Yoga-fy your morning: 4 ways

I read something once about how the morning has special powers.  That with each sunrise, is the triumph of life, or the victory of good over evil (ok, a little weird that night is evil, but it’s still an interesting idea to consider).  Morning is magical, sattvic, or pure.  But the morning is also a time where we throw ourselves out the door, and end up throwing all that loveliness out the window,

All of that said, here are a few ideas to yogify your morning processes:

1. Upon opening the eyes

Lie still for a little while.  Place your hands on your belly and feel the belly rise and fall with the pattern of your breath.  Pour your awareness into your limbs to feel your arms and legs under the blankets.  Notice how they truly feel, not just how you think they feel.

When you are ready, turn yourself over onto your belly, and see how well your muscles and bones do as you ask.  Place your hands under your shoulders, bend your knees and push your hips back to your heels.  Stretch your arms and your back.  Feel the thighs squeezing your belly.  After 5 breaths, release and take your smooth self out of bed. 

2.  Showering:

No rush.  This is your body you are cleaning.  Your body is what encases your true self.  Rinse off the night to feel the day.

3.  Breakfast

If you can, use a little more time for breakfast and really taste your food.  The great yoga teacher, Vanda Scaravelli wrote that it is not so much what you eat, but how you eat it that makes a difference.  The process of eating is powerful.  Feel the power! 

4. The Morning Commute, with 3 choices!

1. Walking/Biking (my preferred method!):  Know that you are not in a race and go gently. Soak in the morning air, prana, energy into your skin.  Notice your arms and legs, how they act in concert to move you through space.  The body likes to be graceful. 

2. Driving:  Leave a little early so you do not have to rush.  Try listening to yoga music for the rhythm of a very different driving experience.  I like Chants of India

3. Train/Bus:  If you are lucky enough to sit down (yes, writing from new york city…), close your eyes, for a meditation in motion.  Listen to the sounds of people and machinery very carefully.  They are the manifestation of prana.  Allow them to swirl around you like the clouds around a mountain top.  Or for an even greater yogic experience, give up your seat without expecting thanks back.  Imagine you are giving it up to God.  Or your mom.

Let me know how it goes, or if you have any advice to add?