Yoga is a great way to stimulate your muscles and boost your circulation. Yoga strengthens and lengthens your body and invigorates your mind. It is easy, requires no special equipment and can be done virtually anywhere that you have a little space. If you are lucky enough to live in a place where you can do your morning yoga outside, you will benefit from the vitamin D and fresh air.
To start your day off feeling focused and centered try these five, simple yoga poses. The more you practice the better you will get.
1. Spine Stretch
- Sit on the ground and cross your legs.
- Press your seat bones into the ground.
- Place your left hand on your knee and tilt your torso to the left so you can place your right hand on the floor on your left side.
- Exhale, and repeat on the other side.
- Repeat 3 times on each side.
2. Cat stretch
- Come down onto the floor on all fours.
- Place your knees squarely under your hips and your hands directly under your shoulders.
- Lengthen your spine and arch your neck under your body.
- Arch your back like a cat and exhale releasing the pose.
- Repeat 3 times.
3. Puppy Stretch
- Come down on the floor on all fours just like you did with the cat stretch.
- Press your fingers and toes into the ground and begin lifting your back.
- Push your rear into the air.
- Bring your feet under your self and straighten your back.
- Exhale and release the pose.
- Repeat 6 times.
- Stand on the ground straight up.
- Place your feet slightly further than shoulder width apart.
- Put your arms out to your sides and inhale.
- Reach your body over so that your left hand touches your left foot.
- Exhale and return to a standing position.
- Repeat this exercise on the right side.
- Alternate sides 3 times.
5. Tree Pose
- Stand squarely on the ground.
- Shift your weight onto one foot.
- Bring the other foot up and hold it against your leg.
- Bring your hands straight up above your head and hold the pose for 30 seconds.
- Repeat the pose 3 times.
Namaste!
– The Alternative Daily