Morning yoga meditation is a great way to start the day on a positive note. Learn how you can add meditation to your morning routine here.
Introduction
Having a morning routine helps set the tone for the day ahead. That way, you control your day rather than allow the day to control you. According to a survey, 92% of people with a morning routine feel highly productive compared to those without. Furthermore, 36% of these people meditate as a part of their morning routine. What’s their secret?
The Practice of Morning Yoga Meditation
Meditation is the practice of withdrawing your senses from external sources to bring all of them to one subject. Studies have shown that meditation helps reduce stress, relieve anxiety and depression, increase productivity, develop compassion, and boost your immune system. All good reasons to meditate.
Reasons to Meditate in the Morning
The benefits of meditation are well established. You can do it anytime, anywhere. But why, particularly in the morning? Here are some reasons:
There are Fewer Distractions
Your husband or child is not yet awake. Your dog is happily snoring in the corner of your living room. In short, you have fewer distractions in the morning. You need to focus to do a proper meditation. And while the true test of focus is to stay still while everyone is trying to get your attention, it can help if you don’t have other beings constantly nudging you for a treat. In short, it’s easier to meditate in the morning because almost everyone is still asleep and can’t distract you.
Your Mind is Clearer in the Morning
A good night’s sleep allows your mind and body to recover. That’s why in the morning, you feel recharged. The mind is also clearer in the morning. This makes it easier for you to focus and observe your thoughts.
You Can Easily Fit it into Your Routine
Many people think meditating is sitting down in a fixed position for an hour. That is not true. A study in 2018 showed that with just 13 minutes of meditation daily for eight weeks, a group of experienced meditators experienced enhanced attention, a lowering of anxiety, improved memory, and a lowering of negative mood. What that shows is that meditating is not about sitting down for hours. You will reap the benefits of meditation if you practice it consistently with the right techniques. Surely you can fit 13 minutes into your morning routine!
You Don’t Need Anything to Do it
Unlike running or journalling, you don’t need to get anything, buy anything, or even go outdoors to practice meditation. All you need to do is sit still, close your eyes, and observe your thoughts. It’s easier to keep a morning yoga meditation routine before the clutter and hailstorms set in later in the day.
How to Build Meditation into Your Morning Routine
Adding meditation to your morning routine can benefit your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Here’s how you can do it:
Start Small and Make It Simple
You don’t need to meditate for long hours. You can start even by setting aside just 5 minutes a day. After a week, increase the time by two minutes. Then another two the following week. You can build up your daily morning meditation to 13 minutes or longer.
And you don’t need to do complicated types of meditation. You can start by just listening to your breath or repeating an affirmation if you follow a guided meditation. You can find a lot of them on YouTube. Or sign up for meditation classes online.
Set a Regular Time in the Morning
For some, it’s best to meditate right after waking up. That way, you won’t forget. Or it could be after a light breakfast. Whatever your time preference, it is best to do it simultaneously each morning. Set the alarm to remind you, if necessary. What you want to do here is to form a habit – but a good one!
Find Your Own Meditation Space
You can turn it into a meditation space if you have a spare corner in your house. If you have the time, money, and inclination, dress it up as you like. Add candles, meditation cushions, and anything you feel will support your meditation practice. But all that is not essential. The meditation corner serves its purpose even if you keep it bare and don’t decorate it.
You Don’t Have to Follow any Fixed Posture
Sitting on the ground in the lotus position, even for a few minutes, is uncomfortable for beginners, let alone sitting for an hour or longer. To begin with, many people are not used to being on the bare floor. So, do not force it if sitting cross-legged on the floor or any other practice is painful or uncomfortable. You can meditate while lying on your bed or a yoga mat. You may also sit on a chair or meditation cushion if that works better for you.
You Don’t Have to Close Your Eyes
You don’t have to close your eyes when meditating, especially if closing them causes your thoughts to wander. Instead, you can practice the Raja Yoga style of meditating with your eyes open and fixing your gaze on one point. It could be candlelight, a flower, or any object.
You Decide What is Best for Yourself
Not everyone is a morning person for one reason or another. If that is the case, that is fine. Do it in the afternoon instead or before going to bed. You can meditate anytime, anywhere. Don’t let anyone tell you how you should practice your meditation. You know yourself best and are the best judge of what is suitable for you.
Add some Asanas
If you find it hard to relax during meditation, try doing some yoga asanas before it. Practicing yoga poses will stretch your body, which usually feels tight and achy after an extended sleep. Or you may feel tired if you had a restless sleep. Morning yoga meditation can help with this. If you choose to have a morning yoga and meditation routine, you exercise your mind and your body.
The Bottomline
Meditation is beneficial to the mind, body, and soul. Adding it to your morning routine will pave the way for a healthy, peaceful, and joyous day.
Want to start your day right by practicing meditation? Join us for our 30-day Meditation challenge followed by Online Mindfulness TTC Course and reap the benefits of a morning yoga meditation routine.
