Your mindset at the beginning of your day will sway how you approach everything the day has to offer.
This can seem like a lot of pressure to put on your groggiest few hours, or even your most hated hours of the day, but just making slight changes to your routine can make a world of difference.
We all have different morning routines, yours could be reaching for your phone and reading up on the news. Maybe your routine is immediately pouring yourself a cup of coffee, or maybe you even like heading to the gym and getting your workout in.
Whatever your morning looks like, we have a feeling yoga can help you improve it. The best part? All it needs is 5-10 minutes of your morning to be effective. Here are 3 suggestions from us to you.
1. Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations)
What better way to start the day than with some sun salutations? We know we promised you 4 individual yoga poses, but we’re starting off with a series of yoga poses that are intertwined and great for beginners and seasoned yogis alike.
The 12 poses the Surya Namaskar involves will get your blood circulating and stretch your muscles out, so you feel refreshed and ready for your day.
This pre-set order is a great way to start your morning because it’s a meditative practice that helps you clear your mind. That means you also get some of the benefits of meditation like getting your breathing in sync with your movement and sharpening your focus. This is all while you continue to keep your joints and spine healthy and stronger by the day.
2. Balasana (Child’s pose)
If you want to start your morning off on a relaxing note and prepare yourself for a hectic day ahead, then Balasana or Child’s pose may hit the mark.
It can help you increase blood circulation to your head and shake off any stiffness in your joints and muscles by gently stretching your spine, hips, ankles, and thighs. Feeling tense? This yoga pose can alleviate tension all over your body from your lower back muscles and hamstrings to your chest and shoulders.
Staying in a child’s pose while you practice some breathing exercises will also help you calm your mind and manage your anxieties. There are several variations of this pose so feel free to try them on for size before landing on the one you want to start your mornings with.
3. Parsva Balasana (Thread the
Needle)
If you’re headed to the office, threading the needle may be just the stretch you need. Your nine to five may have you sitting in a stationary pose for hours at a stretch, which can leave you feeling stiff and sluggish.
A Thread the Needle pose is the yoga equivalent of wringing yourself out and can be a super satisfying way to start your mornings. It’s especially great for your upper body i.e., your chest, arms, back, neck, and shoulders. All the places you’ll probably store your stiffness and tension on busy days.
If you’re worried about your posture, starting the day with this relaxing spinal twist that engages your entire upper half will help you change that.
Whether you choose to start your mornings with yoga, end your evenings with it, or practice some poses a few times a week, yoga can have incredible benefits on your body and lifestyle.
How do you like starting your mornings? Tell us all about it in the comments.