Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, morning yoga can bring out the bright-eyed and bushy side of everyone. Yoga sets a positive accent for the day, keeping your energy and metabolism going. If you wake up groggy, don’t worry; you can function as much as you want. All you have to do is roll out your mat and make your workout a priority. Once you get into the habit of waking up and exercising early, your body will adjust to the changes and you’ll start feeling more energized. So before you go for your coffee, consider walking up to your mat and taking a moment to check it out. At the very least, it will make you think twice.
natural energy boost
natural energy boost
So what if I told you that morning exercise can reduce your need for caffeine? Good news, it’s true! Yoga has a unique ability to meet exactly what the body needs; it can be calming and wonderfully therapeutic, or it can be challenging and exhilarating. Repeated sun salutations, backbends and twists are a natural source of energy without all the post-coffee shakes. The yogic breathwork associated with our movement energizes the mind and body. Together, these actions further awaken our physical and mental levels, providing a heightened sense of focus that lasts throughout the day. From a scientific point of view, movement of the body requires cellular movement and replenishment through oxygenation. You’ll feel microscopically rejuvenated long after your coffee, so say goodbye to that expensive double mocha latte.
start your metabolism
start your metabolism
Anyone who loves food enjoys a little metabolism boost first thing in the morning, so I imagine most people would be fine with this. Twists are especially good for squeezing the abdominal organs and promoting detoxification, but any pose that sparks our inner fire can do the trick. If you’re feeling bloated from last night’s dinner, this could be your ticket to digestive bliss. This internal massage improves blood circulation and improves the efficiency of the absorption of nutrients from food. Which means all those green smoothies don’t come for free, every bit of kindness directly nourishes our whole being.
better sleep
better sleep
The thought of setting your alarm early can seem daunting, but once you get into the habit of doing morning yoga, your body will crave that morning. It can be tempting to stay up for an extra episode when you have no reason to get up, but yoga can be a great motivator for an early bed. As you begin to adjust to this new sleep cycle, you’ll find it easier to fall and stay asleep, and wake up refreshed and ready to tackle whatever throws your way. Certain poses even stimulate the body’s natural release of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep patterns. While it’s no secret that getting enough sleep is essential to our overall health, exercising early in the morning is just a great way to get the extra rest most people need.
Set the right tone for your day
Set the right tone for your day
By starting your day with physical activity, you’re sending a message to the rest of your body that self-care is important. This mindset will stay with you throughout the day, leading to healthy and empowering choices to flourish. Cravings for healthy foods, relationships, and activities will overwhelm the urge to form unhealthy habits. It is very beneficial to set an intention before practicing yoga and to bring it into practice throughout the practice. This intention can influence the rest of your day and provide the motivation you need to achieve your goals. Starting your day with yoga means starting your day by developing breath awareness and self-care. You may have a hundred things on your to-do list, but when you set the tone with nourishing postures and breathing exercises, you’re more likely to approach any situation with a calm, focused mind.
check in time
check in time
Morning is the precious time when the veil between the “being” realm of our sleep and the “doing” realm of everyday life is at its thinnest. This time requires an introspective look at our existence and allowing an inner dialogue to flourish. We take care of our inner world before directing our energy outward, which benefits ourselves and others. It’s easy to ignore what’s going on inside of us, but acknowledging our state of being benefits not only ourselves, but those around us as our mindfulness increases. Start the day by cultivating positivity in yourself, and in turn, those around you will be more positive.
create routine
create routine
Establishing a regular routine is usually most effective when done in the morning. Excuses are limited, the world is quiet, and there are no unexpected obstacles that might steal your mat time. A sense of accomplishment and achievement accompanies disciplined morning practice and inspires practice the next day. Plus, scheduling yoga at the same time each morning simplifies the purpose of your practice and builds confidence for the rest of the day. Regular morning yoga can help create a healthy, sustainable routine that can profoundly impact your quality of life. That alone is enough to incorporate some sun salutations before breakfast.
increase mindfulness
increase mindfulness
In this busy world, it’s not uncommon for us to be actively doing something while our minds are far away,