Whether you’re a night owl like me, or an early riser, it seems like once a person becomes dedicated to Ashtanga Yoga, they start practicing before sunrise. There’s just something about waking up before most of the city and practicing in the silence. It feels enchanting.
Being a teacher, it’s really beautiful to watch. Many students come into the shala for the first time at night to start Mysore style. It’s not uncommon for a night beginners class to be packed because most people like to go after work. Then, after they’ve been practicing for awhile, something inside clicks. Like a moment when Ashtanga enters into their heart, and it’s now become a part of their life forever. It’s at that point when I see the practitioner transition to the morning. Yoga is best practiced in the morning because the mind is quiet, the world is still, and it sets the tone for the day.
Practice teaches me each morning how to steady the mind before it has been corrupted from a high stress demanding job. I’m faced with all kinds of challenges, and if I can get through that, I can get through anything the day has in store.
It also sets your body on the cycle with the earth, so you’re getting up with the sun, feeling hungry at optimal times for digestion, and getting ready for bed when the sun goes to sleep too. And, since yoga builds energy, I love to carry that with me through the day. If I practice at night, I have trouble sleeping.
I’ve gone back and forth between practicing in the mornings and evenings, and find that I function better and feel more at peace when I take morning practice.
Waking up and getting out of bed is always a struggle for me. It might become easy for some people, but as long as I’ve been practicing,I still need to motivate myself every day to get up and out of bed.
It’s not required to practice in the morning. Some people are night practitioners forever, and that’s okay. Just get on the mat when you can! However, if you love morning practice, but have trouble waking up early like me, here’s how I do it:
A. Set my coffee maker the night before. This works because I can’t resist the smell of coffee, and I won’t let myself waste it.
B. Set my alarm with motivational slogans to get out of bed. I try not to hit snooze, but it still happens from time to time:
C. Take a shower. This is good because you’ll be more awake and flexible. Not to mention, it opens your pores so you sweat releasing more toxins.
I’m still asleep – I stretch – I open the eyes!
Ahhhh much better! Thinking I really like this towel hair look too!
D. Drink Coffee of course:
E. Feel amazing & happy after a sweaty practice with some proper yoga hair to start the day!
I Hope I gave you some tips for how to get your butt out of bed in the morning to your yoga mat! Let me know what works for you & I’d love to hear your WAKE UP tips in the comments below.
Namaste!
