We all deserve a break from our busy morning routine, but most of us don’t have time to slip on our clothes and head out the door to go to an hour-long yoga practice. But there are still ways to slow down your morning by connecting your body, mind and spirit with these five simple yoga positions, also referred to as asanas.
Childs Pose
Begin kneeling, knees hip distance apart with the tops of your feet on the ground. Bend forward reaching towards the edge of the mat and spread your fingers wide. Relax your shoulders away from your ears, feeling a stretch down your spine. Continue to reach forward with each breath. Hold for 5-10 breaths.
Standing Back Bend
Inhale arms up straight and slowly begin to bend backwards, reaching towards the sky. Relax your shoulders and keep your neck long. Exhale bringing your body back to its starting position. Repeat for 5-10 breaths.
Forward Fold
Exhale, bending forward at the hips and reach for the ground. Allow your knees to bend slightly and relax your body and let your head and arms hang, elongating your spine. Hold for 5-10 breaths.
Downward Dog
Start on your hands and knees. Wrists should be directly under your shoulders, and your knees right beneath your hips. Inhale while you spread your fingers wide and press your hands into your mat and tuck your toes under your heels, while you lift your hips up to the sky. Press your heels into the floor, taking the weight from your arms and back, while keeping a slight bend in your elbows. Hold for 5-10 breaths.
Cat Cow
Begin the same way as downward dog, on your hands and knees with wrists beneath your shoulders and your knees below your hips, with a neutral spine. Inhale and shift your gaze to the sky, dropping your belly slightly. Exhale and drop your head and round your back, spreading your fingertips wide. Repeat for 5-10 breaths.
Not only will these simple asanas take just a few minutes, they will allow your blood to start flowing and will rejuvenate you for your busy day ahead. (Plus you don’t even have to change out of your pajamas!)