Good Morning Yoga with Zoe
Yoga in the morning is a different class to Yoga at other times of the day. Consequently the focus of our Good morning yoga with Zoe is like a ritual. We will guide you to start off the day in a conscious and self loving way. Our bodies have been lying sedentary and just like a cat or dog can benefit from a stretch so can we. But let me give you a little tip from Ayurveda to boost our immune system.
Start the day with a warm drink
There are so many benefits combining Yoga and Ayurveda. In Ayurveda we use food and spices as our medicine kit. A great drink for Autumn and Winter to soothe the Vata's hyper energy. Combine warm lemon juice with a tsp of ginger powder and 1/2 tsp of turmeric into a glass of water. You can read more about our Vata tips here. For this reason it will kick start a sluggish digestive system. Consequently you will have a gentler way to start the day rather than a kick in the adrenal glands from coffee. Likewise this immune boosting drink is just what your germ fighting cells need to gather a strong army.
The many benefits of turmeric
The western world has picked up on the many benefits of turmeric, as turmeric contains bioactive compounds with powerful medicinal properties. Moreover turmeric has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb.
Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric.
- Turmeric Dramatically Increases the Antioxidant Capacity of the Body
- Curcumin Is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound
- Turmeric Dramatically Increases the Antioxidant Capacity of the Body
- Curcumin Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Linked to Improved Brain Function and a Lower Risk of Brain Diseases
- Curcumin Should Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
- Turmeric Can Help Prevent (And Perhaps Even Treat) Cancer
- Curcumin May Be Useful in Preventing and Treating Alzheimer's Disease
- Arthritis Patients Respond Very Well to Curcumin Supplements
- Studies Show That Curcumin Has Incredible Benefits Against Depression
- Curcumin May Help Delay Aging and Fight Age-Related Chronic Diseases
You can read more about how turmeric improves your life in Healthline
Learn why eating fruit boosts your health
By introducing your first piece of fruit into your system, this is a great start to bringing in four pieces of fruit a day. Fruit is uniquely known as natures little vitamin pills that grow on the trees, just for us. Similarly you could have an orange or banana.
In the light of papaya let me tell you about the many benefits such as:- it lowers cholesterol. As a matter of fact papaya is rich in fibre, Vitamin C and antioxidants which, prevent cholesterol build up in your arteries. As well as:-
- Helps in weight loss. ...
- Boosts your immunity. ...
- Good for diabetics. ...
- Great for your eyes. ...
- Protects against arthritis. ...
- Improves digestion. ...
- Helps ease menstrual pain.
Learn how you can grow turmeric in your home no matter the climate it is possible!
There are so many benefits and uses for sesame oil
Another important good morning yoga practice is, to introduce to you sesame oil. Additionally sesame oil is known to be a boon to humanity. The sesame plant’s nutritional qualities have inspired some to dub its oil the “Queen of Oilseeds”
Freshen your face with some water followed by a smearing of sesame oil. Turn your phone off and let's get into our morning yoga practice. Make sure now to set yourself up in a place where you wont be disturbed and free from any draft. Have a blanket, mat and bolster at hand.
Our Good morning Yoga with Zoe focus is on the breath
Our good morning yoga class with Zoe, is a great way to start the day by stretching and bringing our focus to our breathing. The 4th limb of Yoga is called Pranyayama. "Pranayama is control of Breath". "Prana" is bringing the breath or vital energy into the body. On subtle levels prana represents the pranic energy responsible for life or life force, and "ayama" means control. So Pranayama is "Control of Breath".
Prāṇāyāma a Sanskrit word, is the practice of breath control in yoga. In modern yoga as exercise, it consists of synchronising the breath with movements between asanas, but is also a distinct breathing exercise on its own, usually practised after asanas. In our Good morning Yoga class we will start with a practice that includes body cleanses such as kriya and bhandas.
We use pranayama to empty any impurities from the lungs. The breathing practices in Yoga are an opportunity to develop awareness on all facets of the breath. Together with the inhalation (puraka), pause (kumbhakha) and exhalation (rechaka) we have the complete cycle of the breath. Puraka is a word originated from India that means "inhalation." Combining kumbhaka (breath retention) and recaka (exhalation) we have a complete cycle of breathing that can be unnoticed throughout the whole of ones life.
Yogapedia explains the importance of the breaths
Many diseases are thought to be caused by disturbances within the pranic energy system in the body and mind. Therefore, effective practice of kumbhaka in conjunction with pranayama is believed to help prevent and treat a wide variety of diseases, from skin disorders to diabetes. Kumbhaka also has the following benefits:
- Helps remove impurities from the body
- Boosts physical and mental vitality
- Improves concentration
- Clears and stills the mind
Puraka expands not only the body but the mind
Performing puraka stimulates the body, enlarges the chest cavity, fills the lungs with air and moves the diaphragm down. It is believed that beginners should first practice puraka and recaka with a 1:2 duration ratio before moving on to practice kumbhaka.
At the end of a proper puraka, the lungs should be filled and expanded completely, but it should still be a slow and controlled act; the time taken to perform puraka should remain consistent throughout repetitions. If a practitioner has to pause one or more times during the process of a single puraka, the process might be called a broken puraka.
Puraka and the process of yogic breathing is a core skill for any yoga practitioner. Mastering the puraka-kumbhaka-recaka cycle not only aids in meditation and pranayama exercises, it also helps the practitioner surrender to asanas during their physical practice and can serve as a means of measuring the duration of poses.
Rechaka signifies the exhaling surrender
Rechaka, or rechaka pranayama, means "exhalation." Slow rechaka also helps to maintain the elasticity of the lungs. It offers some major benefits for the brain, as well. The slow respiration requires the help of the cerebral cortex, which sends impulses to the respiratory centre. These impulses overflow into the hypothalamus (a centre of emotion) and quiets that area, providing a soothing effect.
A controlled and focused rechaka helps prepare the individual for the yogic limb that follows pranayama: pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). If the practitioner observes and focuses on their breathing, it helps switch off other senses and mental processes.
Kumbhaka the inspirational pause between the breaths
Kumbhaka means "breath retention." It is a technique that is a key component of pranayama breathing exercises used in conjunction with meditation and some yoga asanas. By practicing Kumbhaka it is believed to increase the heat in the body and, in doing so, provide a range of physical and mental health benefits.
Good Morning Yoga can be as simple as taking a conscious breath
To fully benefit from our Good Morning Yoga practice, we need to turn our attention inwards and this is done using the practice of the breath. The Buddha taught many different forms of breathing to increase our focus on the subject of meditation.
In yoga we start with the body as our point of focus. Believe it or not, but our body is the easiest part to take control of. Our Good morning yoga practice is livelier than our other two classes. The lunchtime "Chair Yoga Works" and "Sleepy time Yoga" class. We will start off the day moving the body and stimulating our circulation and digestion with the asanas.
Each class is finished with a Yoga Nidra relaxation to allow the body to settle and recalibrate. We also introduce gratitude, forgiveness and affirmations to start your day by setting up a positive mindset. Equally important our practice will end with a brief guided meditation that connects with your intuitive wisdom. Sitting still lets our body and mind come back to its natural state of peace. Nowhere to go with nothing to do. Another key point allowing the mind to totally focus on as little as possible or a higher level of consciousness.
Contact Yoga works with Zoe today
If you have any questions about our Good morning yoga with Zoe then give her a call on +61 407 956 071 or send us a note. There is more information on preparation for your yoga class here. In the event that you have tried Yoga and think it is not for you, read here about the 7 benefits of yoga (and there are so many more!)
Send us a note to find out more about our Yoga Ayurveda retreats
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