{"id":43100,"date":"2015-09-03T11:15:27","date_gmt":"2015-09-03T15:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=43100"},"modified":"2021-05-20T04:31:13","modified_gmt":"2021-05-20T08:31:13","slug":"workout-yoga-poses-energize-morning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/fitness\/workout-yoga-poses-energize-morning\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Energizing Yoga Poses for a Perfect Morning"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Morning
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There\u2019s nothing like relaxing in savasana for a few minutes at the end of a yoga class<\/a> and then rolling out of the studio, light on your feet, without a care in the world. And while holding a pose may be your go-to for unwinding, it turns out your yoga practice can actually energize you, too. \u201cYoga has a lot to do with relaxation and calming down, but it can also be revitalizing, boosting your energy levels,\u201d says Gloria Baraquio, yoga director at The Springs<\/a> in downtown Los Angeles. \u201cThe key to maximizing energy is to get [your spine] moving, expand the heart and lungs, and move in a way that \u2018massages\u2019 your internal organs,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>11 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress Now<\/a><\/p>\n

The following five postures, suggested by Baraquio, as well as Bethany Lyons, cofounder of Lyons Den Power Yoga<\/a> in New York City, each deliver an espresso-like shot of a.m. energy \u2014 well before your morning coffee. Who knows \u2014 you might not even need that cup at all.<\/p>\n

5 Yoga Poses That Will Instantly Energize Every\u00a0Morning<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Forward
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Forward Fold<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why It Works:<\/strong> \u201cA forward fold stretches your hamstrings while helping you focus and feel your presence,\u201d says Lyons. It\u2019s a great one to start with to help you get centered as you begin your morning.
\nHow to Do It:<\/strong> Stand with feet hip-width apart, keeping knees slightly bent (a)<\/strong>.\u00a0Bend forward from the hips, making sure to keep hips stacked directly over your ankles\u00a0(b)<\/strong>.\u00a0Pull your abs in toward your spine, letting your head hang and hold each elbow with the opposite hand. Take 15 deep breaths in and out of your nose.<\/p>\n

\"Sun
Photos: Pond5<\/a>; Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Sun Salutation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why It Works:<\/strong> This total-body flow warms up your upper back<\/a>, shoulders, core, legs and butt. And if you pick up the pace, it really gets your heart pumping \u2014 and can even be a mini cardio workout, says Lyons. (All before you even hop in the shower!)
\nHow to Do It:<\/strong> Start in downward dog<\/a>. Hold for 10 deep breaths (a)<\/strong>. Slowly step your feet to your hands, inhaling as you stand up. Step your feet together and inhale as you lift your arms directly overhead (b)<\/strong>. Exhale and bend forward from the hips until your hands touch the floor or your shins, letting your head drop\u00a0(bend your knees slightly if your legs feel tight)\u00a0(c)<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/strong>Inhale and rise halfway, until your back is parallel to the floor, letting your hands rest on your shins as you look forward\u00a0(d)<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/strong>Exhale and step or jump both feet back to a plank position<\/a>\u00a0(e)<\/strong>.\u00a0Lower to chatarunga<\/a> (f)<\/strong>. Then, inhale as you shift into cobra or upward dog (g)<\/strong>. Exhale as you lift hips to downward dog, and hold for five breaths (h)<\/strong>. Step or jump feet to your hands, and rise until your back is parallel to the floor (i)<\/strong>. Exhale and fold forward, then inhale and stand, lifting arms overhead (j)<\/strong>. Repeat the entire sequence 3 to 5 times.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Don\u2019t Think You Have a Yoga Body? Here\u2019s Why That Doesn\u2019t Matter<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Spinal<\/a>
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3.\u00a0Upright Cat\/Cow<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why It Works:<\/strong> \u201cThis yoga posture, a seated version of the classic cat\/cow move<\/a>, is designed to move the\u00a0prana or kundalini,\u201d which is Sanskirt for ‘life force which flows through the spine,’ says\u00a0Baraquio. Plus, when you rock back and forth, you\u2019re activating your entire spine \u2014 without putting pressure on it.
\nHow to Do It:<\/strong> Sit with your legs crossed and place hands on knees, shins or ankles\u00a0(a)<\/strong>. Inhale and arch your back, pushing your chest forward and rolling your shoulders down. Engage your abdominals\u00a0(b)<\/strong>. Exhale, rounding your spine and releasing your abs\u00a0(c)<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/strong>Continue for about two minutes, focusing on each breath.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>The 11 Best Yoga Apps to Download Right Now<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Reverse
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Reverse Plank<\/a> Pose<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why It Works:<\/strong> Do you tend to hunch over at a desk all day? (Um, who doesn\u2019t?) This pose counteracts that posture,\u00a0opening your chest and sending oxygen to your heart \u2014 while warming up your legs, arms and core, too.
\nHow to Do It:<\/strong> Sit with your legs extended in front of you, feet together, and palms on the floor about 12 inches behind your butt, fingers pointing forward\u00a0(a)<\/strong>. Inhale and lift your hips and belly up to the ceiling as you drop your head back, keeping palms pressed against the floor\u00a0(b)<\/strong>. Roll the shoulders back, opening your chest and heart\u00a0(c)<\/strong>. Hold for five breaths, and slowly release to return to starting position.<\/p>\n

\"Ego
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Ego Eradicator<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why It Works:<\/strong> The powerful inhalations and exhalations of Breath of Fire (more on this shortly) bring more oxygen to your brain and lungs to help wake up, says Baraquio.
\nHow to Do It:<\/strong> Sit with your legs crossed and raise arms overhead to make a \u201cV\u201d (a)<\/strong>.\u00a0Actively point all your fingers and thumbs up toward the ceiling, then begin Breath of Fire, which is a two-minute sequence of quick, forceful breaths (b)<\/strong>. Each inhale and exhale should take one second, max.<\/p>\n

For more yoga routines you can do anytime, anyplace, head to DailyBurn.com<\/a> and try it free for 30 days.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Want to instantly boost your morning energy? Add these five yoga poses into your a.m. routine to help you wake up alert, revitalized and ready to take on the day. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":43255,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,6,19],"tags":[117,145,341,355,286],"class_list":["post-43100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exercise","category-fitness","category-yoga","tag-relaxation","tag-stretching","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2yoga","tag-yoga"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43100","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43100"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43100\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}