Why morning yoga is the best yoga
Morning Yoga :- The best time to practice yoga, which offers the most significant benefits, is before breakfast first thing in the morning. This is not to say that going to yoga classes in the evening is not beneficial; some forms of yoga, such as calming and grounding Yin Yoga, are perfect for unwinding after a long and stressful day. But if you want to gain the most from your yoga practice, then developing a morning yoga routine is what you want to aim for.
There is some undeniable logic in this: when we warm up and stretch our tight muscles from lying for hours in bed, perform some deep abdominal breathing, lie serenely in savasana relaxation pose, and even possibly sit quietly and meditate – and all before breakfast – we are starting our day with a serious bang and carry all the positivity generated with us throughout the rest of our day.
This morning’s practice and the wonderful feeling it has consistently given me are what got me addicted to yoga. I was working in a demanding job and often woke up dreading going to work and facing stressful meetings or dealing with a large workload; I’m sure everyone has felt this feeling at some point. But when I began practising yoga, I soon understood that all I needed was my yoga mat and the motivation to get up a little earlier in the morning. I could profoundly impact the direction and quality of my day.
Morning Yoga
So you’re now going to tell me you’re not a morning person, right? Or do you have responsibilities such as children to get washed and dressed? Or perhaps it’s just too cosy staying in bed with your partner and having a little morning cuddle or possibly something more…well I’m not saying you have to give up or ignore these things (like you can ignore a crying baby, right!?). I’m not talking about a full-on yoga session like you might have at a yoga class. Your morning yoga routine can be as little as 10 to 15 minutes, and it will make a massive difference to the quality and direction of your day… don’t believe me? Try it out
Practice morning Yoga in our 4 day Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh
My usual routine is to warm up from the head down, including all the areas that get stiff in the night, like the neck, shoulders, hips and ankles; then, when I’m sufficiently warmed up, I do a few rounds of Sun Salutations that include forward and back bends, strengthening poses like Plank and Down Dog and other favourites like Cobra and Lunge. Sun Salutation has it all. It is performed in time with the breath and promotes deep abdominal breathing, which brings energy, calmness, and other mental benefits. Next, onto my back for a few leg raises to keep my core strong, perhaps a Bridge Pose to open the chest and lungs, followed by a twist and then ending with my all-time favourite of Shoulderstand to wash away the cobwebs and relax me… that’s usually it, 30 minutes and often less if I’m pushed for time.
The secret is regular morning practice. Whatever you can manage daily, even for only a few minutes, is best. Your whole being will respond with relish to the love you send through your practice, and your day will only improve. Why not try it? Let me know if it works for you.
