9 Yogis Tell Us How They Start Their Day Every Morning

The Importance of a Mindful Morning

Waking up with a sense of peace and purpose can set the tone for the entire day. That’s why many yogis have morning rituals to help them feel grounded before the busyness of the day unfolds. From breathing practices to journaling to preparing wholesome meals, here are some of the ways yogis nurture their well-being each morning.

1. Start with Gratitude

Kate begins each day by listing ten things she is grateful for. Taking a few minutes for this reflection over her morning tea helps start her day from a positive mindset.

2. Drink Warm Lemon Water

Lemons help balance the body’s pH and stimulate digestion. For this reason, Rosa makes a habit of drinking warm lemon water first thing when she wakes up. This cleansing ritual enlivens her senses as she prepares for meditation.

3. Practice Sun Salutations

Sun salutations involve a sequence of yoga poses to generate heat, loosen the body and focus the mind. Amanda enjoys performing a few cycles of sun salutations before breakfast. Moving so soon after waking up makes her feel more alive.

4. Prepare a Healthy Breakfast

Cooking a nutritious breakfast is a form of self-care for Jenna. Her favorite morning meal is chia pudding made with non-dairy milk, fresh berries, nuts, seeds and spices. Taking the time to make this dish allows her to practice mindfulness before eating.

5. Drink Herbal Tea

Herbal teas can be calming, rejuvenating or energizing depending on the blend. Louise has an assortment that she chooses from based on what her body needs that morning. Sipping tea is a nice way for her to ease into the day.

6. Practice Pranayama

Pranayama is breath control in yoga. Elizabeth starts her day with three rounds of alternate nostril breathing, a balancing pranayama technique. Taking long, slow breaths through each nostril is deeply relaxing and focuses her mind.

7. Meditate

Many yogis set their intention for the day during morning meditation. By sitting quietly and observing his thoughts in a nonjudgmental way, Kumar is better able to focus on what matters most to him.

8. Move Your Body

Yoga postures help lubricate the joints and stimulate circulation. Rather than just sitting on her mat, Clara likes to flow through creative sequences that work her entire body first thing in the morning. The physical practice leaves her feeling more vibrant and centered.

9. Journal Your Dreams

Dreams can offer insight into our subconscious thoughts and feelings. Noah makes a habit of keeping a dream journal that he writes in immediately upon waking while the details are still fresh. This ritual reflection reveals recurring themes that inspire his daily yoga practice and life choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some examples of morning rituals yogis practice?

Common morning rituals yogis practice include expressing gratitude, drinking warm lemon water, sun salutations, preparing healthy breakfasts, drinking herbal tea, pranayama breathing techniques, meditation, yoga postures, and journaling dreams.

Why is having a mindful morning important?

Starting the day with mindfulness helps set a positive tone, ground your energy, focus your intention, stimulate your physical and mental vitality, and gain insight into your unconscious mind and emotions.

Which morning ritual is easiest for beginners?

Beginners may find gratitude journaling, sun salutations, or sipping herbal tea to be simple ways to start cultivating more mindful mornings.

How much time do morning rituals take?

Morning rituals can take as little as 5-10 minutes for practices like journaling or tea drinking, while yoga, meditation and making breakfast can take 20 minutes or longer.

How do these morning rituals benefit your yoga practice?

Mindful morning rituals help create mental clarity, emotional balance, physical flexibility, sensitivity to bodily sensations, and spiritual centeredness – all of which deepen and enrich a yoga practice.