Especially this time of year when it is getting darker and colder you might experience energy levels dropping, in that case, this might be the cure for you! This short wake up series with powerful yoga poses from kundalini yoga, is recommended by Yogi Bhajan to practice every morning, to clear and increase your energy.
Photos by Saara Oinonen
Breath of fire is a powerful breathing technique to increasing your energy flow. If you are new to this breathing technique you can try it in a seated position first with one hand on your belly. As you exhale draw the navel up and in and inhale to relax the abdomen. By focusing on the pumping the navel on your exhales, your inhalation will happen naturally as you breathe in and out through the nose. If you begin to feel lightheaded, take a couple of deep breaths normally before you continue.
1. Stretch Pose. Begin lying on your back, reach the arms parallel to the body, unless you have any lower back issues then you can place the hands under the sacrum for support. Inhale to begin as you raise the legs (option to raise one leg at a time if the lower back begins to feel uncomfortable), feet, head and shoulders off the floor and hold the pose as you reach through your fingertips and activate the core. Gaze at your big toes and hold the pose for 1 minute using breath of fire. Exhale to lower down to lie on the back.
Benefits: Strengthens the abdominal muscles, prevents lower back problems, aids digestion, activates the center of power, increases willpower and patience.
2. Nose to knees. Bend in the knees towards your nose and wrap the arms around the legs. Close the eyes and use breath of fire for 1 minute.
Benefits: Aids digestion and regulates the metabolism.
3. Spinal rocks. Begin to rock up and down the spine, from neck to tailbone, massaging the back. Breathing normally for one minute as you rock back and forth.
Benefits: Relaxes the nervous system and reprogrammes it which allows you to let go of any old habits that no longer serves you.
4. Ego-Eradicator. Rock up into a seated position and extend the arms out to 60 degree angle, fold the fingertips with palms facing forwards and extend the thumbs straight up. Keep the arms straight and relax the shoulders down away from the ears. Close the eyes and focus on your third eye, the point between the eyebrows and hold the pose, using breath of fire for 1 minute. Inhale to and raise the arms up above the head until the tips of the thumbs meet above the head, hold the breath and exhale to slowly lower the arms, spreading the palms to clear and energize your aura.
Benefits: Increase your radiance and your mental clarity, increases lunkapacity and strengthens the heart.
Set your intention for the day and keep this calm yet focused energy throughout your day.
Namaste
