Whether you leap out of bed without the assistance of an alarm clock or you hit snooze five times before you consider throwing off the sheets, morning yoga may be the game-changer you need. Stepping onto your yoga mat first thing can set the tone for your day and start your it on a positive note. Here are three of our favorite reasons to wake up and stretch.
1. Elevate Your Serotonin and Boost Your Mood
Yoga is a natural way to boost your mood and create a positive mindset. According to the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, “serotonin production plays a role in the treatment of depression. Serotonin is believed to play a major role in happiness.” Starting your day with even a short yoga class is a natural way to create a positive perspective for your entire day. Yoga is a practice of learning to control your busy mind and direct your attention where you want it to go and elevating your “feel good” hormones can help. Who doesn’t want to feel happier?
2. Kickstart Your Agni/Digestive Fire
Asana or physical postures don’t just build stronger muscles, enhance flexibility, and help with balancing on one leg (or both hands). One of yoga’s most powerful benefits is giving your internal organs a gentle massage, which stimulates healthy digestion. Seventy percent of your immune system resides in the gut. It’s vital to keep your digestion flowing freely to move toxins efficiently through your body. A stagnant system makes you feel heavy and sluggish and can become a breeding ground for dis-ease. Twists like Ardha Matsyandrasana (Half-Lord of the Fishes) and forward-folds like Paschimottanasa (Seated Forward Fold) compress and stimulate your stomach, intestines, and more. Stoke your Agni or digestive fire first thing and aid your metabolism all day long!
3. Put on Your Oxygen Mask First
When you take the time to practice yoga in the morning, you’re practicing self-care. Most of us lead busy lives and often expend tons of energy taking care of other people, whether at work or at home. Sometimes, we forget to refill our own wells and end up feeling burned out. A regular practice balances us out, internally and externally and enables us to show up as our best selves.
This week, try these classes designed specifically to practice first thing in the morning before the craziness of the day unfolds. You’ll ensure you’re setting yourself to have a great day, no matter what!
Morning Flow - Katy Bateman
Weekly Yoga Series - Morning Yoga - Sarah Shannon
Gentle Joint Release - Caitlin Rose Kenney
Love Your Alarm Clock - Celest Pereira