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Greet the sun with Pick-Me-Up Yoga

posted by ChickSpeak
Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 3:48pm CDT

The feeling of waking up more tired than you were previous to falling asleep is a complete drag.

This can be contributed to by a number of different things. Your mattress, what time of month it is, and one drink too many the night prior can all cause you to want to curl up tighter in the those jersey knit sheets.

Whatever the cause, it pales in comparison to the daunting task of having to peel yourself from beneath your comforter and place one foot following the other onto the patch of floor resting next to your bed.

I once heard that if you wake up tired you should do ten jumping jacks as soon as you get up. I do this every now and then, and it actually does wake you up. However, I would still find myself tired about an hour later.

“If I’m losing balance in a pose, I stretch higher and God reaches down to steady me. It works every time, and not just in yoga” says Terry Guillemets.

Yoga has been practiced for centuries. It also has a strikingly long list of health benefits, many of which can be found here at the ABCs of Yoga.

I have found that my day feels more balanced if I wake up and immediately do some yoga poses. My stress levels are depleted and my mind is more alert and ready to deal with whatever is thrown my way.

First off, start out in a seated easy position on the floor. If you do this in bed, you will surely go back to sleep, so get up. Sit up straight with your legs crossed and your arms relaxed on your legs.

From here choose a mantra to repeat in your mind. “Mantras (or mantrams) are words, phrases, or syllables which are chanted thoughtfully and with growing attention” according to yogaworld.org.

Think of a mantra as a positive prayer for your day. It can be something like “I will have good actions toward others today” or “I will succeed at everything I put my hand to.” Be creative, and make it personal to you.

While you are seated slowing take in a deep breath, hold it; repeat your mantra in your mind. Exhale. Repeat a few times.

Next rise to your feet.

Warrior I

Step forward with the right foot into a loose lunge, keeping the back leg straight and the left toes pointed out at about 45-degrees, heel down on the floor. Keep the right knee directly above the ankle and the hips squared to the front. This is important for balance and protects your joints from injury.

Raise the arms up and overhead, palms together, and look up as you slide the shoulders down and away from the ears. This opens your shoulders creating a pleasing yet sometimes resistant stretch for your trapezius muscle. Stretch and hold for three to five deep breaths.

Warrior II

From Warrior I, turn the body to the left while bringing your right arm in front of you and your left arm behind you. Look out over the right hand while keeping the front knee bent and the shoulders relaxed. Also remember to keep your spine straight.

Pretend that your arms are long planks and they have to reach out several feet in front and behind you. Keep them strong, stretching through your fingertips. Hold pose for three to five breaths.

Modified Triangle

Take your right arm down and rest the forearm on the right thigh. Take the left hand straight up to the sky as if you are waving good morning to the sun. Keep your fingers spread and strong and the arm directly over the shoulder. Gaze upward at the left hand and hold for three to five deep breaths.

Repeat these on the other side.

Floating Frog

Begin in downward facing dog . This is the one in which your body basically looks like an upside down “v.” From there you will bend your knees toward your chest. Be sure to look between your hands for balance.

From here exhale and jump both of your feet to the outside of your hands. Keep your hands strong during the entire pose for balance. Step back and return to downward facing dog and repeat a few times.

This pose inspires you to wake up and leap forward into your new day.

As with any sort of exercise, if you have any concerns or health issues, consult your doctor before trying to perform.

Greet the sun and embrace the day with these yoga poses and feel more energized throughout the day. It is a great way to begin living a more balanced and steady life. Remember your mantra, and be encouraged.

Namaste!

Fatima Meadows attends Appalachian State University. She is thankful to live in a city that is multi-cultural and never short of a good yoga class. She enjoy yoga and pilates the most out of any exercise regime she endures, and is currently working toward becoming certified to teach both.