It’s safe to say that a lot of us aren’t morning people. Sadly, no amount of espresso shots is going to help, but five minutes of some basic yet invigorating yoga poses will leave the mind and body refreshed, revived and ready to take on the day.
Also known as sun salutations, these poses encourage positive energy to flow more freely throughout the body, while also strengthening, toning and promoting flexibility. You can also check out the positive benefits of yoga here.
If you’re ready to take on the day, let’s get started with sun salutations!
1. Start by standing in mountain pose with your hands in prayer position. Take a few deep breaths first – inhaling deep until your lungs are full.
2. As you exhale, extend your arms upwards, and gaze up into sky.
3. Then, bend over with your arms open. When your hands reach the ground, bring your chest close towards your thighs in a standing fold.
4. Then, place your hands flat on the ground, and walk your feet to the back of the mat, coming into downward dog position.
5. Raise your right foot up to the skin in downward dog split, bend your knee and swing your leg through the front of the mat.
6. When your body is balanced, raise both hands up in the sky. (choose to keep your hands on the floor if it’s too strenuous).
7. Lower your hands back down and take a few deep breaths. Step your right foot back to meet your left foot in plank position.
8. Then, press your palms into the ground and roll your shoulder blades back into cobra pose. Lift your knees and thighs off the ground using your hands feet, coming into upward-facing dog.
9. Curl your toes under and push your body back into downward dog. Bend your knees and walk or jump your feet to meet your hands into standing forward fold.
10. Take a deep breath and lift your upper body as you stand up, bringing your hands back into a prayer position.
Repeat the same sequence using opposite leg.
