Do you have a morning wellness ritual? How we start our day has an amazingly powerful impact on the overall flavour of our day and life. When we create a morning ritual focused on wellness (mind and body) we are honouring the very best of ourselves, our intentions and our dreams.
My morning meditation is what I consider my most important ritual, and one that I have continued for many years. Each morning around 6.30am I wake to the chime of my meditation timer and take a few moments to slowly expand my awareness to the sound and light around me, before quietly rising to take my seat and settle into my practice. This ‘appointment with self’ is my magic time, when I am able to listen to my inner voice, refocus, refresh and embrace that deep calmness within.
Taking a few moments in the morning to honour your wellbeing in whatever way fits you, supports your highest intentions and provides the best possible foundation for your day .. helping you better manage stress, feel more focused and aware, and encourage a more positive mood.
Waking Up : think ‘slow and gentle’. No jarring alarms or blaring music. Find a meditation timer that chimes, or try sleeping without blinds so your body can learn to rise naturally with the sun (tuning your body clock).
Morning Breath : A mindfulness practice to reconnect with our body and breath at its gentlest and most relaxed state. After waking, turn onto your back and rest both your hands (palms down) across your lower belly area. Notice how your belly moves with each inhalation and exhalation. Feel the gentle expansion and contraction beneath your hands .. the pulse of life. Each new breath, each new morning, a moment in start anew.
Water Up : Ayurvedic philosophy believes the first item you ingest sets the mood for the remainder of the day. A glass of lukewarm water with the juice of half a lemon is amazingly 'awakening' for the body : warm water serves to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and the muscles that keep things moving; and lemons/limes are high in minerals and vitamins.
Meditate : Definitely the favourite part of my morning ritual. Morning meditation connects me to the deep stillness within and gives me the opportunity to reconnect with my 'balanced self' before the day begins. Try sitting up in bed for just 5-10minutes. Don't worry about doing it right. Just breathe and rest. Allow yourself the time to just BE.
Review Intentions : Intentions are our master plan .. reconnecting with our intentions for the day/week/life provides us with focus and a course of action. Simply take a few minutes to reflect on your aims for the day and remind yourself of the dreams you wish to manifest.
Be Grateful : Create a morning gratitude list silently giving thanks for the all the abundance in your life, the wonderful people, new opportunities and magic that you connect with each and every day.
Get Moving : Morning exercise allows us to reconnect with the body, a mindfulness of body meditation, and aids the flow of chi/prana or life energy. Slow stretches, a gentle yoga practice, a brisk walk with the dog will feed your energy levels.
Greet the Day : step outside, raise your face to the sun and witness a brand new day. Breathing in the fresh morning air awakens our senses and charges up our energy for the day ahead. The morning light is recognised as essential for the regulation of our internal clock which then controls our hormone production, sleep and energy levels. Sunlight, fresh air and greenery nourish our body and soul.
Be Creative : Open up your creative mind by listening to inspiring music, reading something motivational or writing in a journal. Connecting with your creative self first thing in the morning .. expands the mind and feeds new thought.
"the most important decision we make each day is to be in a good mood" (Voltaire)
Namaste
Sarah
Quiet Mind Meditation
www.quietmind.com.au
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