June 21, 2018

5 Morning Stretches to Start the Day with Jacquelyn Umof

Former Los Angeles Laker girl turned yogi Jacquelyn Umof shares her morning routine, including five stretches to start the day grounded and uplifted.

Essential morning routine:

Drink 8oz water
5 minute meditation
Get Stretchy morning yoga video
5 minute journaling on who I get to be and manifest that day
Brush/floss/wash face

Go-To Breakfast:

Coffee
Scrambled Eggs
Salsa
Avocado
Sleep is important because it's our personal time to recharge, reset, and renew. I have the most uplifting and positive days when I get a sound sleep.

A Morning Yoga Routine

POSE 1:

Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana

Sit with legs apart, and take the left foot and press it into your right inner thigh. Root tailbone down, lift up and out through the crown of the head. Reach right arm up and over the extended right leg and stretch the right side of the body. Hold here for 5 breathes, supporting the stretch by pulling navel in and up.

POSE 2:

Janu Sirsasana

Sit with legs apart, and take the left foot and press it into your right inner thigh. Square your shoulders with your hips, so that your extended right leg is in front of your right hip and shoulder. Root tailbone down, lift up and out through the crown of the head. Reach both arms up and reach the arms forward over the leg, creating a long extended spine. Hold here for 5 breathes, supporting the stretch by pulling navel in and up. Hold here for 5 breathes, supporting the stretch by pulling navel in and up.

POSE 3:

Pigeon

Begin in downward facing dog, then pull the left knee into the chest and place the left knee and shin in between the hands. Gently lower down onto your left hip, while extending the opposite back behind left hip. Pull the navel up and in to support and elongate the spine. Hold here for 5 breathes, supporting the stretch by pulling navel in and up.

POSE 4:

Mermaid

From pigeon pose, pull the left foot into inner thigh. Bend the back so the right hand can grab right ankle. Lift up from the base of the pelvis, and energetically magnetize the thigh bones towards each other. Stretch and emulate a mermaid! Hold here for 5 breathes, supporting the stretch by pulling navel in and up.

POSE 5:

Forward Fold with Arms Overhead

Sit up tall with legs extended in front of you, navel towards spine, and crown of head reaching towards sky. If available to you, clasp the hands behind your back. If your shoulders are tight, use a yoga strap or small towel to bridge the gap. Reach the crown of the head up and forward to fold over the legs. Hold here for 5 breathes, supporting the stretch by pulling navel in and up.

Keep up with Jacquelyn at her website or on Instagram.