Morning Bliss

What a precious time to cherish and embrace...

Before the sun has risen...

Before the birds have begun to sing to one another in the trees...

Before the hustle of the day has taken over the peaceful silence in the streets...

There's something magical that comes with the dawn of a brand new day!

Four weeks ago I underwent a small day surgery to repair an umbilical hernia that I had been living with for five years too many and the entire experience has forced me to take a step back and slow down.

Being the passionate fitness fanatic that I am, it's fair to say that at times this has been very challenging for me but also extremely rewarding. This necessary time for healing my injury has given me an opportunity to embrace more time reflecting on my goals and where I envision myself in the future...

It's also given me a chance to rest my body that I had been pushing extremely hard these last six years as an Aerial Artist and encouraged me to heal and mend other parts of me that I had been neglecting.

As an athletic dancer I've always understood the benefits of rest for physical recovery but more and more I am also learning the importance of inner healing and taking time to quiet the mind and embrace the spirit.

When we allow ourselves to connect with our intuition and open our hearts to what lies within, we open the gateway to personal healing; creating space for new visions, ambitions and dreams to develop.

I have found that the most effective time for me to indulge in this inner work is first thing in the morning...

Waking up with a fresh mind and rested body invites the perfect opportunity to reprogram and replace unwanted thought patterns. In the morning we are working with a clean slate which makes it easier to fill up with high quality energy and redirect ourselves into positive thinking and healthy habits.

I can admit that it hasn't been easy disciplining myself while recovering from this surgery. I've allowed myself to fall off track quite a bit with the exception that my body had been in repair mode and needing the extra sleep.

But now that I am well on my way to full recovery, I am ready to put my focus back on making more time in my life for mindfulness, reflection, grounding and self-care.

I'm about to share with you, ten morning rituals that have allowed me to take charge and gain better control on the process of bringing my dreams to life. My hopes are that by sharing what works for me, someone out there will feel empowered to do the same and create their own blissful recipe for self growth and resilience.

We all deserve space in our lives for this kind of life changing work and we've always been worthy of it.

It's time to make the choice, leap into change and embrace the journey of creating your own inner bliss!

Here's how I make that choice each and every day:

Step 1- Creating Your Space for Peace

A great way to inspire more inner healing into your schedule is to create a cozy little nook in your home designated especially for this precious time with the self. Remember to surround this sacred space with things that bring you comfort and spark feelings of joy. I've decorated my place of oasis with a vision board, yoga mat, cozy pillows and blankets, healing crystals and essential oils. If you have children, this can be a great activity to plan together. Allowing your little ones to join in on the fun and decorate their own sanctuary for inner healing will not only show them the importance of self love for themselves but also teach them why alone time for Mommy is healthy too!

Step 2- Setting Your Alarm Clock Two Hours Earlier

I know that this is easier said than done but in order to spend more time with ourselves we need to make more time for ourselves...I highly recommend customizing your alarm clock to a ring tone or song that triggers positive feelings. Studies have shown that sound frequencies can influence the human mind and body...

Being a more sensitive person, most generic alarm or smart phone tones can set off a feeling of unease or panic for me... I've personalized my alarm to a gentle yoga chant and it's encouraged a much more enjoyable experience waking up. Another helpful tip is to place your phone in a separate room. This will prevent the blue light in your phone screen from reducing melatonin in your body and disrupting your sleep through the night and also give you a good reason to get out of bed when it goes off; instead of hitting that tempting snooze button.

Step 3- Conscious Breathes and Body Awareness

We often take our breathe for granted. Our lungs breathe for us and so it's easy to forget how good it feels to take in a nice deep breathe and feel gratitude towards being alive. Conscious breathing takes us into our body, and there's no better time than first thing in the morning to take a moment to honor our temple and fill up with gratitude. I realize that we are not always living in optimal health and that some of you out there may even be dealing with disease or disabilities but we always have something to be grateful of; there is always a part of us that we can still count on as a blessing. Whether it's the fact that you can count all ten fingers on your hands, or the fact that you have two eyes gifting you with vision to admire the sunrise each morning...

Before you leave your bed for the day, take a moment to count your body blessings...

Take a moment to breathe it all in and be grateful that you are alive!

Step 4- Mindful Hydration

Drinking a full glass of water upon waking is healthy for our metabolism and helps flush out toxins that accumulate in our body while we sleep. I always set aside a full glass next to my bedside ready for me to indulge in first thing the morning. Drinking my first full glass of water each day has become a mindful practice for me.

