
Starting your morning with mindful stretching can set a positive tone for the day ahead. It’s not just about the physical benefits of stretching but also about creating a moment of calm and mindfulness in an otherwise chaotic morning routine. You can establish a productive and optimistic tone for the rest of your day by taking a few minutes to stretch your body and focus your thoughts.
1. Cat-Cow Stretch
- Start on your hands and knees with both shoulder-width apart
- Inhale as your arch your back, drawing the belly button towards the floor
- Lift your head and tailbone toward the ceiling
- Exhale as you round the spine, pressing your hands into the floor and chin towards your chest
- Repeat for a few rounds, syncing your breath with movement

2. Cobra Pose
- Lie face down with your palms placed on the floor alongside your shoulders
- Engage your legs and press the tops of your feet into the ground
- Inhale as you slowly lift your chest off the floor, keeping your shoulders back and elbows close to your body
- Exhale as you release back down to the floor
- Repeat for a few rounds, focusing on not straining your neck and lower back

3. Warrior II
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart, then step your left foot back about 4 feet
- Turn the back foot about 90 degrees
- Bend your right knee, stacking it over the ankle
- Raise your arms parallel to the floor, keeping them shoulder-width apart
- Hold for a few breaths, then switch sides

4. Move into Triangle Pose
- In Warrior II, straighten out the bent knee
- Hinge forward with your left hand towards your left knee (or whichever side you ended Warrior II on)
- Extend your right arm towards the ceiling while keeping your shoulder back and chest open
- Hold for a few breaths and then repeat on the other side

5. End with Mountain Pose
This ancient pose is designed to help establish a strong and healthy alignment within your body. You’ll feel this practice’s full benefits as you end your morning yoga routine.
- Start with your feet hip-width apart, rooting down through your feet and lengthening up through the crown of your head
- Roll your shoulders back and down while engaging your legs
- Take a few deep breaths here, feeling your connection to the earth and the energy within your body

Bonus Tip
Follow up your yoga practice with 10 minutes of meditation for a more profound sense of relaxation and focus. Sit in a comfortable position and concentrate on your breath, allowing your thoughts to come and go without judgment.

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