Morning yoga is an excellent way to start the day. Our bodies undergo fundamental internal and external changes while we sleep.
Yoga in the morning will help you increase flexibility, and improve circulation and other benefits. Here are some poses that every morning yogi should incorporate into their practice.
Finding balance is an important aspect of yoga. Begin by centring yourself with a morning practice and preparing for the day ahead. When we get caught up in the stresses of life, this consistency helps to establish a healthy rhythm for the rest of the day.
Sukhasana (Easy Pose)
For beginners, this is an absolutely superb evaluation stance. Sitting on the floor allows you to stretch your back and relieve tension by improving flexibility.
This is how you do it:
- Place your hands on your knees and sit cross-legged on a yoga mat.
- Straighten your spine as much as possible, and press your pelvic bones into the floor.
- Take a deep breath and close your eyes.
Cat-Cow
Cat-Cow is a yoga pose that can help alleviate back pain. It stretches and wakes up the spine, causing it to expand and become more flexible. Repeat 5–10 times more.
How to do it:
- Place your hands directly beneath your shoulders and your knees directly beneath your hips on your mat while on all fours.
- Lean forward with your hands shoulder-width apart, evenly distributing your weight between them.
- Inhale, arch your back, lowering your chin to your chest like a cat, and feel the stretch from your neck to your tailbone.
- Drop your back all the way to a scoop shape as you exhale, lifting and tilting your head back.
Vrkasana (Tree Pose)
You can extend your entire body from your heels to the tips of your fingers in this posture. It also aids in the improvement of your balance.
This is how you do it:
- Assume a standing position that is upright. Raise your right leg and place your hands in a prayer position over your head. As you bend forward from the hips, keep that leg raised.
- Bring your left knee to your left side and place your left foot against your right inner thigh. Hold this position for 30 seconds before repeating with the other leg.
Pose of the Downward Facing Dog
This posture improves overall flexibility and helps to decompress the spine. It also sculpts the legs and opens the shoulders while toning the arms. Hold for five breaths between sides, or for longer if you want more strength.
How to do it:
- Begin by placing your palms down on the mat in front of you, slightly in front of your shoulders.
- Put your knees directly under your hips on the ground, then exhale as you lift your knees off the ground and lift your buttocks and hips toward the ceiling.
