Morning Routine
I have often been asked, “How do you start a yoga practice?” or “What do you do to really commit to your yoga practice, every day?”
My answer is almost always the same: create a routine for yourself.
Taking a step back for a minute. Let's talk about first setting up a space for your practice.
I call this place my “altar,” or “yoga nook,” or “yoga space."
Maybe it’s a space that you create through your own energy setting the intention for your practice when you roll out your mat, or maybe it’s a space that is set up to be left there.
A few reasons to create your yoga space:
- Motivation- that step we always think we need in order to do something. Something to motivate us to really do it! Having a space that is always there, ready to rock and roll can be a huge motivation and just what you need to give you that little push onto your mat as you walk by it each day.
- Consistency- it’s alway there, always ready for you to use. No matter what the weather, what you’re feeling like, how tired or not feeling well etc. it is a constant repetition. No excuses. It help to bring your practice into part of your routine, just by having this space.
- Inspiration- for your practice, your intention and even inspiration to take your yoga tools off the mat. Check out the list below to see some of the ideas that you could use to help bring this inspiration into your space.
Some things on our altar could include:
- Charged crystals to boost our practice
- Photos of loved ones, gurus or other inspirations
- Books and journals on yoga and your own thoughts before, during or after your practice
- Meditation pillow
- Sage/candles/oils/etc.
- Divine being to whom you pray
- Etc. (The opportunities are endless)
After you have created your yoga space, you are ready to create your routine. Not to mention, you are probably excited and inspired to creature your routine, after creating your space and visualizing all the transformative progress that will happen there.
Now, why a morning routine? Well, as beneficial as a night time routine is, (which I also recommend coming up with one of those as well- video to come in the future!) morning routines are a key place to start. They set the tone and intention for the entire day to follow and how you spend the first few moments in the morning can really affect how you spend the rest of your day and your state of mind for the rest of the day as well.
Waking up with exercise, self love and nourishment provides a strong foundation for your body and mind to stay focused, fueled, and at peace throughout daily challenges.
We have all heard there are scientific facts that prove exercise, breathing, and meditation can boost energy, overall mental health as well as physical and well-being. Having this boost at the beginning of the day is a super-natural wake up that our bodies sometimes call for in the morning.
Creating Your Morning Routine
Getting to actually organizing this routine. We follow the natural steps we already take in the morning.
1. Clean (Teeth/Tongue, Face, Body)
When we wake up we feel all the toxins coming out of the body. The body has cleansed itself and detoxified itself over night. Naturally, the first thing we do is clean.
2. Drink Water (Or Hot Water & Juice of Half a Lemon)
Next, hydrating and cleansing the system as the first thing to go into the body is a great way to start the day. Not only does it help get your metabolism going, but it helps your body flush out even more left over toxins.
3. Breathe/Meditate
After starting to fuel the brain in this way, it is time to bring our attention to the breath, helping us keep an even rhythm of inhales and exhales throughout the day. This can help us maintain a steady heart rate and keep us calm in stressful situations. Also, starting the day by bringing our awareness to the breath and present moment helps us to maintain this presence in the moments that follow, making sure you aren't missing out on the here and now!
4. Move
Once we've established our breath we can start to connect those inhales and exhales to small movements to help warm up the body. This part of your routine can change day to day and can range from as short to long, and gentle to intense, as your body is calling for. Really just focusing on anything that can get you moving in connection to your breath.
5. Nourish
One of the last things I recommend including in your routine is nourishing your body with fresh, healthy foods. This first meal can be very important in fuelling your body for the day. Someone once told me an analogy about eating throughout the day, in comparison to stoking a fire that has stuck with me. You add logs to start your fire, and over the hours, slowly add more logs onto the fire to keep it burning and stoked. So getting that fire built at the beginning of the day is definitely an energy-boosting way to start the day!
6. Gratitude
Finally, we can close our routine with a moment of gratitude for where we are, sharing some happy, loving thoughts with ourselves. This time could even include reading or journaling. It is a beautiful way to go forth into the day with a happy, loving mindset.
I hope you can all find some tools from this blog to start creating your own morning routine. Whether you are new to creating a Morning Routine or have an already loved routine, I know you too will be able to start your morning with a strong foundation, as well as happy and healthy intentions for the day ahead of you.
Please share your own experiences with Morning Routines, or a Morning Routine you follow in the comments below! We would love to hear from you!
Loving Kindness,
Meghan (meyogalune)
Namaste
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“Rising with the sun, every day.🌞
My morning routine has been a huge part of this journey and motivation to come back to the mat.
So many people have asked me ‘how do you start a yoga practice (and stick to it)?’
My answer is almost always the same: establish a routine for yourself. A ritual in and around your practice whether it be the space you're in, sounds or scents you add, a hot drink you enjoy after, etc. can be a motivating way to return to your practice each day.
A morning routine is an excellent idea because it can really set the tone for the rest of your day.
Why not start your day connected, calm, & loving!💖🙏”
(Source: @meyogalune)