Tanja Alexandra Kern 
As the days are slowly warming up, it is time to leave winter sluggishness behind and to revamp our energies.
Here are 5 ways to be more alert this spring.
- Morning Meditation
Get up 15 minutes earlier and make it to your meditation cushion or a comfortable spot where you can sit undisturbed for a little while. If you like, light a candle, play some relaxing music, and set your meditation timer. Now close your eyes, and focus your awareness on your breath.
Begin to count your breaths. Start by inhaling and exhaling, one. Inhale and exhale, two. Take a breathe in, three, breathe out, three. Continue counting to ten and then start again from the beginning. When thoughts come in and distract you from counting, just bring your awareness back on your breath and start from the beginning again.
- Pranayama
Practicing Nadi Shodana Pranayama helps to balance and energize both sides of the body and brain. To begin, sit comfortably.
Curl the index and middle finger of your right hand in towards your palm. Exhale completely.
Now close your right nostril with your right thumb and inhale through your left nostril. Close your left nostril with your right ring finger and lift your thumb to exhale through the right nostril.
Inhale through the right, close the nostril, and exhale through the left.
Inhale left, close, exhale right, inhale right, close and exhale left.
Continue in your own rhythm for a few minutes and if you like, close your eyes. When ready, exhale through the left, lower your right hand on to your thigh and just breathe normally, taking deep and steady in- and exhales through your nose. Notice how you feel.
- Yoga
If you are already practicing yoga, I invite you to find some time in the morning to move through a few sun salutations or poses that you enjoy. If you are new to yoga, you may consider the following routine in the morning.
Come onto your hands and knees (pad your knees if needed). On your inhale, lift your chest and tailbone, arch your back, exhale draw chin to chest, and curl the tailbone as you round your back. Continue in your own pace for about 5 rounds of breaths.
On your next inhale stretch your arms forward as you sink your hips down towards your heels into Childspose. Rest here for a moment, then inhale and walk your hands away from you so the elbows lift of the floor. Exhale here.
Inhale and walk both hands to the right as you gently shift your hips to the left. Stay for a few breaths and then walk your hands back to center, and on your next inhale over to the left as you shift your hips gently to the right. Breathe and enjoy the side-stretch. Come back to Childspose and rest until you feel ready to come back to tabletop.
From tabletop inhale and lift up on your knees and stretch your arms up to the sky. On the exhale find your way back to Childspose. Repeat as often as you like and then rest in Childspose for a few breaths to complete your practice.
- Aromatherapy
Start your spring mornings refreshed, awake and alert by placing 4 drops Peppermint essential oil, 4 drops Rosemary essential oil, and 3 drops Lemon essential oil in your aromatherapy oil burner or diffuser. Start it up when you rise in the morning and let the stimulating fragrances stimulate and energize you for the day.
- Morning Juice
A wonderful way to boost your digestive system or therefore your energy is to start your morning off with fresh juice.
This juice is filled with healthy vitamins, gently detoxes the liver, and offers anti-inflammatory benefits if you choose to add turmeric.
Recipe serves one person. Feel free to double the recipe if you like a little more juice or if you are making it for two.
Ingredients:
- 2 apples
- small piece of ginger
- 1 small lemon
- optional: add small piece of turmeric
Directions:
Juice all ingredients. Add some water and optional a pinch of cayenne pepper. Enjoy!
May you be filled with vibrant energy, health and happiness this spring!
Many blessings from my heart to yours,
Tanja
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Tanja Alexandra Kern
