to the morning sun can help you sleep better at night.
The sun also activates the synthesis of Vitamin D, which is essential for the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and zinc, crucial minerals for maintaining healthy bones, hormones, and immunity. When you bask in the early light, you’re not just warming your skin, you’re tuning your entire system to nature’s rhythm.
In Ayurveda, Surya (the Sun) is a form of the divine. Sunbathing is not merely for health, it is a spiritual act of receiving solar intelligence, warmth, clarity, and power. It’s especially helpful for:
Osteoporosis / Osteopenia
Arthritis and joint pain
Inflammatory skin conditions
Low energy or burnout
Depression, grief, or emotional heaviness
Insomnia or poor sleep cycles
How to practice Surya Snan:
Rise with the sun or soon after
Gently warm a little coconut oil (or sesame oil if you feel the cold) and massage it into your skin
Step outside and allow yourself to receive the sun’s touch, ideally on bare skin, naked if possible
Soak up the rays for 10–20 minutes, then shower if needed, or let the oil absorb for longer.
This ritual is especially powerful in summer when the sun is strong and the days are long. Coconut oil is naturally cooling and balances pitta, making it ideal for most body types during warmer months. If your constitution tends toward vata or you live in a cooler climate, you might opt for sesame or almond oil instead.
If you would like to explore more soul-centred healing rituals, please get in touch.