Starting your day with a morning yoga routine can be a wonderful way to awaken your body and mind, setting a positive tone for the rest of your day. And the best part? You don’t have to be a yoga guru to reap the benefits – a simple and gentle practice is all you need. So, roll out your mat and follow this guide to energize and center yourself each morning.

Begin your routine by setting an intention for your practice. This could be a word, a phrase, or a dedicated focus for your day, such as ‘strength’ or ‘finding calm within chaos.’ Setting an intention helps to bring purpose and meaning to your yoga practice and can influence your mindset throughout the day. After setting your intention, start with a few simple breathing exercises to calm your mind and awaken your body. Try equal ratio breathing, inhaling for a count of four and exhaling for the same count. This will help to clear away any mental clutter and fully wake up your body, especially your nervous system.

Sun salutations are an excellent way to warm up your body and get your blood flowing. Start with a gentle pace, moving through the poses slowly and mindfully. Listen to your body and modify the practice as needed – for example, taking a knee on your back leg during lunges or lowering your knees to the mat during plank pose. The child’s pose is a wonderful resting posture that you can return to throughout your practice. It gently stretches your hips, thighs, and ankles while calming your mind and relieving stress. Hold this pose for as long as you need, focusing on taking deep, relaxing breaths.