We all have those days when we can barely get out of bed. Usually, this means it’s time for the go-to cup of coffee. But, who wants to deal with the accompanying late-morning crash?

Thankfully, there is good news. An energizing morning yoga practice can stimulate you on virtually every level. In fact, it will hone your focus, relax your mind, and keep your body revved up for virtually the entire day.

Before You Begin

The benefits of yoga are plentiful. Not only does it relieve anxiety and stress, yoga will also improve your sleep quality and overall health as well. And, when you do it on a consistent basis, it becomes to see why so many yoga lovers have started leading the yogi lifestyle.

When you do a morning yoga sequence, you are engaging the circulatory and nervous systems. This helps unblock energy flows and brings new life into your body with every breath and movement.

In this way, a short routine can balance the body, center the mind, and wake you up with a boost that lasts longer than any coffee drink. But, before you begin, there are some things you should keep in mind. For instance:

• Wear comfortable yoga clothing: The wrong clothes can bunch up in weird places, making it hard to concentrate on your workout.

• Be mindful of your breath: This will help you tune into your body so that you are able to give it what it needs while doing the following sequence.

Energizing Yoga Sequence

A good morning yoga sequence will get your blood pumping while simultaneously stretching the parts of the body that tend to get tight while we are sleeping. But, just because you know that yoga can energize you, doesn’t mean that you feel like going to an hour long class.

Don’t you fret! If you have 5-10 minutes to set aside each morning, there are certain poses you can do to energize the body and mind. And because of yoga’s gentle nature, you are able to easily transition to awake mode without the rapid acceleration that commonly comes with consuming caffeine.

Don’t believe it? The following sequence is here to change your mind. Each pose should be done for about a minute each.

To get things started, slowly breathe in and out for about a minute or two and then proceed:

Spinal Stretch

• Cross your legs and press your sit bones into the floor.

• Lengthen your spine and reach up through the crown of your head. If you feel uncomfortable, you can either extend one leg or sit on a folded blanket.

• Put your right hand on your left knee, inhale, and lengthen your spine.

• Exhale and twist to the right.

• Inhale and come to the center.

• Switch sides and repeat.

Cat Cow Pose

• Come to a tabletop position, making sure that your knees are under your hips and your wrists are under your shoulders. Take a deep breath in.

• Exhale and round your back like an angry cat, chin to the navel.

• Inhale and arch your back, gaze towards the ceiling.

• Go with the breath and repeat at least ten times.

Downward Dog

• Come back to the tabletop position.

• Press your hands into the floor, tuck your toes, and lift your hips up and back. Keep your knees bent.

• Slowly lower your heels to the floor.

• Raise one heel up, straighten the leg, and lift the other. “Walk the dog” at least ten times.

Crescent Lunge Twist

• Come back to the tabletop position.

• Bring your left foot forward, making sure that your toes are in alignment with your fingers and that your knee is over your ankle.

• Extend your right leg behind you. Keep your knee on the floor.

• Keep your shoulder blades down and keep your spine straight and long.

• Take a deep breath and bring your hands to your left knee.

• Reach your arms over your head. Take a couple of breaths here while expanding your chest and lengthening your spine.

• Exhale and bring your right hand to the floor.

• Inhale and reach the left hand up and over to the left.

• Point your gaze to just beyond your fingertips.

• Exhale and lower your arm.

• Repeat on the right side.

Wide-Legged Forward Fold

• Stand with your feet about four feet apart.

• Interlock your fingers behind your back and lock your elbows

• Take a deep breath.

• Exhale.

• Hinge at the hips and bring your head toward to your ground.

• Release your hands and bring them to your feet.

• Hold this pose for at least 30 seconds and do it two times.

Standing Side Stretch

• Go to the front of your mat.

• Stand tall, take a deep inhale and lengthen the spine.

• Exhale and fold forward.

• Inhale and come back to a standing position, arms overhead.

• Exhale and bring your hands to your heart.

• Inhale and reach the arms overhead.

• Take your left hand and wrap it around the right wrist.

• Learn to the left and inhale deeply.

• Exhale.

• Come back to center.

• Repeat on the other side.

Finish with a Resting Pose

• When done with the energizing morning poses, lie on the floor, palms facing up.

• Take this time (about 3 minutes) to tune into your breath and speak a good intention for your day.

• Remember to smile, this will brighten both your mood and energize your facial muscles.

When done on a regular basis, yoga provides practitioners with a wide variety of both mental and physical benefits. And, if you follow the above morning routine. you are guaranteed to start your day calm, energized, and ready to deal with whatever obstacles may stand in your way. Namaste.