5 Mood-Lifting Morning Yoga Poses for Reduced Stress

Starting the day with a positive mindset really can make all the difference. When we have busy lives, it’s easy to rush through your morning routine without really taking into account how you feel. 

Between getting the kids ready and out the door to checking those early emails and preparing lunch, mornings can be pretty hectic. However, if you can wake up just 10 minutes earlier and fit in some time for yourself, you’ll really notice the difference. 

Practising yoga instills a sense of self-awareness and calm. It takes our minds away from daily hassles or worries and reduces stress. Yoga has also been found to boost brainpower and increase overall happiness thanks to spending time ‘in the moment.’ 

Mental benefits aside, physically, yoga aides flexibility, weight loss and your fitness in general. It has even been linked with living longer as it reduces the risk of heart disease and helps slow down our breathing pace. 

So, if you feel like you need to reduce your stress levels and increase your ability to concentrate throughout the day, why not set 10 minutes aside each morning to practice yoga.

Your space 

Don’t think you need to invest in a mat and fitness gear to get started. This will only make you put it off. If you don’t have a yoga mat, a towel will suffice in the meantime. 

Next, find a place that’s calm to practice your early morning yoga. This could be beside your bed, in the garden (if it’s warm enough!) or just a place in the house that’s calm and secluded for the 10 minutes you have. Our last article on creating a meditation space at home will help to guide you when choosing a place to practice yoga. 

Don’t think too long and hard about this, ultimately, you’re just looking for a little bit of peace and quiet. 

The poses

Poses or asanas are body postures which originally derived from a sitting pose during meditation. Over time, they have been adapted anatomically to provide many health benefits. For this blog, we have chosen to go with mood-boosting poses, to help you start the day on a high. 

1. Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar)

Traditionally, sun salutations are practised during sunrise, linking 12 asanas. It is a moving pose which helps to energise the body and get the blood flowing. Moving through the seven key chakras, sun salutations boost the mood and instil a sense of calm. 

Find the tutorial here.

Image credit: You Do You Yoga 

2. Downward facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Even if you’re completely new to yoga, you’ve likely heard of this pose. Downward facing dog incorporates the entire body, stretching out the legs all the way through to the upper back. The pose also increases blood circulation in the head after a long night’s sleep. 

Find the tutorial here

 

3. The cobra pose 

Don’t worry if you can’t come all the way up and stretch your arms with this one, keep the arms bent to avoid straining – remember that flexibility will come with time. The cobra pose is excellent if you work on a computer all day and suffer from ‘tech neck’ or back tension. 

Find the tutorial here. 

 

4. Chair pose (Utkatasana)

As well as boosting your mood, this pose aids concentration, encouraging you to be present and focused. To hold the pose, it’s important to engage your core and legs which will quickly build heat and energy in the body. 

Find the tutorial here.

 

5. Child’s pose (Balasana)

This is a more comfortable, resting pose, which will allow you to settle the mind after your practice. The action of placing your head on the floor has an immediate calming effect on the brain, making it ideal if you always have thoughts whirling around your head. 

The position also aids digestion, by pressing your knees into your stomach, encouraging detoxification. It also helps to elongate the upper back and neck, which is ideal before a long day sitting at your desk. 

Find the tutorial here.

 

To sum up 

Just by taking the first steps to practice these mood-lifting poses, you should notice an increased sense of calm and mindfulness. The Yoga Journal is a great resource if you would like to branch out and try some more asanas or head to a local class for that added sense of relaxation.

Remember that this is just a guide and it’s always important to listen to your body, making sure you don’t overstretch. If you suffer from existing medical conditions, it’s always important to consult your doctor first. 

Head to our social media channels and let us know if you practice yoga and how it benefits you.