Sighhhhh….. your eyes just opened, you are surrounded by warmth and comfort, and a new day has began. Now tell me, what do you do first (aside from that first pee of the day)?

What are your first thoughts as the morning unfolds? What actions do you take? What feelings do you feel?

Well, since this is a blog post and I’m talking at you, let me answer these questions and share what my morning usually brings.

Big sighhhh, I am awake, and immediately my mind begins to race. I am flooded with business to-dos, the household chores, and helping my husband out the door. It’s like a wave of peacefulness starts my day, but is quickly followed by a tsunami of anxiety.

But does it have to be this way? Do I need to start my morning with a dose of anxiety? And am I inhibiting this behavior/experience by simply doing the same old thing?

Well the answer is no and yes.

No, it doesn’t need to be this way and no my morning doesn’t have to include any form of anxiety. Period. None. Zero. Get the f*ck out of my way anxiety. And yes, I am guilty for allowing it all to happen, think a brightly lit phone screen starting my day, a cup of coffee before I properly hydrate, and a date with my computer versus a date with my body.

Psssst… looking for more morning yoga? Click here!

Now here’s where I want to steer this conversation differently, because what I would normally recommend, isn’t cutting it anymore (for me anyway). Typically this is where I would list out morning practices to start your day, like meditation, journaling, drinking warm lemon water, and so on. But I’m at the point where knowing isn’t enough, because here I am, starting my day with a cereal bowl of anxiety.

Related: Start your day powerfully with a 20 minute morning yoga stretch!

So, let’s switch this shit up.

I want both of us to begin our day with this affirmation – I AM WORTHY.

Say it with me and say it with conviction.

I AM WORTHY

I AM WORTHY

I AM WORTHY

Now pause and notice where that affirmation sits within your body. Where do you feel the charge? And how does it make you feel?

Over here on this side of the screen, I feel it in my heart space (anahata chakra) and it gives me the motivation to do the right thing. To step out of my bed, plant my feet on the ground, and begin my morning with a positive practice like today’s yoga class – a morning yoga practice to cultivate confidence and worthiness on the mat.

And listen, not every morning needs to begin with a yoga practice, but it does need to start with a moment of clarity, awareness, and then action. Here’s what these three look like in my life when broken down…..

1. Clarity – a cup of warm lemon water in bed + stream of consciousness journaling (aka just write whatever comes up)
2. Awareness – what does my day entail, what do I need to achieve, and how will I remain calm, cool, and collected as it all unfolds (this is where I get tripped up)
3. Action – do what moves me, a morning yoga practice, a morning meditation, starting a creative project , or stocking up on weekly groceries

And the best part is, this daily practice can change. You have permission to shape and mold it each and every day to what you need, isn’t that refreshing? There’s no you must do this or you must do that, it’s simply working from a space of WORTHINESS and having the CONFIDENCE to do what’s best.

Now in today’s yoga practice (if you choose to do it), we move through a short sequence that will calm your mind, nourish your spine, awaken your core, say hello to your hips, and end with a gentle forward fold and heart opener. You can expect poses like:

• cat + cow
• sunbird with core work
• gomukasana
• pigeon pose
• janu sirsasana
• baby wild thing (my favvvv)

As you move through the yoga class, I invite you to repeat the mantra above – I AM WORTHY – and don’t worry, I’ll keep reminding you too!

And if you dig this short morning routine, you are in luck, because there’s now an entire collection of them (woooo)! You can find each morning routine below, try it on for a week of confidence building and worthiness affirming, and decide if this type of morning practice is for you.

• Morning Yoga Video: Restorative Practice to Reconnect
• Morning Yoga: Practice Gratitude for Your Day Ahead
• Morning Yoga Practice: Get Inspired for Your Day Ahead
• Morning Yoga Video: Energize & Awaken Your Body