As the nights draw in in the Northern Hemisphere, it can feel like the low light and cold weather are sapping your energy. Waking up in the dark and going to bed in the dark can make you feel rather glum, so we spoke to a NASM-qualified personal trainer, Elethia Gay, to get her advice on how to boost energy levels in the morning.
“I start my mornings off right with a powerful line-up of energizing poses,” says Gay.
“This routine revitalizes my body and mind, leaving me feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the day ahead. I only do this routine once however you can make it longer and add cardio like jumping jacks, high knees, or breath work.”
This eight-move workout combines yoga poses with full-body exercises, so you’ll be strengthening and stretching your body at the same time. You can do it quickly after waking up, or take your time and repeat it two or three times.
How to do the energizing morning workout
- Push-ups: 10 repetitions
- Plank: 10-15 seconds
- Downward Dog: 5-10 breaths
- Cat-cow: 8-10 rounds
- Seated ear to shoulder pose: 6 on each side
- Seated shoulder rolls: 5-10 in each direction
- Seated forward bend: 6 breaths
The exercises
(Image credit: Elethia Gay)
Reps: 10 Sets: 1-3
Start with your body face facing the floor, with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your arms straight, pushing off the ground. Extend your legs straight out behind you, resting on the balls of your feet. Keep your back and core engaged, forming a straight line from your head to your heels.
Lower your body towards the floor by bending your elbows, keeping them tucked in close to your sides. Continue to lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor.
Take a brief pause, then use your hands to push and straighten your elbows. This will lift your body back to the initial position. Be sure to exhale as you push up and inhale as you lower down.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Time: 10-15 seconds Sets: 1-3
Begin with your body hovering above the ground, supported by your…
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