Yoga Poses to Start Your Day With

We’ve all had those days where laying in bed and getting swallowed by the covers sounds so much better than basically anything else. However, it’s been proven that starting your day off with a little exercise helps you to stay more focused, energized, and optimistic throughout the day. Now, if you got a little nauseous at the idea of exercising first thing in the morning, don’t worry you’re not alone; waking up and immediately doing jumping jacks and weight lifting is the last thing I want to do, but what about a nice yoga session to get your day started? Nothing too strenuous or sweat-breaking. Here is a list of yoga poses to do in the morning to start off your day right. 

Easy Seated Twist

Starting off with something super easy, we’ve got the seated twist. You can do this one on a yoga mat if you have one, but also, if you’ve just woken up, you can do this in bed, too! Sit with your legs crossed and your back straight. Relax your arms, and reach with your left hand to your right knee, gently grab your leg and and turn your body to the right. You should feel a deep stretch in your lower back and arms, opening up your body and awakening your muscles. After holding for fifteen to twenty seconds, let go, and repeat on the other side. 

Crescent Lunge Pose

Next, we’ve got something pretty familiar to most. The crescent lunge pose is a great way to wake yourself up and work your legs just a little bit, too. Start off standing straight and with your right leg take a big step forward. Bend your right knee until it represents a 45 degree angle. Straighten your chest, making sure that your bent knee doesn’t extend over your foot. Keep your left leg slightly bent with the ball of your foot on the ground and heel raised. Reach your arms straight above your head and hold for twenty seconds, repeating one more time. 

Spinal Twist

This one can be done on your bed too, if you would really like to, but gives a deeper stretch if done on the floor. Lay flat on your back with your legs and arms flat on the ground. Lift your left knee and bend it, bringing it close to your chest. With the help of your arms, bring that bent knee to the opposite side of your body, reaching over your right leg, which is still flat, until your knee touches the floor next to your right hip. Keep your back as flat and unmoving as possible; the goal of this is to feel the stretch in your lower back and leg, which can only be felt if you keep the rest of your body as unmoving as possible. After twenty seconds, release your leg, straighten it back out, and repeat with your other leg. If you feel your back crack, don’t worry, it’s natural!

Now that you know some morning stretches, you should have a much easier time getting up in the morning and preparing for the rest of your day. Starting off your day looking at your phone isn’t good for you, especially if the first thing you open is social media. Do ditch the phone and do a morning stretch!