I'm a big fan of Yoga with Adriene and Ekhart Yoga, but I liked trying out different channels to find new videos worth adding to my yoga playlist. My most frequent searches included "energizing morning yoga," "yoga for core strength," and "yoga for runners," and there was no shortage of routines to choose from. Most mornings, I turned to YouTube to find a 25- to 40-minute video that would serve my needs. I'm familiar enough with yoga to go with my own flow, but I still prefer to zone out and listen to instruction from a teacher.
It didn't matter to me if I managed to do a full 45-minute flow or just one simple sun salutation, as long as I was on my mat. Keeping in mind that my sleepy muscles wouldn't be as limber as they would be during an evening session, I officially made it my goal to start each day with yoga for 2 weeks-and then, hopefully, beyond. I would just be sure to practice within the limits of the body at that particular time." "For most folks, places like the lower back, the shoulders, and the hips are a little tighter in the morning upon first waking. Aside from the struggle of, you know, actually waking up, Erickson says many people have a slightly smaller range of motion right after getting up. That's not to say AM yoga isn't without its challenges.
MORE: 5 Easy Recipes For Your Perfect Day Of Weight Loss I figured it would be far easier to focus on my practice before breakfast than after work when the only thing that's on my mind is what's for dinner.
"Also, by practicing first thing in the morning, there are no distractions or tasks that will get in the way."Ĭlearly, she hasn't met my cats (aka Distraction #1 and Distraction #2), but I see her point. "Setting up a regular morning practice is beneficial because it creates a ritual-it sets the tone for the day," says Julie Erickson, owner of Endurance Pilates and Yoga Studio in Boston. With the plan in Walk Your Way to Better Healthfrom Prevention, you can fire up your metabolism and shed stubborn pounds. (A regular walking routine is another good habit to form. I was never a morning yoga-doer before, but it's a habit I've always wanted to get into since it all but ensures you'll actually hit the mat. Ever since moving last summer-and saying good-bye to the studio where I was a member-my mat has spent most of its time rolled up in the corner of my living room. Plus, I've been meaning to return to a regular practice. Studies suggest that doing yoga can relieve anxiety and make you more flexible, and since I'm a high-strung person with a running habit (and subsequently, tight muscles), I could use both of those benefits. In an attempt to ease into my day more mindfully, I decided to work yoga into my morning routine. MORE: I Banned The Snooze Button For A Week, And This Is What Happened The problem is, this constant go-go-go often puts me into a frantic state long before I've even written my day's to-do list at work. If I do manage to get up at the sound of my first alarm, I go for a run and then hurry about as usual. Although I hit the snooze button at least three times most days, once I'm out of bed I hurtle through my morning routine and speed walk the entire 15 minutes it takes for me to get to the office. Rushing is my natural rhythm, even when I try to slow down.