5 Tips for Yoga in the Fall

I love fall! I bake like crazy. Apple pie anyone?!?! I sleep so much better when it is a little crisper and my bed seems that much sweeter! Especially this year because my son is the cuddle king! Hmmmm baby snuggles! So naturally when my alarm goes off at 6am for yoga...I want to hit snooze faster than lightning hits the ground. I stick my foot out to check just how crisp it is, and then I whip it right back under the covers! "Fuck that!" I say to myself and wiggle my nose into my son's soft sweet smelling hair.

Yoga in the morning is the most beneficial as it sets the tone for the day; giving you a mindful and positive start, it helps you feel more prepared for the day by waking up your muscles and your mind, it boosts your metablism, it helps with memory, and it can help with a lot of ailments you may face. So I had to find a way to leave the softness of my sheets, the plushness of my pillow, and sweet baby snuggles. Talk about a challenge! First, get far way from my bed!

In the words of Pattabhi Jois, "No coffee, No Prana!" I find this especially true when it's cold outside. Get out of bed and run for the kitchen, do not walk! Make yourself a cup of hot coffee and perhaps read a piece of yoga literature. Normally I have to get on the mat right away, but in the winter I need to warm myself up and since my mat is on the floor at the base of my bed, I have to actually feel a wake first so I dont want to jump back under the sheets.

Second, have everything ready before bed.

I always have mine set up as this is one of my tips from this blog post, but if you don't do that, I would definitely make sure you set everything up as apart of your night ritual. Lay out what you would like to wear, roll out your mat, have your space clean, anything else you might like (sage, essential oils, blankets, pillows, and/or props). One less execuse not to get up, you dont have to do anything but get on the mat.

Third, go to bed earlier and eat lighter, healthier, and earlier meals. There is nothing like trying to get up for bed at 6am when you stayed up until 2am watching Netflix while snacking on pizza and ice cream. Trust me, I've tried it.

Fourth, prepare to feel stiff.

Already practicing in the morning means your muscles are not warmed up at all, but add in the cold and you may feel like you took two steps back in your practice. This is normal and is not a reflection of your progress. Sun salutations are best for this, they create a fire in the body for the rest of your practice.

Lastly, Schedule something for after your practice ahead of time.

Ideally, you should schedule your entire day before you go to bed this way when you wake up for your practice you know you can't press snooze. "5 more minutes," doesnt really work if your stuck to a schedule. However, if not your whole day, at least schedule something for after your practice and make it something you really want to do. Read a book, take a shower or a bath, or self-massage. Something relaxing and pleasant to look forward too.

And of course, release any expectations. Things do happen so if one morning it doesnt go perfectly, don't lull over it or you may decide not to get up for your practice the following day.

#yogamom #yoga #yogaeverydamnday