Have you ever woken up feeling like you haven’t slept at all? Or maybe you noticed that you just don’t have the energy to do anything?
The case might be simple, your energy is low and you’re running on fumes.
Whenever I feel like I can’t go on or I’m just in a lousy mood in general, I turn to yoga.
You may think ‘But yoga is for relaxation, how can it energize me?’
Trust me, certain yoga poses can definitely invigorate your body.
Read on to find out which yoga poses you can do in order to kick-start your day and get an energy boost!
1. Mountain Pose – Tadasana
We’re starting off with Mountain pose. This one will ground you while also bringing energy to your body.
How to: This one is pretty easy, stand with your feet together and spread your toes. Don’t shift your weight to specifically one leg, distribute it evenly.
Engage your whole body, bring awareness to your calves, thighs, and strengthen your core and arms.
Straighten your back and open up your chest. Feel yourself draw the energy from the earth.
2. Standing Forward Fold – Uttanasana
Transitioning from Mountain pose, take a deep breath and sweep your hands over your head. On your exhale, bend at the hips. This pose aims to release tension in your body.
How to: Now that you’ve transitioned into Forward fold, let your arms hang, but if it’s within your practice try to put your palms on the ground or even grab your ankles.
3. Camel Pose – Ustrasana
Now, bend your knees and lower them on the mat. Camel pose aims to open up the heart and invite energy into your body while releasing pent-up energy.
How to: As you’re on the floor now, with your knees bent (but not sitting on them), reach your arms back for your heels. This will open up your chest and heart, aiming for the sky.
4. Downward-Facing Dog -Adho Mukha Svanasana
Downward-facing dog will strengthen your body and clear your mind, while also improving circulation.
It will help you release any old energy and this inversion definitely comes as a refreshment.
How to: Bring yourself back up slowly from Camel pose and bring your palms to the mat.
Lift your hips up and straighten your legs. Your head should be between your arms. Take at least 5 breaths here.
5. Low Lunge – Anjaneyasana
The Low lunge definitely will energize your legs and stretch the muscles, perfect for a morning wake-up call!
How to: From Downward dog, step your foot in between your arms and use your core to lift yourself up. Lower your back knee to the ground, while your front knee should be aligned with your ankle.
Lift your arms and stay here for a couple of breaths.
6. Chair Pose – Utkatasana
This pose will definitely build up your confidence, it may seem like an easy pose, but trust me, with this one, you’ll feel the burn.
How to: While you’re still in the lunge, lift your knee and step to the front of the mat with your feet together. Next, act as if you’re going to sit down in a chair and lift your arms over your head.
7. Plank Pose – Phalakasana
Plank is well-known across all forms of exercise. This pose will definitely activate your core and strengthen it.
How to: From the Chair, bring your hands to the mat and step both of your feet back. Your whole body should be straight as a, well, plank. Stay in this pose for as long as you can.
8. Four-Limbed Staff Pose – Chaturanga Dandasana
Now, this is the one I personally struggle with the most. It’s great for building upper body strength while also strengthening your core.
How to: From Plank, bend your elbows and bring yourself down into a push-up position. It’s important that you keep your elbows close to your body. This one is definitely a challenge!
9. Upward-Facing Dog – Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
This is another chest-opening one and opening up your heart is vital in inviting new energy into your body and giving your day a great start.
How to: From your Four-Limbed staff pose, lower yourself fully to the ground, but keep your hands where they are.
Next, lift yourself up, bending your back and lifting your thighs off the mat.
Stay here for a couple of breaths and when you’re done, you can either go into Corpse pose or just sit on your mat and thank yourself for taking the time to do something good for your body and mind.
How Can I Incorporate Yoga Into My Daily Routine?
Incorporating yoga into your daily life isn’t that hard. It doesn’t take much time and it doesn’t require a lot of equipment, if any at all.
You can do it in the morning, after lunch or before bed!
You don’t necessarily have to go to a yoga studio in order to do yoga. It’s easily done from the comfort of your own home.
But in order to see a difference you need to stay consistent and mindful. Listen to your breath and body, notice how your breath animates your body and how it feels.
Start Your Day Off Energized
Yoga isn’t just designed for relaxation and flexibility. We can also use it to strengthen our bodies and discipline our minds.
And these poses are designed to do just that. They may not make you feel like you’ve just ran a marathon, but you will definitely be refreshed and energized after.
Lover of good music, reading, astrology and making memories with friends and spreading positive vibes! 🎶✨I aim to inspire others to find meaning and purpose through a deeper understanding of the universe’s energies.