The night owls have a hard time rising with yoga. The early birds revel in it. I was an early bird, who turned into a night owl. I guess our needs shift depending on the stage of growth we’re in. My yoga teacher always told me: “Practice in the morning for health”, “Practice in the evening for flexibility and inner quiet”. It’s true, but in our busy lives, we always find excuses why not to practice in the morning or evening.

A morning practice is a matter of consistency. If you set your internal clock to wake up an hour before getting ready for work, you will create an inner craving in the body for the practice. It will demand the practice.  It will request the practice from you. Throughout the years I have found that rising with Yoga sets your day perfectly – aligning your intentions with your actions.  It also amps up all of your systems in the body – massaging all the organs and glands.

A simple breathing promotes circulation. A simple lunge awakens the legs. A simple bind opens the shoulders, and widens the chest – broadening your vision and scope. A simple back bend keeps you open to possibility.  A simple twist makes you curious to explore. A simple plank firms up the arms. You take Warrior 2 and you ground – finding your center to beam out your light. You slither into a cobra – to yield to the Earth and rise up to your vastness.

You recline in a pigeon – to open the hips, and find the seat of your soul. You merge hands in prayer – to bring balance and peace. You squat in a garland  – to reclaim your power. You are the Lord of the Fishes, the Lord of the Dancers, the rabbit, the cat, the archer, the lizard… You are Krishna and Vishnu. You are an eagle, a firefly, a dolphin, a camel, a GOD…You morph through all these poses to feel whole, to feel part of creation, to find your role.

If you look at the practice from this fun perspective, you realize that you embody so many forms, shapes and concepts in less than an hour. It’s such a cool role play which sets you right for the day, reminding you of your role and responsibilities, but also keeping you open to chance. I love this power surge in the morning. The system not only wakes up, it amps up all its functions. You get a healthy blush and glow.

Whenever I miss my morning practice for unforeseen reasons, I swing it in the evening. It’s a different way to revisit the day. But when find the time and consistency to rise with my morning yoga, I am bursting with energy, inspired to embrace the day – the lessons and wonders that it holds in store.

Exciting, and thrilling…Don’t hesitate to wake up tomorrow and rise to the new dawn, the new YOU.

Beginners Morning Yoga Routine: Amp Up

This well-rounded, beginners yoga practice warms you up for the day – giving a fresh boost to all your systems, organs and glands.