Rise & Shine-Start Your Day with Yoga & Meditation!
You awaken. There is quiet and stillness. The birds are singing, the sun is shining, and all is calm. This is the perfect time to take just a few minutes for yourself and add some meditation and yoga. Starting the day with these will help to reduce stress and prepare you to face your day with a sense of inner peace.
Meditation in the morning helps to ground you, unclutter the mind and helps you to feel more in control of your day. First, get into position:
*Keeping the back straight, sit comfortably in a relaxed position with legs crossed.
*Keep the head straight, slightly bent forward, keep the teeth slightly apart, the tip of the tongue against the upper pallet.
*Keep eyes half-open staring down past the tip of your nose (or close the eyes).
*Relax your shoulders and place your hands on your knees, palms facing up or hands in prayer position close to your heart/chest.
*Take slow breaths in through the nose and out.
*Visualize a scene in your mind that you find calming (maybe it’s feeling the warm sand under your body, listening to the sound of the birds, feeling the warm breeze on your skin, and the smell of the ocean air). Feel that serenity as you continue to breathe slowly for several minutes.
Next, add some simple yoga moves. You will be stretching your muscles, awakening your body, improving circulation. Here are some great poses to do in the morning:
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)
Combine meditation with the physical benefits of practicing yoga in the morning and you’re ready to rock your day!
May the Long Time Sun Shine Upon You,
All Love Surround You,
And the Pure Light Within You,
Guide Your Way On
~ Snatam Kaur