If mornings feel like a battle, the idea of yoga before breakfast might sound ridiculous. But a short, gentle flow can loosen stiff muscles and make the rest of the morning noticeably easier.
The sequence
- One minute of slow breathing, seated or lying down.
- Cat and cow stretches for the spine.
- Child’s pose to release the lower back.
- Downward dog, pedalling the feet.
- A low lunge on each side.
- Standing forward fold.
- Three slow sun salutations.
- One minute of stillness.
Tips for sticking with it
Roll your mat out the night before so it is the first thing you see. Keep the room cool and the lights low. Above all, don’t chase flexibility; chase consistency.
After two weeks most people notice they wake up a little less grumpy. That alone is worth ten minutes.
More articles like this, please.
This is exactly the nudge I needed. Trying it this weekend!