Why Morning Yoga

Because morning yoga:

- Sets the mood for the entire day

- Clears the thoughts, and gives us opportunity to remain clear-headed throughout the day

- Makes us more flexible and calm while performing our daily activities

- Gives us more physical energy and endurance

- Enhances awareness of our state of mind and our emotions during various events

- Gives ground to healthier reactions and healthier life

Most people choose to practice yoga and meditation in the afternoon and evening hours. With a long stressful working day behind them, they are able to finally devote time to meeting their needs. Many are not interested in early morning yoga because they wake up early enough as it is. But for people who want to experience true change in their lives, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of morning practice.

When we practice in the afternoon, yoga helps us release the stress and energy blocks accumulated throughout our busy working day. By stretching, breathing, relaxing and being attentive to our thoughts and feelings, we nurture ourselves on the mat and come closer to our true nature. Our mind becomes more quiet and calm. If upsetting events happened to us during the day, after the class we can literally feel how the power they had over us just an hour ago subsidied or completely melted away. We become more relaxed, mellow, light and joyful. And then we go to bed!

On the other hand, when we practice in the morning, we do what I call "preventive" self-nurturing. We prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally for the time we need it the most - during our daily activities and interactions with other people. The morning energetic openings that we experience do not easily wear off. Good and bad things continue to happen around us, but we may find ourselves not reacting in the same way as we ordinarily would. We may be noticing the little changes in our mood, drives and behaviour. For some this means not taking their manager's anger too seriously, for others not getting angry themselves at someone else's mistakes, yet for others not feeling the old urge to gossip. Most people will experience psysical and psychological elevation that will make them want to continue early yoga. But I always encourage students not to form an opinion about morning practice, but rather to come, experience it, see how their day unfolds and then decide whether it's for them or not.