I'll always remember my first yoga teacher.

 

I was 21 and had joined a gym for the first time.

 

Trialling classes like spin and body pump, I would sweat so hard my red hair dye would stream down my face.

 

One day I looked at the schedule and saw yoga. I'd heard of yoga, it was some kind of exercise that was mostly for hippies…

 

It was like nothing I had ever done.

 

Having always been flexible as a child I was surprised to find that it seemed to be mostly about flexibility, yet was also extremely physical exerting.

 

Most confusingly was the teacher's calm and gentle instructions, her focus on our breath, and telling us to clear our minds.

 

As an anxiety sufferer I found myself calming in a new way.

 

Towards the end of the class she made us do this thing called 'pigeon pose.'

 

Effortlessly she demonstrated this contorted pose.

 

Already struggling to lift my leg up to where my hands go, I felt the calm teacher's hands on my hips, straightening me and easing me into more depth. I nearly cried.

 

I'd never moved my hip in that way and I wanted to know how to do it effortlessly, like her.

 

I would attend this teachers one yoga class religiously until she told me I could do even more yoga at a nearby studio where she taught.I joined immediately.

 

I have now been doing yoga for almost 11 years.

 

Yes I'm fit and flexible which is wonderful, but what has kept me coming back to my mat day after day, year after year is how I feel with yoga, vs how I feel without it.

 

If I choose to skip out on a day of yoga, not much happens.

 

But if I go multiple days without yoga, not only does my body begin to feel more tense and rigid - but my mind is deeply impacted.

 

Anxiety and stress, two of my most common challenges, begin to creep their way back into my days.

 

I feel less grounded, like I'm literally hovering above the earth untethered, less purposeful or directional in my decisions and actions.

 

Over the past 11 years having now studied many modalities I have acquired quite the menu of practices I like to swap between each morning.

 

Many mornings I do yoga, but some mornings I do Taoist meditations like the inner smile, or practice Qi Gong.

 

Some mornings I go for a run, or a silent walk in nature.

 

Some mornings I do a rose tea ceremony, silently sipping tea in the first rays of light.

 

Some mornings I put on music and simply move with the energy that is alive in my body.

 

Some mornings I do a pleasure practice, like breast massage, jade egg or simply a juicy wank.

 

The point is, when I'm doing my morning practice I am present, I am with me, I am setting down foundations for my day that feel: grounded, intentional, self loving, connected.

 

I learnt that it's not so much the yoga that has impacted my life so greatly, though it absolutely has and I'll probably be doing yoga in my 90s!

 

It is the commitment to a morning practice that has been the game changer for me.

 

On the mornings I skip morning practice (because believe me I do sometimes, I'm no saint!)

 

I roll over and turn my phone off aeroplane mode, and as the notifications ping I am first hit with a dose of adrenaline from the likes, the email I've been waiting on, a text from a lover.

 

But just as quickly as I receive the dopamine, I feel my chest begin to construct with the to do list that instantly starts forming in my mind.

 

One minute I'm scrolling and the next I'm already replying to emails, to clients, and it's not even 7am.

 

In other people I see their lack of morning routine looking like waking up to their alarm, rolling out of bed, into the shower and eating a piece of toast on the way to work.

 

Not a second to themselves.

 

Others I see turning on the news and being instantly bombarded with the devastation of the world news, because let's face it, there is always global devastation to be broadcasted.

 

Master Mantak Chia says that the cultivation of a morning routine whether it be mediation, breath-work, yoga, dance: results in a stronger mind, stronger determination and much better energy to accomplish their life.

 

I am learning in this life, like the daily rising and setting of the sun- if you want something you need to be consistent.

 

Whether that thing is building an empire, or having a life you love.

 

This is no longer a woo woo concept only practised by yogis and meditations. Psychologists and scientists alike agree that the implementation of a morning routine can improve your life from your:

 

-Happiness

-success

-lowering stress

-feeling grounded / in control

-improving relationships

-confidence

 

And so much more.

 

So my invitation for you this week is this:

 

-Take a look at your mornings, get real honest with yourself, what do you spend the majority of your mornings doing?

 

-Again, honestly reflect - do these mornings support you having a healthy, happy, successful life?

 

-If yes amazing, go you! Now, write down ways you desire to expand and deepen your practice

 

-If no, that's okay, no one teaches us about morning routines in school. But, now you're an adult and it's only you that can make a change.

So write down 2x things you want to commit to in the mornings for the next 14 days

 

For example:

1. I commit to not scrolling on my phone for at least teh first 30 minutes of the morning

2. I commit to doing 15 minutes of quiet stretching.

 

Notice how I didn't go straight for goals like 1 hour of mediation and no phone for 5 hours. When creating new habits we have to go slowly, allowing ourselves time to adjust.

 

Here is a link to a Rise and Radiate meditation I made - you can use this for the following 7 days to start your day more radiantly in your body <3

 

xx Chloe

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