Introduction: Every night ends with some wonderful events, the air is fresh, the world is quiet, the sunrays peep through the window as if it is whispering a sense of calm and immense possibility. Prior to rushing to daily task, our body wants some preparatory needs, both physically and mentally. This is where the Sunrise Yoga comes in.
The Sage Gheranda says:
“ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते उत्तिष्ठेत् स्वस्थो रक्षार्थमायुषः।
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणामारोग्यं मूलमुत्तमम्॥“
The meaning of the above
Sanskrit Sloka is "the intending practitioner should rise during the Brahma
Muhurta (the pre-dawn hour) for protecting his health and longevity. Health is the foundation for achieving the four goals of life: Dharma
(duty), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation)."
Sunrise Yoga is not only a fitness trend, it is a powerful daily ritual
that connects us with our breath, stretches body and set our body’s tone
positively throughout the day. Practicing in the serene hours at dawn, it
prepares our body by aligning body’s natural rhythm and taps into the stillness
of dawn – providing clarity, focus and peace.
We may be a busy professional, a student or we may be a craving calmer
start, a short Sunrise Yoga practice can dramatically improve energy, mood and
productivity throughout the day. Here, we will delve into why sunrise is the
ideal time for practicing yoga and how to start a beginner friendly morning
routine and its life changing benefits of starting our day with some positive
intention.
01.Why Sunrise Yoga?
Dawn/Sunrise is much more than a beginning of a new day. The time is
calm, stillness, clarity and renewal. Practicing yoga at this crucial time
provides the practitioner natural energy and sets a powerful tone for how the
rest of day will be.
The answer of why:
i. Provides peaceful environment: In this early hour of the day, the environment is clear, mild and cool air mixed with the sound of birds’ chirping, less distraction of our mind which we can focus on our breath, our body and our practice.
ii. Aligns with Nature’s Rhythm: During this time, sunrise coincides with body’s natural and regular rhythm. Practicing yoga during this time (Brahma Muhurta), helps us to awaken our senses and align us with the day’s energy.
iii. Calm and mental clarity: During this period, the practitioners will feel more focused, centered, and emotionally balanced since starting the day with some practice and mindfulness clears the mental fogginess.
iv. Energy Boost for the whole day: Some yoga postures with Pranayama in the morning hours clears blocked proper circulation during the earlier night and supplies oxygen through out the body which helps our proper metabolism and provides energy throughout the day.
v. Spiritual development: According to our yogic philosophy, Brahma Muhurta (Pre-dawn) hours is the perfect time for practice and is considered sacred. Practicing yoga during this time, supports inner growth, intuition and calm awareness. During this time, the subtle bodies of various Yogis travel through the cosmos and if, in any way, if you come within their notice, you will be blessed and that will be your whole life’s earning.
BENEFITS OF SUNRISE YOGA:
i. Physical Benefits: Let us imagine, we have started our day with dizziness and stillness and
with blocked mind, the whole day will be spoiled. But, if we wake-up before the
sunrise and start with some Asanas, Pranayama and Meditation, we will feel
energetic with clear mind and our body is now ready to take-up any kind of
work. This is the essence of Sunrise Yoga – a few minutes simple practice
provides powerful benefits for our physical health, mental clarity and
emotional balance.
Practicing Yoga during the sunrise helps our body’s return to natural
rhythm and enjoy the serenity of early morning rather than practicing Yoga in
the evening. It is the time when our mind is highly receptive, our surrounding
is calm and we are fully charged. With some regular practice of Sunrise Yoga
does not just help us to become flexible rather it helps us to become more
focused, grounded and in control the whole day.
ii. Mental Benefits: Sunrise Yoga not only provides us the physical benefits but also it help
us to well nurture our mind. Practicing Yoga before sunrise when the
surrounding is calm, it offers several mental and emotional advantages that
transform our entire day and that too our long-term mindset. The following are
mental benefits:
·
It
enhances mental clarity
·
It
reduces stress and anxiety
·
It
boosts concentration and productivity
·
It
cultivates a positive mindset
·
It
improves emotional resilience
iii. Emotional and Spiritual Benefits: Sunrise Yoga is just not stretching at the
dawn; it connects the practitioners with the inner world for self-realization.
While physical and mental benefits are well known, the emotional and spiritual
benefits often go more deeper, provides a sense of peace which lasts long after
the practice.
The emotional and spiritual benefits are:
·
It
encourages emotional balance
·
Uplifts
natural mood
·
Promotes
self-compassion
·
Helps
self-realization
Conclusion: Rise
with the Sun – Strengthen Mind-Body connection:
Sunrise Yoga is
not only meant for stretching body, it also helps the practitioner to change
his lifestyle. It connects with
the nature, nurture with inner peace and set a powerful tone for the rest of
the day. In the soothing atmosphere with golden and enriched Vitamin D sunrays,
mind become fresh, breath becomes deeper and body becomes more receptive.
Moreover, it bridges the gap between how we feel inside and how we express it
outside. This is the true purpose of Sunrise Yoga.
By rising before
the sun, the practitioner can create a space for removing his stillness before
the surrounding rushes in. We can adjust our body’s rhythm, can become more
mentally balanced, focused and self-aware. This mind and body connection is
just not for yoga practice but for enjoying the whole day’s activities.
Let Sunrise Yoga
become our true natural friend to awaken us before sunrise, realign us, reset
and rise – inside and outside.