Pre-baby, there was nothing better than a good early-morning workout topped off with a big cup of coffee on the way home With a newborn, though, sleep is at a premium most mornings, so I focus on proper fueling to help get my day going and keep me from crashing mid-morning

Mornings are my time to workout.

My alarm clock goes off most mornings before 6am and I am definitely a morning person.

Every day has a different workout.

Mondays are when I get in my long runs (9-12 miles), Tuesdays I attend a spin class, Wednesday, Barry’s Bootcamp, Thursday and Friday ToneHouse, Saturday another run, and Sunday Hot power yoga (“off day”).

I like to dive right into practice first thing in the morning, but it doesn’t always look the same.

Some days I’ll read a bit of yogic text (I’ve been working through Eknath Easwaran’s Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living for quite some time) before I sit to meditate.

Some days I throw down the mat right away and start moving my body around before I sit.

That first portion of my day usually lasts about an hour, then I take my dogs for a long walk. Getting outside makes me feel so alive, so connected to the world around me.

I like to do all of that before I check email, social media, etc., so that I can stay connected to what’s real.

My favorite way to start the day is working out with November Project, a free fitness movement that started in Boston.

I start my day studying yoga philosophy.

It helps me because it sets the tone for the rest of the day.

I have a higher ideal in mind as I relate to the world and make sure that I’m acting from the right place.

During my high training weeks, I usually wake up at 5AM excited to get in my first training session of the day before work.

It will usually be an hour outdoor ride, run, core or yoga routine.

Setting major goals and how I plan to reach those goals is what helps motivate me weekly and daily to work on those goals.

Wake up. Stretch.

Short 5-10 minute meditation, usually with my English bulldog Rosy snoring on my lap.

Make a huge tea (loving green tea kombucha right now).

Wait at least 30 minutes before I check emails or social media. I keep my phone out of my bedroom at night for this reason.

I’ve been doing this for about six months.

I love starting my day with intention and possibility rather than relying on habits to get me through my day.

My morning usually looks like this:

• Wake up, grab a large glass of water (if I’m lucky I make warm lemon water), drink it.

• Make myself an espresso. Sip my expresso while scrolling through social media sites.

• Oil pull with coconut oil for 10 minutes.

• Brush my teeth.

•Conquer the world.

A cup of hot coffee is what initially drives me to get out of bed. The smell, the taste and the warmth provide so much comfort.

Once I’m fully alert, I make a green smoothie full of spinach, chia seeds and other healthy goodness, and then I crack open my journal to either write my thoughts and feelings or simply jot down a few things I am grateful for.

While I’m not a morning person per se, I do savor an hour or so of quiet solitude before the busyness ensues.

Here are a few tips that help me exercise before work:

•The night before a run, I mentally decide that the run will happen– that I have no other choice. If I fall asleep to this thought, I will usually wake up with the same exact thought.

•I place my alarm clock away across the room so it is harder to snooze!

My favorite way to jump start the day is to take a few minutes before I roll out of bed and silently acknowledge the blessings in my life and express gratitude for my amazing life.

After that, I have a 5-10 minute snuggle session with my dogs Sebastian and Yoshi (2 lovable Shih Tzus).

First thing in the morning I have warm lemon water with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.

Next I have a cup of coffee with fresh homemade almond milk and a dash of cinnamon.

For breakfast I have Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free hot cereal and add dates and the rest of the fresh almond milk.

I’ve been doing this for quite a while and it really gets my day started right…

I get up and I move RIGHT AWAY. Before coffee, before breakfast.

I have a dog so that helps motivate me to get out of bed. We get out into nature, run through the grass and the mud barefoot.

Give thanks for the gift of another day, play.

Then take a sit, listen. 5 minutes, 20 minutes, 1 hour.

Whatever I can offer to this practice is good and useful.

Some days I have more time than others, but the practice of playing and listening right away in the morning sets my feet on a clear path for the entire day.

Nearly every morning for breakfast, I make a pumpkin mugcake. The recipe offers endless variation, and somehow I’m not tired of them yet! After my mugcake and some coffee I am ready to interact with the world.

Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup organic oats
• 1 tbsp coconut flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 2-3 tbsp. canned organic pumpkin
• 8 tbsp. egg whites
• For topping: peanut butter, chocolate chips
• Optional: yogurt or milk, cinnamon, matcha powder, cocoa powder, almond slivers, etc.

Grab your blender or food processor…

I simply wake up 30 minutes before I need to start preparing for my day.

I sit on my couch or on my patio outside and have a cup of coffee.

I name 3 things that I’m looking forward to and set one goal for the day.

We’ve all seen beautiful articles and videos depicting morning rituals that involve hopping on a yoga mat, meditating with crystals, making fresh green juice, and drawing a goddess or tarot card to inspire your oncoming day. Don’t get me wrong,­ that sounds dreamier than I care to admit, but it sure isn’t my life. 🙂

My mornings are spent doing what I love most: teaching yoga and nurturing other people.

I’m not a one-size-fits-all kind of gal and I apply this philosophy to my daily regimen as well.

Depending on the season, where I am in the world, what projects are in front of me, and where I am emotionally and mentally – I diversify my rituals to ensure I’m creating a space where I can be present and flexible.

That said, I have many go-to rituals that help me stay connected to my body and my intentions for the day.