My Guest Post @ Yoganonymous | An Early Morning Respite: Personal Practice Begins with the Breath

I woke up this morning and couldn’t sleep. Giving up on going back to sleep, I made my way downstairs, careful not to wake our new puppy and my fiancé. I got myself a glass of water, feeling parched from the night’s rest. I took a drink and then I took a deep breath. 

I made my way to the living room and sat down in front our large picture window. It was still dark outside, but the light was starting to peek through the trees. I sat for a moment and stared out of the window and then I began to move and stretch. I started with a nice long Balasana (Child’s Pose), found my way into some yummy cat-cow stretches and then worked my neck and shoulders. Next, I moved into gentle twists, forward folds and stretches for my back. Finally, I found myself in my seat, or Sukhasana. Sitting upright, spine lengthened, crown of the head lifting towards the sky, palms resting easy on my thighs, I watched the breath go in and out through my nose and consciously worked to quiet the mind. After a while, I broke my meditation and came on to my back, gazing out of the window again. I studied the way the trees looked against the morning sky and took note as the wind blew through their branches. I considered what I needed to do for the day, but more than that, I considered not doing anything for a little while longer. Finally, when I felt it was time, I got up and started my day.

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