### Energizing Morning Yoga
Goal: To invigorate the body and mind, preparing you for the day ahead with a series of yoga poses that enhance circulation, flexibility, and balance.
Daily Benefits: Starting your day with a yoga session can significantly impact your mental clarity and physical well-being. It increases blood flow, wakes up the muscles, and helps set a positive tone for the rest of the day. This practice also aids in stress reduction, improving focus and concentration.
Yoga Warmup
- Gentle Neck Stretches
Instructions: Sit in a comfortable position. Slowly tilt your head to one side, bringing the ear towards the shoulder until a stretch is felt. Repeat on the other side.
Equipment used: None
Duration: 2 minutes
Muscles worked: Neck muscles
Main Yoga Poses:
- Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar)
Instructions: A sequence of 12 powerful yoga poses that provide a good cardiovascular workout and are a great way to warm up the body.
Equipment used: None
Duration: Repeat the sequence 4-5 times
Muscles worked: Full body
Click here to get an instructional video for this exercise - Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)
Instructions: From standing, step one foot back and bend your front knee to a 90-degree angle, keeping your back leg straight. Raise your arms above your head, palms facing each other. Repeat on the other side.
Equipment used: None
Duration: Hold for 30 seconds on each side
Muscles worked: Legs, arms, back
Click here to get an instructional video for this exercise - Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
Instructions: Stand on one leg, place the sole of the other foot on your inner thigh or calf, avoiding the knee. Bring palms together in front of your chest or raise them above your head.
Equipment used: None
Duration: Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side
Muscles worked: Legs, core, balance
Click here to get an instructional video for this exercise
Cool-Down
- Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
Instructions: Sit with your legs straight in front of you. Hinge at the hips and extend your torso over your legs.
Duration: Hold for 1 minute - Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
Instructions: Lie on your stomach, place your hands under your shoulders, and gently lift your chest off the floor.
Duration: Hold for 30 seconds
This Energizing Morning Yoga routine is perfect for waking up the body and mind, setting a positive and productive tone for the day. Regular practice can improve flexibility, strength, and mental focus.