Yoga is always good for the body and soul. There are all loads of different poses you can do to improve your mindset and it’s great for exercising without having to go to the gym. Start your morning off with the Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) in your loungeroom with some calming relaxation.
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The Sun Salutation is used as a sacred prayer to the sun. These step wakes up the body, leaving energised, and links your body, breath and mind together.
- Mountain Pose
Stand up straight and place your hands together by your heart centre. To really get into the mood, imagine your heart as the sun, shining brightly with each inhale.
2. Upward Salute
Inhale, sweep your arms up over your head and place your palms together. Lift your head up, which will keep your forehead relaxed. This move is good for lifting the heart and expanding the chest.
3. Standing Forward Bend
Exhale and fold forward at the hips. Keep your spine straight, as much as you can and slowly let it round into a full forward bend. After exhaling, draw your chin in and look at your legs.
4. Half Standing Forward Bend
Inhale and lift your chin. Press your hands onto your shins, this will straighten your spine. Extend your movement over each length of inhalation and exhalation. To link your mental energy with the physical action, your gaze must follow each movement.
5. Four-Limbed Staff Pose
Exhale and step back. Shift your weight forward, bend with your elbows and lower your body halfway to the ground. Your upper arms must be parallel to the floor and close to your side ribs. This signifies an offering of your heart and surrendering your ego.
6. Upward-Facing Dog Pose
Inhale and press back through your toes to make your legs straight to the top of your feet. Press down on the surface through your hands and place your shoulders back. This movement broadens your chest and expands inhalation from your heart.
7. Downward-Facing Dog Pose
Exhale and take your toes under, Use your belly strength to pull your hips up and back. Gather a straight line from your wrists, through to your shoulders, spine and hips.
Keep this position for 5 breaths and hold with strength not strain. After the 5th exhale, jump your feet forward to your hands and then resume your Half Standing Forward Bend position. Exhale and continue to the Standing Forward Bend position.
Inhale and fall back into your Upward Salute position. Exhale and return back to your Mountain Pose.
Images: Yoga Journal, a2zyoga.com and artofliving.org
