In the average waking day, humans manifest a myriad of personality traits to cope with life’s pressures. But first thing in the morning there are really only two types of people: those who jump out of bed already convinced they don’t have enough time to do what needs to be done, and those who don’t even want to get out of bed because they are convinced there’s nothing worth doing. Actually, there is no better time to find self-acceptance in your yoga than after you wake up in the morning and before you even think of getting out of bed. The mind hasn’t become alert yet, and it’s the body’s turn to hold court. It’s OK to get up and pee. Just make sure you don’t look in the mirror or you risk accelerating all that mental chatter that will distract you for most of the rest of the day.
It makes no difference if you are a beginner or an adept. Lying in bed before all the troops in your head start arguing about your day is the perfect time to realize your body is perfect for doing your own yoga. And best of all, no one (including you if you do it under the covers) can see you.
Modified Double Pigeon: This is a great way to begin or end the day…it asks little of you except to pay attention.
Alternate Knees to Chest: This shows how tight your psoas muscle can be and offers a window into the parts of your body that are often locked up and of which you may be completely unaware
Half a Happy Baby: Now that you’ve discovered how tight your psoas is, this gives you a chance to ease into opening it.
Hip Side Stretch: You’ll find variations of this posture in many practices. The key is to notice how the iliotibial band controls so much, and how tight it can be.
Hip Attachments and the Quads: I am not suggesting your attached to being cool. Rather i’m hoping you can “crawl” into your body (with your mind’s eye) to see how tightness in your hips is influenced by (and influences) what happens in the front of the legs.
One Leg Hero: Be kind to yourself. Just getting into the beginning of this posture can be a challenge…Remember yoga shouldn’t hurt. If you can’t start, then get out the pillows.
Seated Forward Bend: Perhaps more than any posture, this will show you how the forward bends often ignore 1/2 of their function: to bring breath and openness to the upper body as well as opening the hamstrings…Give yourself a break and let your breath be your guide