Blush of Dawn
Morning yoga practice is the most delicious experience ever. Just the thought of waking up early to celebrate the dawn through “prayer in motion” is a true delight. But this sweetness comes with a grain of salt. What if, you went to bed late last night and feel cranky? What if, your body is stiff and doesn’t feel like snaking into up dog and down dog? What if, you have a hectic day ahead and you just want to snooze through this last hour before the alarm rings? What if, you don’t want to skip breakfast before you dash out for work!
True, “IF” is the middle word of “LIFE”, however, a regular morning yoga practice strengthens our will to tame the “ifs” and not get sucked into a whirlwind of external excuses. By cultivating the discipline to get up early and commit to a well-rounded hygiene of asana, conscious breathing and positive affirmations we already set the mood for a fruitful day. And of course, there will be days when the “ifs” prevail and we won’t be able to complete our routine, but we can still be mindful even as we ride the train, as we walk to our office, as we greet the day with a sense of awe and appreciation. Perhaps, the best reason to rise early in the morning is to absorb the massive emissions of “prana” (life force) that are released at dawn, when the body is fresh and the mind has very few impressions. The ancient yogis believed that besides balancing the entire psycho-physical system a consistent early morning “sadhana” (practice) stimulated the body’s natural ability to heal itself by boosting the self-regulatory mechanisms and promoting the energetic flow. As a result of the practice the body emitted its genuine radiance, producing an electromagnetic fluid that clothed the practitioner in a sheath of protection and integrity.
Today, we know that this one hour morning introspection is our only time to commune with our self, set our mind to embrace the lessons to come, and open up to a positive unfolding of the day. Every morning at day break we have the unique opportunity to rise with the sun, to refresh our mind, to recharge the system and tune to the promise of an enlightened day. It is a form of quiet rebirthing. It has been nineteen years now that I’ve paid homage to the blush of dawn, waking up to salute the sun and revere the moon. This journey home has helped me treat limitations as possibilities, challenges as opportunities. I have cultivated patience and resilience, attained calm and equanimity. It has been a fascinating experience to watch the body mature, to see the spirit blossom, to observe the mind as it breaks away from the brain traffic and stills down. I believe the most important ingredient to a healthy, life-long morning practice is edge playing. You have to know when and where to push and when to let go. It’s a fine line, as you feel inclined to try harder and achieve more. There is no real outcome in Yoga, every morning is a goal in itself. As you surrender to this free play you gradually stop wanting to contort into poses and assume shapes, but instead tap a current of intelligence that makes your mind flexible and your body lucid. A natural state of osmosis ensues and the organic assimilation of ideas, knowledge and perennial wisdom is unleashed. Humility and compassion are vital for honoring this state of wisdom. Creativity and innovation are essential for maintaining the spark of an inspiring practice. Map your routine carefully, but be ready to improvise as day breaks and surfs you through an unchartered journey into the many facets of yourself. It is the blush of your dawn, rise and shine with it!
Morning Yogea Routine: Blush of Dawn (open level)
This fast-paced morning Yogea sequence is especially designed to warm up the entire body, stretching the ligaments and tendons, lubricating the joints, toning the muscles and massaging the organs. The poses are intentionally held shorter, so that a sense of flow is generated and the body receives a total boost. The practice starts with a couple of Qi-Gong exercises to anchor into the center and warm up the hamstrings, shoulders and back. Modified Sun Salutes alternating between externally rotated and neutrally tilted poses stabilize the core and increase flexibility in motion. Hip and shoulder openers pave way for deeper glute stretches and bound spinal twists. The quads are simultaneously stretched and toned as the sides of the waist are elongated. Plane and weight shifts facilitate smooth transitions and create a sense of fluid roots. Moderate backbends stretch the spine and open the heart, and deep twists massage the inner organs to release the toxic residue from the night. Gentle inversions awaken the circulatory flow and oxygenate the brain. The sequence does not offer a wind-down or a relaxation pose at the end. It ends in a standing mountain pose to encourage the practitioner to be present and awake.
Leave a Reply