A slow flow yoga practice has been a part of my morning routine for the past couple of months, and I’ve been loving it! So this week I’ve got another slow flow yoga class for you. But first, let’s talk about your morning routine!
I don’t know about you, but a good morning routine makes such a difference for the kind of day I have. It sets the tone for how I want my day to unfold, giving me the power to dictate how my day will go, rather than just letting the day happen to me.
So, what should your morning routine look like? Well, the good news is, there are no rules! Your morning routine can look however you want it to, as long as it’s intentional.
Below are some of the elements like to include in my morning routine. Some days I can get to all of them (magical days!), but most days I can only include one or two, and that’s ok!
Savor Your Cup of Coffee/Tea/Lemon Water
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but how often do you do it? I know, same here. The truth is, there are other elements of a morning routine that I prioritize over this, so I really only savor my morning cup of decaf on weekends.
But it can be a beautiful form of mindfulness meditation. I once took a series of mindfulness meditation classes, and this was one of our assignments. To sit with our cup of coffee (or tea – your morning beverage of choice), and savor every moment of it.
So starting with the eyes closed, and simply smelling it. Taking in the aroma and savoring that moment. Then taking a small sip, and feeling the sensation of the warm liquid inside the mouth. Following that sensation down the throat, and feeling as the warmth spreads into the chest.
It can really be a beautiful practice, and a lovely one to try if you don’t have time for a seated meditation practice! Which brings me to my favorite way to start the day…
Meditation
I don’t know if it’s because I’m usually a bit groggy first thing in the morning, but the first thing I usually want to do when I get up is close my eyes. I also like to get up before my fiance does, and there’s something about the quiet and stillness of the early morning hours that makes me want to get quiet and still as well.
Meditation is such a beautiful way to start the day because it gives you an opportunity to check in with yourself. To notice how your breath and body are feeling. To take stock of which emotions feel most prominent. This awareness allows us to head into our day more mindfully and intentionally.
Pranayama
Pranayama is commonly known as ‘breath work’, but the truth is, it’s deeper than that. Prana is our life force; it is the energy that animates us and everything else. Pranayama is the regulation of that life force through the use of the breath.
Practicing pranayama as part of a morning routine allows you to dictate what kind of energy you bring into the rest of the day. If you’re feeling a bit sluggish and want to pick up your energy levels, a more brisk pranayama will help. If you’re feeling a bit scattered and jittery, a calming, grounding pranayama will do the trick.
Pranayama is such a powerful practice. If you’re unfamiliar with it, I invite you to check out the Pranayama Guide.
Related: Pranayama Guide
Move Your Body!
Doesn’t matter how. Doesn’t matter where. Moving your body is the perfect addition to your morning routine. It gets the blood flowing, the heart pumping, and gets rid of any kinks you might have woken up with.
A few of my favorite ways to start my day with movement are yoga (duh), spin class, a group fitness class, or lifting weights. I like to mix them up on different days of the week, but when I’m really pressed for time, just 20 minutes on my yoga mat does the trick.
And even on the days when you don’t feel super energized, a slow flow yoga practice is more than enough. And that’s exactly what this week’s class is – a slow morning flow that you can add to your morning routine (and it’s just 20 minutes!).
Go ahead and unroll your mat and I’ll meet you there!
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