Hello and happy Sunday everyone!
Welcome to week two of January, our month of “Mindful Mornings”.
Here is a quick recap of Week 1:
I discussed the advantages of focusing on daily actions, rather than yearly resolutions
We explored the possibility of using our mornings for self care and personal growth.
You recorded your activities for the first hour of each day.
If you’re just joining us, you can catch up by reading last week’s newsletter, or simply pause now and reflect on your current morning routine. Specifically, how do you spend the first hour of your day?
I know it’s cliche, but knowledge really is power.
Now that you know exactly how you spend your mornings, it’s time to get clear about what’s working and what’s not.
Your morning sets the tone for your entire day. When you take control of your morning, you are effectively taking control of your entire life.
Are your morning activities preparing you to thrive? Or, are they amplifying the old, familiar patterns holding you back?
You can use these insights to transform mediocre mornings into daily rituals, filled with meaning and momentum.
Implementing small changes in the morning will progress you towards your goals more effectively than occasional bursts of motivation ever will.
In the words of Andre De Shields “Slowly is the fastest way to get to where you want to be”
Morning Movement
When it comes to creating real change, I’ve learned that the best way is to focus on what i’m adding to my life, rather than fixating on what i’m trying to remove.
This has worked wonders with my diet. Instead of struggling to avoid sugar and processed foods, I look for ways to incorporate more veggies, fresh fruit and whole grains.
I’m using this method for my phone use too. Instead of trying to force myself to stay off my phone, I’m filling my free time with pastimes I enjoy. I’ve been baking, reading and spending more time on my passion projects - like this newsletter!
When I pile what I want (and need) onto my literal and metaphorical plates, there just isn’t room for all the other nonsense. The problem practically takes care of itself.
So this week, we’re going to start getting in the habit of showing up for ourselves by adding something productive to our mornings: movement.
More specifically, Yoga.
There are multitudes of excellent, online yoga classes that are fifteen minutes or less. If you’re really pressed for time, you can even find classes that are closer to five minutes.
I’m willing to bet, if you revisit your notes/reflections from the past week, you can find five minutes to spare. Why not try rolling out your yoga mat as soon as you step out of bed? That’s what I do and I believe it’s the secret to practicing every day.
Put it into Practice
What if you really could change your life in five minutes?
It might sound like an over simplification, but you have to start somewhere. Doing something good for yourself, every morning - even for just five minutes - will ripple out into your day in ways that might surprise you.
Here are a whole bunch of quick, morning yoga classes for you to try this week. The first group are 15 minutes or less. The second group are right around five minutes!
Morning Yoga Classes - 15 minutes or less
HEAL - 10 Minute Morning Stretch - Flexible Body Yoga Challenge | Yoga With Kassandra
This class has been giving me so much life lately.
I just keep returning to it.
Some days, I want a short asana practice to prioritize a longer Nidra session. Other times, I only have a few minutes. And then there are mornings when I just don’t feel good. This class is perfect on every occasion.
Kassandra’s "Heal” practice is extremely gentle. It’s the perfect sequence to try right after rolling out of bed.
Yoga For Beginners: Start Your Day Off Right Morning Yoga & Meditation | Faith Hunter
This is another one of my favorite morning classes.
It’s a little longer than the last one, coming in at 15 minutes. But…it’s also a more complete practice. This one is a full, meal deal!!
With a gentle, yet invigorating asana practice + a simple pranayama/meditation at the end, you will leave your mat feeling centered and ready to take on the day.
Dream - 10 Minute Morning Stretch - Flexible Body Yoga Challenge | Yoga with Kassandra
Another practice that I L-O-V-E love!!
This practice has been my standby for quite some time now. I practice it at least twice a week. It’s a sequence that gets into all the right places, in all the right ways, first thing In the morning.
Gentle, yet energizing. This class from Kassandra will always be at the top of my yoga playlist. Give it a try for a simple, morning wake up call.
If you like the two classes I shared from Yoga with Kassandra, you can find the entire playlist of short, morning classes here : Flexible Body, Flexible Mind - 30 Day Challenge
10 Minute Morning Yoga Stretch | Gentle Yoga Practice All Levels | Jessica Richburg
Another well rounded class that’s gentle enough for early mornings, but still invigorating. Jessica gives space at the end for some meditation and reflection, which is always a nice touch before you head out into your day.
Morning Classes - 7 Minutes or less
5 Minute EVERYDAY Yoga | Black Yogi Nico Marie
I am always amazed by how satisfied I feel after this super short class. It is perfect for mornings when I have no time.
Try this five minute gem and open yourself up to the possibility that even just five minutes of morning yoga can positively affect your whole day.
7 Minute Morning Yoga Stretch | Yoga With Bird
This is a nice full body stretch, ending in extended child’s pose. A lovely practice for mornings when you want to move, but also want a few moments of stillness.
Bonus : Bird’s cat makes an appearance. I love it when online teachers include their pets. It really brings home the at-home-yoga experience.
This class is part of a series that Bird released in December. If you like this, check out her channel. There are 29 more, short morning practices to try!! Here’s the link : 30 Day Morning Yoga Challenge 2024
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you make time for morning yoga this week. Morning movement is one of the most life changing practices I have ever, personally adopted. It provides the perfect bridge between bed and life. I never skip out on stretching my tight, tired, morning muscles.
But don’t take my word for it, give it a try!
Let me know which classes you try and what you thought of them. I’d also love to hear how morning movement improves your day!
See you guys next Sunday.