For Real Morning Yoga

Maybe I am assuming something: do you practice yoga in the morning? .. I've been assuming no in all my thoughts and writing. I don't mean to lose your interest if you do practice; I'm curious if YOU practice or if you go to practice. (Words, again, prove to be so important!)

So, which is it: you practice or you go to practice? I want to inspire you to do both. Yes, they're different but so complimentary and in dire times,

sometimes you only have one option..

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The morning practice, if you haven't seen my morning sequence, check out the script here, it's not fancy and full of hundreds of movements, it's simple in its transition of shape to shape. Without fancy movements to link the shapes together we are gently reminded, in a physical practice, that nothing really is. The events of our lives are not always sewn together seamlessly although we may do our best to make transitions and changes as easy, simple or even, silly enough, as little noticeable change as possible.

We often get stuck in change. When we ponder changing anything, our actions, behaviours, route to work, our health, we often start with research. We take time to talk with people we know or happen to tune into others' conversations on the bus, we search google and sometimes, even ask ourselves the pros and cons of the change. That's preparing. Then, after we gather information and data we decide what is needed to change. New clothes, different hair products, education... we often get into the tangible "what do I need" and in some cases, yes... if you want to start styling your hair different you may require something and we are undoubtedly going to stop at Dollarama on the way home even if traffic sucks. However in most cases the resistance appears in forms of preparing and we never follow through on the preparations and therefor we don't begin the change.

Have you gathered enough data and information, scrolled through enough @yoga(add the buzz word that makes you excited) accounts on social media that you want to practice at home? Maybe you're in the endless preparing stage and are now gathering information on the best mats (but heck no you ain't going to spend $98+gst AND shipping and handling, why is that a thing these days!?) or maybe you walk into the fitness store every couple weeks and think, nah, I don't need the yoga pants... and by the way you DON'T need the yoga pants, I do yoga in jeans. Actually. Why? BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT BEING FLEXIBLE. Glad we got that out of the way.

So, now that I've for sure stripped away your rudimentary beliefs that you are not yet ready to start yoga at home, let's get you inspired to the actual starting part.

I want you to set your alarm for tomorrow morning. Right now. I'll wait - Right now, open the alarm clock feature on your phone and set it for 30 minutes EARLIER than you typically do.

Did you do it? You're still resistant perhaps. Okay, that's okay. Here's your out - set your alarm and in the morning, when it goes off you still have the choice to back out. Okay?

So set it. Now.

The first shape you're going to do tomorrow is to stand still. If you have a mat, great, if not, just get out of bed and stand up. This is your beginning.

When you stand, it may feel uncomfortable to close your eyes, so if you care to, leave them open and blink slower. Start, literally, by slowing down the subconscious actions of your body. This is a way of being present. As you blink slower your body will adjust to the change of standing with eyes closed for periods of time.

As you settle there, know that your mind is a tool and it's a tool that can be left plugged in and logged on, in fact, it LOVES it. So, you're going to think about your day ahead, of the problems that make you scared, and you'll hardly be able to follow any one thought to completion before another thought marches in and takes over. This state, it's more than okay. I want you to be aware it's going to happen. The usual response, from the mind about its own busyness is to "oh well, let's get moving then." I want you to not move though. Stay standing, as still as is comfortable until you hear your body. Is your stomach grumbling, can you hear the inhale, do you hear yourself swallow? LISTENING to your body is the simple goal for opening practice. In this simple shape of standing, we have much to work on. Forget the physical alignment here, just tune in to the sounds and experience of your body as it stands, literally.

Perhaps standing here, listening is all your practice will be today. THAT IS OKAY. Nothing, except maybe your busy mind, told you, you had to do the entire practice to make it valuable... If all you do for a while is stand in the opening shape and then continue on your day, okay.. but stay past the mind telling you to move on, move on when you are settled and when the voice and sounds of your body are ready for you to move on.

I think that's enough for today. I feel like starting is hard enough... I really encourage you to write me a message, post on my way or comment on something online and share your experience or ask me a question. I really want social media to be social but I can't do all the posting myself...

With love and respect wherever you are in the here and now...

Brittaney