5 Benefits of Morning Yoga
I have been practicing yoga with some breaks for over ten years now and started making it a daily home exercise practice three years ago. In those three years, a short yoga session in the morning has become part of my morning routine and it is so strong that when I don’t do it, I feel a little beside myself and my body feels just not quite right. It has become my mental tooth brushing and it is absolutely wonderful. So, to cut to the chase right away, let me lay out some of the benefits of morning yoga below.
You spend some quality me-time and show up better for others
Even if it is only a few minutes or a few sun salutations every morning – You are doing something for yourself before the day even started and other people are requesting your attention. It is so important to get to spend sometime on your own and in silence as this is when we can truly listen to our needs and feelings. If you have a healthy, soothing, and slow start into your day, you will be able to show up for others in a more present and helpful way.
It helps you to wake up naturally
Hold on. You could just take a cold shower to wake up, right? Or drink two cups of coffee. Why yoga? The up and down movements, the upside-down poses, the stretches of your spine, arms, and legs, digestive tract, as well as the necessary balance and focus boost your circulation, making the blood and oxygen literally wake up your brain, muscles, and all the other good things. In that sense, it can actually be a great and healthy alternative to caffeine.
It makes you more present at work
The breath work that you do during yoga calms down your nervous system, allowing you to go through the day with a more responsive instead of reactive approach. This can save you from saying things or sending emails which you regret later on or from diving down an emotional spiral when triggered by colleagues, managers or others. Even if you only do a few minutes every morning, the physical and mental focus that you train through yoga will help you to focus better at work.
It reduces your stress levels
Especially, when you work from home, work seems to always lurk around the corner, challenge you to be available non-stop and knock on the door of your mind constantly. Morning yoga can help you to be in the moment instead of thinking about work from the minute you get out of bed. The reality is, of course, that you most likely WILL think about work during your yoga session or the savasana exercise which can be stressful in itself, but don’t punish yourself for that. As you notice that your thoughts have drifted off to work-related issues, gently nudge your mind to return to your breath alone. It is only natural that your thoughts drift off but by practicing to accept this reality and to ground yourself in your present moment without any judgment can become very helpful during your day. Deadlines, meetings and stressful work relationships can also be dealt with through yoga as the calming effects help you silence the noise of work and make good decisions. Having your body and mind in balance can truly work wonders.
It helps prevent some negative effects of long-term sitting
Research has shown that sitting down for a number of hours is actually just as bad as smoking and has a severe impact on your health which is why starting your day with movements that counteract these negative effects can be hugely beneficial for your wellbeing, motivation and health. Having moved to working from home during Corona times, many of us do spend a lot more time sitting than we used to so this applies especially in times like these. Maybe you don’t have access to a high-quality office chair, wrist support or stand-up desks, but morning yoga can help you to relax your body, reduce or even diminish back pains, and strengthen your posture (sitting and standing).
