How to Use Yoga to Start the Day

Daily morning yoga helps start the day physically and mentally relaxed, centered and balanced. Morning yoga requires less than 20 minutes to start the day. People are more likely to continue the practice daily because of the results with little investment of time. Develop and maintain a daily morning yoga practice.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Attend a local class first for ideas. Ask the instructor to check the poses used in yoga.

2. Buy a specialty morning yoga video, featuring a brief (approximately 20 minutes) guided session. Use a CD of relaxing or eastern spiritual music instead of a video.

3. Set up a dedicated space for yoga. Leave the mat or blanket out, along with any DVDs, music or supplies.

4. After getting out of bed, go straight to the yoga area to begin daily practice. Do yoga first to avoid distractions, procrastination or other priorities.

5. Begin in Sukhasana, or a seated, cross-legged meditation pose with the palms together in prayer position. Pay close attention to your breathing. Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale fully, while moving through each pose. Breath loudly, using the throat.

6. Slowly move through a sun salutation of yoga postures: mountain, hands-up, head-to-knees, lunge, plank, stick, upward-facing dog, down dog, lunge, head-to-knees, hands-up, mountain (see Resources).

7. Take a long bath or leisurely cup of green tea before rushing off to work or errands. Gradually re-enter your daily routine to make the most of morning relaxation and centering.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a shorter version of your daily morning yoga practice if you wake up late. Don't skip yoga completely. Shorten other elements of your morning routine to make room for a brief 5 to 10 minute session.
• Wake up earlier than your children, or ask your spouse to tend to babies and children while you focus on yoga. Or have your family join in, using yoga postures that are child-friendly, such as downward dog, bridge, mountain, upward-facing dog and plank.
• Take a shower or eat breakfast first to completely wake-up if absolutely necessary. Your morning yoga session doesn't make you sweat.
• Attend a local class prior to beginning your at-home practice. Ensure you do the poses correctly.
• Take care when pregnant or menstruating. Avoid inversions and unsupported back bends.

Resources

• Yoga.com for yoga and daily morning ritual resources
• Yogasite for resources and posture information

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