Morning Workout Routine
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Good Day Sunshine is a five-minute morning workout routine that will
give you a
great outlook on your day
Your alarm goes off and it's dark, cold, and
all you've got to look forward to is another day at the office. Getting out of
bed, frankly, sucks. So you hit the snooze button, turn over, and snuggle back
into your pillow for five more minutes of bliss. But—ouch—something
else is amiss. Not only is it cold and dark outside the covers, but your New
Year's resolution of getting into shape has rendered your body sore and stiff.
"This is all I need," you think, your resolution fading with each pang of pain.
"Something to make my life tougher!"
Don't despair; help is on the way. Here is a
5- to 10-minute morning routine that will revamp your outlook on the day. And
the best part is, you don't even have to toss aside the covers to get
started.
Part I - The Snooze Cycle
You've hit the
snooze and buried yourself deep within the confines of your comforter,
contemplating the inevitable reality that you have to leave this space. Here's
how to turn these moments of dread into a time of hope, or even
inspiration.
- Breathe. This is easy,
since you're doing it anyway. Focus on taking a few deep breaths. Breathe in
slowly from your nose and relax as your exhale, letting the breath slide out of
your body.
- Wiggle your toes. Slightly
at first, then work this into flexing and extending them, moving them side to
side and in circles. This simple process is not only a warm-up for your feet.
Jumping out of bed is cold is one of the harshest things you do to your body,
but it primarily affects the feet. If everyone practiced this one simple thing,
maladies like plantar fasciitis would be far less common.
- Do the same with your
hands. Open and close them easily, working up to stretching your fingers as
far as they can go. This is even more vital if you suffer from carpal tunnel
syndrome.
- Next, like a cat, move your
arms and feet as far apart as they can go in a full body stretch. Tense
your body, then relax it. Repeat a few times. This will open up your lungs and
you'll begin to lubricate your connective tissues and bring blood to your
muscles.
- Still under the covers, lie on
your back and slide your knees up. Then drop them to one side. This easy
rotation will stretch out your back and spine. Repeat on the other side.
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You're now ready to get out of bed. As your
feet hit the floor they'll be warm and ready to bear the weight of your body.
Your breathing will be more pronounced and standing will be easier, especially
if you're sore. While the feeling will be subtle, each movement should feel
less restricted.
Part II - The
Sun Salutation
You've taken a great step already, but the
addition of a few Sun Salutations can be truly transforming. No matter how bad
I feel, when I practice this, I'll always hit a point where my mind clears and
it feels as though a weight has been lifted off my body. Every day, no matter
what. It's better than coffee!
There are two types of Sun Salutations, or
Surya Namaskara, if you're traditional or Indian. The first consists of
nine vinyasas, or positions, and the second, of 17. We will discuss the
first type here. Of course, if you want to do more you can.
1st vinyasa. To begin, stand straight
up, feet together, chest up, head tilted slightly down, gazing at the tip of
the nose. This is called Samasthiti, which means standing in a straight
line. Then breath slowly in through the nose, raise your arms overhead, and
bring your hands together. Lean your head back and look up at your
fingertips.
2nd vinyasa. Release your breath
slowly, bend forward, and bring your hands down to the sides of your feet,
trying to touch your knees with your nose.
3rd vinyasa. Then, inhale slowly and
lift only your head.
4th vinyasa. Next, press your hands
on the floor and while exhaling, throw your feet back until you are on your
hands and toes onlylike the bottom of a push-up, but with your arms in close to
your sides.
5th vinyasa. Then press your chest
forward, straightening your neck and bending your back. Look up toward the
ceiling, extending your feet out so that the tops of your toes are pressing
against the ground (this pose is often called "Up Dog").
6th vinyasa. Next, lift the waist up,
tilt the head under, heels to the floor, and gaze at the navellike an inverted
"V" (called "Down Dog").
7th vinyasa. This is a movement that
goes back to the 3rd vinyasa by jumping your feet up close to your hands
and straightening your legs. This can be amended by just stepping forward. I
usually step on the first one and jump on subsequent repetitions.
8th vinyasa. Follow the 2nd
vinyasa.
9th vinyasa. Follow the 1st
vinyasa. Now you should be standing back in Samasthiti.
Repeat as many times as desired. Try to
empty your mind and keep your gazed fixed toward the tip of your nose. Don't
try and push these movements or stretch too much—you're just warming up.
Just concentrate on your breathing and let the Salutations take you into the
day. |
