Late nights, stress, insomnia, and late-night television are just a few of the factors that keep us from getting the restful sleep we need to feel energized and ready for the day ahead. While you may reach for that steaming cup of coffee or tea to help you sluggishly start your day, there is a more effective and healthier way to get your blood pumping, your body oxygenated, and your spirit motivated. This is achieved through the practice of morning yoga.
A simple yet powerful breathing (pranayama) exercise accompanied by a modified sun salutation can energize your lungs, mind, and body, setting you up for a fabulous day ahead.
Energizing Breathing Exercise
Begin by standing up straight with your toes together and heels slightly apart. You want to feel your weight pressing down through the floor, engaging your thighs. Interlock all ten fingers and place your hand under your chin while keeping your spine straight.
Inhale for six seconds, elevating your elbows to their respective sides (eloquently demonstrated by yoga teacher Lauren Golen in the video below). This inhalation opens up the rib cage and lengthens the spine, allowing fresh oxygen to enter the lungs and promoting circulation in the upper back.
Exhale for six seconds, tilting your head back while keeping your hands in place and moving your elbows together. The exhalation opens the space around your scapula, stretching the rhomboids and other mid and upper-back muscles.
Remember to inhale through your nose, keeping your mouth closed, and exhale through your open mouth, making a “haaa” sound as you do so. Practicing ten sets of this breathing exercise is a fantastic way to energize your day.
Modified Sun Salutation
This modified sun salutation retains the backward and forward bending of the spine to help invigorate you in the morning and remove any stiffness. Begin by standing tall with your spine straight and feet together. Inhale as you bring your arms up over your head.
As you exhale, fold at your waist, keeping your spine straight and arms extending out to their sides before meeting down at the floor. Touch the floor with your hands if possible; if not, touch your shins. Try to pull your head towards your knees, with legs straight. If this is difficult, pull your head towards your bent knees.
Inhale as you lengthen your legs and spine out, so your body makes a number 7 with your hands on your shins. Exhale back down to the previous position. Inhale and repeat, this time bringing your hands to your waist and coming all the way back up while maintaining a straight spine. Raise your arms up over your head and lower them while exhaling.
Repeat this sequence for a total of five sets of this active stretch, or more if you’re feeling great while doing them. These three to five-minute yoga exercises can help kick-start your day, creating momentum and inspiration.
The Benefits of Morning Yoga
Incorporating these simple yoga exercises into your morning routine can provide numerous benefits, including:
– Reducing stress and anxiety
– Promoting more restful sleep
– Strengthening and toning muscles
– Improving posture and flexibility
– Recharging the mind and body
In conclusion, practicing these quick and easy morning yoga exercises is a healthier and more effective way to start your day compared to consuming coffee or tea. These yoga exercises offer an array of physical and mental health benefits, making it the perfect choice for an energy boost in the mornings. So why not give it a try and make morning yoga your new go-to energizer?
