A Yogi’s Breakfast: Start Your Day with Vitality
Breakfast has been known to be one of the most important meals of the day. It is also a time of setting a healthy intention for the day ahead. If you start the day with a nutritious breakfast, you give yourself a good chance to picking healthier food choices for the rest of the day.
During the nights sleep the body goes through a healing and rejuvenating process. Any wear and tear that occurred during the day now has a chance to repair itself in the night. On rising the body begins the eliminatory process of the digestive system and hydration is the first step in a yogi’s breakfast.
Water
A warm lemon drink first thing in the morning to kick start the digestion and flush out the toxins from the night. Hydrating first thing in the morning, gives you an energising start to the day.
Fresh Juice
A fresh fruit and vegetable juice will give you a nutritional boost plus the water content allows easier absorption. Try apple, orange, celery and cucumber or carrot, apple, beet root, celery and a piece of ginger. Any of your favourite combinations work, just be conscious not to add too much fruit. High water content vegetables like celery and cucumber are a great way to water the sugar content down but still giving you taste and nutrition.
Green Smoothie
A high protein smoothie, preferably with added greens for a chlorophyll boost plus a piece of wholegrain toast and nut butter is a satisfying start to the day. Try ripe banana, a handful of berries, kale leaves, hemp or sprouted rice protein powder and maca powder. Just add water and blend until silky smooth.
Tea
Green tea and chai are nice accompanying hot drinks on a cool day. Enjoy the occasional organic coffee with friends but don’t overdo this little luxury- your adrenals will thank you for it!
Vegetarian breakfast
The traditional yogi diet is vegetarian due to the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence). Although not everyone has chosen this path, a good way to include some of these principles is by keeping breakfast a vegetarian option. It’s easy, healthy, economical and environmentally friendly.
Muesli Mix
Try mixing different proportions of rolled oats or quinoa, amaranth, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, sultanas, goji berries and cinnamon. Chop a banana and top with raw honey and your choice of milk and you have an energy filled start to the day.
Yoghurt and Berries
Biodynamic and organic yoghurt is a lighter breakfast option. Sprinkle with a high protein mix such as quinoa, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds and goji berries. Top with mixed berries or your choice of fruit.
Toast with Avocado
Not all bread is created equal but two slices of essene (sprouted grain bread) or sourdough rye is a wholesome savoury option. Spread half an avocado and add thin slices of tomato, fresh basil and some cracked pepper.
Eggs (for our non-vegan friends)
Poach, boil or fry or scramble with a little coconut oil two eggs for a high protein fix. Eat with baby spinach, tomato and mushrooms on the side. This is ideal for the weekend and those days where you need more on your plate. Coconut oil is ideal because its structure stays stable at high temperatures.
About the Author
5 Kundalini Morning Rituals That Will Change Your Life
I found myself asking again and again, what is this and how have I not known about these practices before?
Although my Vinyasa practice continues to be steady, for the past year, I have changed up my morning routine to include several new Kundalini morning rituals. These rituals don’t just make me feel great, but I am not exaggerating when I say that they have really changed my life. The bouts of depression and anxiety I used to experience, especially postpartum, have disappeared. Not only do I feel brighter and more radiant, but my mind is clearer. I’m more even-tempered. I see more. And I’m experiencing more success than ever.
Here are the five most powerful Kundalini morning rituals I do regularly, daily if possible. Although you’ll feel results immediately, it takes thirty to forty days of consistent practice to really start changing your life. And, believe me, it will change your life.
- Cold Showers: Although it was one of the hardest rituals to get used to, cold showers are now part of my daily routine. I start with dry brushing and then coat my body in coconut oil. Then I get under the cold water, allowing it to hit my face and chest. I’ve found that you can massage your body, from the soles of your feet to your shoulders and neck, to help keep you warm (and to give you something to do). Even just thirty seconds under the cold water will change everything. And, according to Guru Jagat, cold showers are one of the best practices for glandular health, anti-aging, increased energy, and mental alertness. They will also improve the condition of your skin – you really do “glow” afterward!
- Subagh Kriya: This powerful sequence takes about twenty minutes from start to finish. It is said to be an incredibly effective way to bring more abundance and prosperity to your life. The whole sequence is done seated and involves various hand movements and chanting. You can find videos of this sequence to follow along with online at first, but after a few times doing it, you’ll learn how to do it yourself. The impact this has had on my professional life is astounding. I never start my day without doing this practice.
- Breath of Fire: This is one of the most powerful practices I do. Designed to reset your glands and hormones, this pranayama technique brings your entire body back into balance. Although it is sometimes taught with only an emphasis on the exhale, in Kundalini, the emphasis is equal on both the inhalation and exhalation. It is a powerful, rapid breath through the nose, but it is sustainable. Most Kundalini teachers recommend you practice breath of fire for at least seven minutes to reap the most benefits.
- Sat Kriya: One of the most essential practices in the Kundalini technology system, Sat Kriya is a simple breath meditation that helps to energize your body and increase your radiance. To practice it, sit on your heels, bringing your arms overhead. Interlace your fingers and release the index finger, squeezing the palms together. As you pull your navel in powerfully, you mentally chant “Sat.” As you exhale and release the belly, you repeat, “Nam.” Just three minutes of this kriya can elevate your awareness and energy. I do this practice in the morning, but also throughout the day when I feel like I need a boost. If I need more after the first three minutes, I’ll keep adding more three-minute rounds until I feel ready to take on whatever is next in my day.
- Frog Pose: This simple exercise is a lot harder than it looks, which is why I love to do it in the morning – it makes me sweat! To begin, you start in a squat position with the knees wide and the heels up. As you exhale, you come to stand, looking towards your thighs. As you inhale, you look forward and return to the frog squat. You can go as fast or as slow as you like. I’ll do at least 26 of these each morning, although many times I’ll go for three or more minutes. Although your legs might shake, keep going! The energy that will flood your body when you’re done is amazing. And I’ve found it’s a great way to shift my mood quickly, too.
While much of Kundalini yoga will feel strange at first, especially if you are used to different styles of yoga, I’ve learned to love it. Not only are the results of Kundalini morning rituals astounding, but almost everything is accessible, which means I don’t have to “feel” like doing yoga to do it. And, because the practices are fast, there’s no excuse to add them to your morning routine!
