Krama in My Daily Life: Showering as Ritual
Krama = The intentional sequence in which you do something.
(KR-AH-MA)
We are talking about Krama people, not Karma! Totally different terms! I began my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at the very beginning of June, and admittedly, I wasn’t able to define “krama” on my own at that point... Now, over a week later, yoga texts and google consulted, I not only have the ability to create my own definition off-hand based on what I now know, but I now have an understanding of how so many yogic terms fit into my life already! Almost every week, we write a one-page reflection on a specific topic — this week’s was 🥁🥁🥁 KRAMA.
Krama in My Daily Life: Showering as Ritual
As I grow and establish my own rhythms and routines, I've begun to see my shower as a form of self-care, a ritual with an intentional sequence. Of all the regular habits I perform with krama, showering feels like one of my most tangible examples.
To me, krama isn't about doing the same thing every time—it's about intentional movement through a sequence, adjusting as needed within the moment. Much like how an asana practice shifts, so does my shower routine. I can often tell how I'm tending to my mind, emotionally and spiritually, based on how well I'm caring for my body in self-care.
When I take a full, self-care-centered shower, I begin by adjusting the water to the perfect temperature. I pull up the silver knob and let the warm water begin to stream down. If the weather is nice, I open the small window in my bathroom to let in the fresh air and the ambient sounds of Brooklyn streets below.
Once in the shower, I wet my hair and lather in rosemary and mint shampoo—a longtime favorite. I massage my scalp with my fingertips, starting at the base of the skull, moving up through the crown, around the temples and ears, and then back down again. I follow with a soft rubber spiked tool, circling around my hairline and across the crown. After rinsing out the shampoo, I apply conditioner to the ends, raking my fingers through, then brush from root to tip with a wide-tooth comb.
Next, I lather Dr. Bronner’s lavender body wash into a bamboo loofah and scrub in circular motions, guiding strokes toward lymphatic drainage points. After rinsing, I take a few moments for medical self-checks, including a breast exam—especially important given my family history. I finish with a gentle face wash, massaging the skin with my fingertips and knuckles before rinsing one final time. I allow myself to pause under the steady stream, eyes closed.
Of course, not every shower follows this full sequence. Some are short and functional, while occasionally I also add extra steps like shaving.
What makes this process a reflection of krama is the care I bring to each stage, no matter how simple or involved. It’s not just the routine itself, but the awareness of sequence and the responsiveness to what serves me in the moment. Practicing krama in this way teaches me to meet my yoga practice with the same mindset—that showing up with presence and intention is more important than perfection. Whether I do ten minutes of breathwork or hours of movement, the value lies in my intentional thought and growth in my body. I listen for what my body and breath ask for, and I respond accordingly.
