Wake up Practice

Although we enjoy beginning the day with the traditional Sun Salutation (surya namaskar), there are endless morning yoga sequences to energize the mind and body and help cultivate a meaningful intention for your day. Start your day with this 15-minute practice of conscious breathing and gentle movement to create connection with self, ease into the body and encourage clarity of mind.

Begin on your mat in any comfortable seated position. Allow your eyes to close and hands to connect at heart center. Bring your awareness to your breath without judgement. Simply witness the breath for 10-15 full breath cycles. On an inhale, shift your weight to your knees and shins, and on an exhale settle into a tabletop position. Breathe in while lifting your gaze and tailbone, allowing your ribs to sink down toward the mat. Breathe out as you begin to round the spine allowing the head and tailbone to hang heavy toward the floor. Repeat this breath and movement 5-10 times.

Tuck your toes, and begin swinging the hips in a circular motion to the right, shifting to the left for an equal amount of hip circles. Breathe and move intuitively here until you are ready to return to tabletop. Press firmly into your hands to lift the knees from the floor, pushing thighs and legs back to a downward facing dog position. Pedal the feet here to stretch the calves by bending one knee at a time. Settle into stillness, and take 5-10 breath cycles. Begin walking your feet toward your hands, or hands toward feet, to come to a forward folding position. Relax here for 3-5 cycles of breath. On an inhale, bend your knees and reach your arms out to the sides and then overhead as you come to a standing position.

Stand here in Mountain pose (Tadasana) for 5 breath cycles with arms at your sides. Maintain stability on all four corners of your feet while engaging your leg muscles to ground and center. Join your hands once again at heart space. Bring to mind one thing you would like to say yes to and one thing to decline creating space for to add ease and opportunity in your day ahead.