Waking up with purpose & starting your days gently
Your Morning Ritual for Intention 🙏🏾✨
I love mornings. I always have…
When I was younger, I loved mornings because it meant going to figure skating practice before school, which was my favourite thing in the world. Now, I love mornings because I have chosen to live a life where I get to start most days slowly and without rushing, very intentionally.
The simple pleasure of sitting down by a window and as dawn breaks, watching the world slowly awaken…
I truly believe that how we begin our days sets the tone for the hours to follow, and the more intentional we can be with the first few hours of each day, the more alignment we may be able to find throughout, no matter how difficult or stressful the day may get.
My father, for example, starts every day with a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice, and a grilled cheese sandwich. It may seem like a silly, or unconscious routine, yet I am pretty sure for him it is as much of a ritual as it is for me to sit down and journal.
So I invite you to consider,
What does your morning ritual look like, and how does it set the tone for your day?
Is it something that you do automatically, or intentionally? How would you like to shift it and evolve this routine just a bit to serve you better?
As I’ve explored a few methods in the past decade or so, I've realized that no matter what, there are three practices that I return to again and again, no matter how raw and hard things get.
They aren’t practices that require loads of time, space, or money. They are accessible to me whether I feel well or my chronic illness is flaring up, and I can do them while at home, or when travelling.
Consistently engaging in these three things helps me check in with my body, mind, and spirit, and helps me maintain balance throughout my day, no matter what it may bring.
Journaling: Sitting down every morning with my notebook and fountain pen is more than just writing. It's a conversation with myself, a space where thoughts and dreams get clarity and fears and doubts find a voice. The purpose of this type of journaling is to simply provide me with information about how I feel, and what I need to feel more aligned.
Movement: Whether it's a few yoga postures or a morning walk, moving my body helps to wake my mind and spirit, bridging the gap between rest and action and once again, providing me with about how my body feels, and how I can support that through my choices throughout the day.
Photo by Jordi Pros for Laia Bove Breathwork & Meditation: In our busy lives, we often forget to breathe, at least I know I do. Taking a few minutes to do some breathwork every morning helps me not only start the day grounded but also train myself to seek these moments of pause and stillness in other spaces in my day so that I can return to the present moment again and again.
These small rituals are essential for me. They’re flexible in form but consistent in time. I adjust them to suit my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs each day, aligning with what I aim to achieve and how I want to feel.
Perhaps your morning rituals are different. Maybe they're simpler, like my father's orange juice and grilled cheese, or perhaps more elaborate.
The true beauty lies in the intention behind them;
Why do you choose to do what you do?
Once your intention becomes clearer, so will your morning routine. And the more clear your morning routine becomes, the more aware and aligned you will be.
💛 A MORNING JOURNALING PROMPT
If you want to start journaling daily and aren’t sure how; try this simple prompt every morning:
“Today I want to create/invoke/release/embody…”
Let yourself free-write for 5 to 10 minutes, noticing how you breathe, the words you choose, how present you are...
The more you journal, the easier it will become to let yourself flow!
💛 AFFIRMATIONS FOR AN EMPOWERED MORNING
There are many ways to meditate, and many breathwork techniques to explore, each one of them with their benefits.
Here I want to share a 10-minute meditation with affirmations; take a few moments of presence; sit with yourself, breathe, and notice how you feel:
Incorporate this short meditation into your morning routine and find yourself more positive, balanced, and prepared for what life has in store.
💛 30-MINUTE MORNING PRACTICE
Moving your body, even if for just a few minutes, can be a wonderful way to start your day, gaining proprioception, self-awareness, and taking care of your physical body.
This class also includes a journaling prompt and a bit of meditation, so you could try it as your morning routine for a while.
Let me know how it feels for you!
UPCOMING LIVE EVENTS
✨Monthly Online Gatherings
Join me live on Zoom once a month!
Bring your favourite tea or coffee, a journal, comfy clothing, and willingness to connect or simply listen in.
We’ll be chatting for a bit about the monthly topic, and then practice accessible yoga as well as some meditation.
No experience is required, come as you are. 🥰
This class is included for paid subscribers of The Pause (a heartfelt thank you for your support)
I would love to know when to hold these gatherings to best serve you, so please, take 30 seconds to answer these polls, it will be very helpful.
✨January 24th - Lunar Flow for Inner Peace: Aligning with Moon's Energy (online on EkhartYoga)
This 45-minute class is a celebration of balance and tranquility, inspired by the powerful yet gentle influence of the lunar cycle on our body and mind.
The full moon is a symbol of clarity, fulfillment, and renewal, and in this accessible practice, you'll find a deep sense of grounding and stability, while also allowing space for introspection and emotional release.
Bring your journal and pen for a bit of writing as well!
✨February 4th - Create Your Own Sadhana Workshop (in person and online at Sun Yoga Tampa):
In these 2 hours together you will learn simple ways to integrate yogic practices seamlessly into your daily life, ensuring a balanced and genuine spiritual experience that nurtures your personal growth and well-being.
Explore some of the best daily practices that you can do at home, while traveling, or anywhere else, that will ground you and connect you to yourself every single day.
Yoga Alliance-registered teachers will receive two CEUs.
I hope you enjoyed this pause, and that you continue to find tools of support and healing in your life.
If you give any of these practices a try and they resonate, I would love to hear from you!
Until we meet again, remember to pause often, breathe deeply, and stay kind.
Much love,
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