Traditional yoga is usually practiced before the sun comes up, on an empty stomach and before your day begins. For most of us however, it’s pretty hard to get up before the sun comes up especially when it rises so early in Seaham in Summer.

Our sunrise yoga is 7am… at the moment (autumn as I write this post), we are getting the most magnificent sunrises during our yoga practice and it is simply breathtaking to feel part of a brand new day.

EDIT: I asked the regular 7am sunrise yogis why they practiced and they gave me a few of their own ideas which I’ve included in this updated version of this post. 

Here are some reasons why I feel a sunrise yoga practice is simply the best…

1. It sets you up for a brilliant day

Honestly there’s no feeling like it… that post-yoga high can stay with you all day. You will feel taller, lighter, more alert, focussed, calmer, more energetic and you will feel as though you are floating through the day.

2. You feel a sense of achievement

It’s said that making your bed as soon as you get up gives you a sense of achievement & accomplishment that then filters through your day.  Well, imagine how much of an achievement coming to a 7am yoga practice will feel. Starting the way you mean to go on and having a productive day.

3. Before you eat

Yoga is best practiced on an empty stomach. As we are working with creating heat throughout our bodies, including our digestive system it is most effective when empty, which is usually before our first meal of the day. However for those with blood sugar or other issues, something small like a banana or piece of fruit is ok.

4. Regulates your sleeping habits

Getting up for an early practice most likely means early to bed. We all know that practicing yoga regularly has a positive effect on our sleep and so does waking up and going to sleep at set times. When you practice regularly at 7am, you’ll start to wake quite naturally at the perfect time as you most likely find you’ll get better quality sleep and therefore ready to get up.

5. Gives insomniacs something to do

For those who just can’t sleep past a certain time, then this is something positive you can do. And it often helps to regulate insomniac patters (refer back to point above)

6. You get to witness the most beautiful part of the day

There is something so so special about this time… before the roads are busy, before there’s a hustle & bustle. You get to see the sun quite literally rise out of the sea, and the beautiful colours that go with it. You get to hear the morning song birds. And no matter what the weather is doing, there’s a feeling of calm, peace and tranquility.

7. Set your intentions for the day

For those who like to work with intention, manifesting or Sankalpa, a morning practice is the best time to set these for the day ahead.

8. Greet the day

Each new day is filled with new opportunities. What a perfect time to greet the day, the sun, the weather and all of these wonderful new exciting opportunities than a morning yoga practice.

9. The rest of the day is yours

You can enjoy the rest of the day knowing your yoga practice is done 🙂

10. Creates a desire for healthier food choices

Practicing yoga often gives us a natural desire to make healthier and more sensible food choices, so it’s natural that practicing on a morning means there’s a good chance you’ll want to eat more nutritious food throughout the day.

11. You can be smug for the rest of the day

Feeling smug is not usually associated with being a good yogi… however you are allowed to feel good about yourself for getting up for a sunrise yoga session.

12. Witness the difference in your body 

Practicing yoga first thing in the morning is a completely different experience to practicing later in the day.  You may feel a little stiffer, less energetic or a just a bit clunky.  But however you turn up on your mat feeling, you are guaranteed to feel looser and more energetic by the end. This carries through your day too.

13. You won’t regret it

You never regret the things you do as much as the things you don’t do.

14. Nothing can get in your way (except your snooze button)

For many of us, as the day goes on there are so many things that can get in the way of your practice… demands from family or work, we can get tired, it might be awful weather and you just want to go home to binge watch Netflix. None of this can get in the way when you practice first thing in the morning.

15. You can’t talk yourself out of it

Maybe you’re one of those people (like me) who talks themselves out of going to yoga or exercising in the evenings… every excuse under the sun comes into play and before you know it you’ve cancelled your place. Your mindset is so important to maintaining a regular practice, and for me I knew I needed to practice first thing before I quite literally talked myself out of going.  Practicing first thing in the morning means you don’t get the opportunity to talk your self out of coming to practice… the only thing that can get in the way at this time is your snooze button.  Again this is a mindset thing, and once you’re in the habit of getting up as soon as the alarm goes off the first time, you’ll be on your mat and half way through your practice before you even really know it.

16. Make your friends jealous with your own sunrise pics

Sometimes, when the sky is picture perfect, we may pause during the session, or maybe before or after to get a snap. Posting your pic on social media is guaranteed to get some reaction as people are genuinely impressed with your effort, not to mention the beauty of the scene. 

Genuine images from our studio… no filter required 🙂