We are so blessed to live in a country that provides clean drinking water. In developing countries, so many illnesses are linked to poor water conditions...So often we forget to acknowledge how sacred clean water is for our health and well being, Send gratitude and thanks out into the universe by drinking your first glass of water each day with mindfulness and gratitude towards all the nourishment it brings.

Step 5- Cleansing Ceremony

A traditional practice called smudging involves burning sacred herbs as a ceremony of cleansing. The smoke created by burning these herbs is not only helpful for purifying the air but also helps cleanse the body and soul, encouraging clarity of the mind. I mostly burn Sage or Palo Santo wood and like to do so prior to any mindful yoga practice or meditation. Dancing smoke around the area where I will be spending time with myself each morning ensures that my space for grounding is free of negative energies and set with brand new intentions of well being. Make sure to open windows to let the smoke along with any unwanted energies have an exit point. It can also be very helpful to recite positive affirmations during your cleansing practice or ask for guidance on the lessons you need to learn during your time of reflection..

Step 6- Write Your Thoughts Out

I've been writing for all of my life, and sometimes it gets away from me but I always feel so much more grounded when I am writing in my journal every day. Writing three full pages in the morning and at night before bed allows me to stay in touch with what's going on inside. This therapeutic exercise is a way for me to free up space and go within to find out what I am needing to learn in order to shine at my brightest.

Unlike blogging, this form of freehand writing is just for me and I don't put any pressure on what comes out....

I have often connected with my pen and paper as a form of spirituality; a safe place where I can meet with my guiding angels to help me work out the kinks in my life and redirect me to where I am destined to be.

Step 7- Ayurvedic Self Massage

The practice of Abhyanga/Ayurvedic Massage, has existed for over 5000 years as a form of self healing and natural medicine. I was introduced to this holistic approach through my Yoga Teacher Training and am amazed at how much my body has benefit from it. Regular daily Ayurvedic self-massage can help increase circulation, increase mental awareness, encourage better sleep and release tension from day to day stress that accumulates in our bodies. Choose a blend of essential massage oils that enlighten your senses and make sure to focus on the parts of your body that are calling out for extra care. There are plenty of helpful guides online that explain how to perform this self pampering treat! But most importantly, listen to your body and go with what feels good for you!

Step 8- Yoga

My morning practice mostly consists of gentle neck and shoulder stretches followed by breathing exercises and a short Vinyasa flow. I like to take my time and let my body take me to where it needs to be...

With no fixed plan, I listen closely and focus on the sections that need extra mending. Once my yoga session feels complete, which normally lasts roughly a half hour to forty five minute...I wrap myself up in a cozy blanket and close my practice in Shavasana (laying down pose) and get ready for a full body relaxation.

Step 9- Relaxation and Meditation

Soft music, blankets, yoga props and pillows are welcome...this time is for full body, mind and soul relaxation.

I enjoy settling into this state by lighting some candles and laying back on my yoga mat with no other intention than relaxing my entire body from head to toe and inviting my mind to do the same through meditation.

Our mind produces over 60,000 thoughts a day so it's most likely that if you are new to meditation, being inwardly focused and removing your attention from the outside world can be a great challenge.

An alternative that can be very helpful when first inviting meditation into your life is the use of guided meditations which you can easily find on YouTube. One of my favorite relaxation gurus is Jason Stephenson. There's something about his accent that triggers immediate relaxation for me and takes me to a place of bliss.

Step 10- Carry the Gift with You

And last but not least, once I have completed all of these little rituals in whichever order feels right...

I remind myself to bring this new found peace with me throughout my day...

I remember to slow down and live in each moment with openness and gratitude for what is.

We are always surrounded by simple gifts to embrace...

Gifts that can teach us to live more generously towards ourselves and towards others.

By opening our hearts before heading out into the world we become channels that inspire and spread light!

The time we put into ourselves will make the world a more beautiful place...

And it can all start by making it a priority to go within and tap into that morning bliss!

Remember that it's OK to not be a perfectionist about these morning rituals...

Somedays you'll skip them...

Some mornings it will feel better to snuggle up in bed a little longer...

Let your heart guide you and trust the process...

Every little step of effort will go a long way.

Be kind to yourself. You deserve it!

Namaste

Photo by Marc Pelletier

https://www.instagram.com/marcports506/?hl=en