Yoga poses to wake you up
Yoga teacher Kelly Drew shares the best morning yoga poses to help energise you for the day ahead
The darker mornings this time of year can make it even more of a challenge to get out of bed. But these simple yoga poses before breakfast will help put a spring in your step, bringing energy to the whole body and mental clarity for a balanced day ahead.
Hereford-based yoga teacher Kelly Drew is your guide.
Seated Spinal Twist
This seated pose is wonderful for enhancing spinal flexibility by stretching and strengthening the muscles that support the spine. It supports healthy digestion by stimulating the abdominal organs aiding in alleviating bloating and constipation. This is a great morning pose to bring in energy to the whole body as it alleviates back pain, improves the circulation and muscle fatigue and enhances overall health.
Breath focus and awareness in this still pose helps to reduce stress and anxiety and promotes mindfulness for the day.
Sit with the spine tall and legs outstretched. We twist to the left first to bring energy into the ascending colon, working with the bodies natural rhythm of digestion. Bend the left knee in towards the body, keeping the left foot flat on the ground. Place your right hand on the left knee, or for a strong twist, hug your right arm around your left leg. Place your left hand behind you close to the body. On an inhalation grow tall through your spine and as you exhale, begin to slowly twist to the left from your lower spine, allowing the movement to work its way up the body. Breathe for as long as comfortable, ensuring face and shoulders are tension free. Once released, practice on the other side.
Standing Forward Fold
A forward fold follows nicely after a spinal twist due to the release in the lower back. This is a simple pose to help improve the posture by extending and relaxing the spine whilst stretching tight hamstrings. The forward fold action compresses and massages the internal organs helping to boost the metabolism and stimulates the digestive, uro-genital, nervous and endocrine systems. Another lovely posture to help ease lower back pain, regulate blood pressure, quiet the mind and release stress. Allowing the blood to flow to the brain enriches the glands and gives us a little boost of energy.
Stand with feet hip width apart and toes pointing forward. On an inhalation raise the arms above the head and as you exhale, gentle fold forward from the hips, bending the knees if the hamstrings are tight. Relax here, releasing any tension through the jaw, softening your features and slowing the breath down. Release when ready by softening the knees and rolling back up through the spine.
Downward Facing Dog Pose
An amazing morning pose to bring in energy and enhance vitality. This is a symmetrical posture as both sides of the body perform the same actions. It is considered an inversion as the head is below the heart and this position is far more accessible to most, compared to other inversions such as headstand.
You will receive a great hamstring stretch as well as any low back tenderness being released. Down Dog improves stability and balance whilst strengthening the upper body. When practiced regularly it helps to boost mental clarity and focus, and alleviate headaches.
Start on hands and knees, making sure your fingers are spread wide open and the hands being the same width as the shoulders. Curl your toes under and as you inhale, lift your knees off the floor and send your hips high. Allow the head and neck to completely relax as it drops down. If it is uncomfortable with straight legs, do not press the heels to the floor and instead keep a bend in the knees. Hold for as many breaths as possible.
Based in Hereford, Kelly has been teaching yoga for 17 years. She has enjoyed teaching public classes, one to one tuition, workshops and retreats during this time. Recently she has expanded into Yoga Therapy for Women’s Health and Empowerment alongside a qualification in pre and post natal yoga. kellieyoga.co.uk
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