In this post, Sara Beth will guide you through a series of gentle yoga poses to help you start your day with a sense of peace and relaxation. Let's begin with an extended Child's Pose at the back of your mat. Separate your knees as wide as comfortable and walk your arms out long in front of you. Rest your forehead down onto your mat and take a few deep breaths to completely relax and release tension. This pose is great for relieving stress and calming the mind.

Explore Movement and Appreciate Sensation

When you're ready, rise up into a tabletop position and take a few cat-cow spinal waves. Inhale as you drop your belly and exhale as you round your spine. Feel free to add any other movement that might serve you. Eventually, make your way to downward facing dog and continue exploring movements as you appreciate any and all sensation in your body. Pay attention to how each pose feels and focus on the present moment.

Open Up Your Hamstrings with Ragdoll Pose

Let's find ragdoll at the top of our mats. Separate your feet about hip distance or wider and gently bend your knees. Grab onto your elbows and relax your neck, head, and jaw as your hamstrings begin to open up. Take deep breaths in and out through your nose to deepen the stretch. This pose is great for releasing tension in the back of your legs and promoting relaxation.

Lengthen Your Spine with Halfway Lift

Release your elbows and toe-heel your feet together to touch. Find a halfway lift by sliding your hands up to your shins or thighs. Roll your shoulders back and lengthen up through the crown of your head. Take a big inhale and exhale to forward fold. Repeat this movement a few times to warm up your body and stretch your hamstrings.

Stand Tall in Mountain Pose

Come all the way up to Mountain Pose. Reach your arms overhead and take your arms as wide as you need to relax your shoulders. Engage through your body and stand tall through the crown of your head. Grab onto your left wrist and lengthen out your left side body. Push your right shoulder forward slightly and pull your right hip back. Take a big breath in and out. Switch sides and repeat the stretch on your right side. This pose helps improve posture and release tension in the side body.

Continue with a Flowing Sequence

From Mountain Pose, exhale to forward fold and find a halfway lift. Plant your hands, step your feet back, and lower down to a high plank position. Slowly lower all the way down to your belly and lift your head and chest up for a gentle backbend. Lower your right ear down to the mat and then your left ear. This movement helps release tension in the neck and upper back.

End with Child's Pose and Relaxation

From your belly, place your hands underneath your shoulders, curl your toes under, and press up into a high plank. Send it back to downward facing dog and lower down into Child's Pose. Take a few deep breaths to completely relax and let go of any remaining tension. Remember, your daily yoga practice is your strongest practice and the quickest way to see results in your body and mind. I hope you found it helpful for relieving stress and promoting emotional wellness. Remember to make time for yoga every day, even if it's just a few minutes. Your body and mind will thank you. If you enjoyed this practice, let me know by clicking the like button and leaving a comment with your requests for future videos.