Mornings are my sacred time for movement, self-care and meditation. My routine has evolved over the years and is based on Ayurveda guidelines.

My alarm goes off at 5 a.m. Upon rising I change into workout clothes, scrape my tongue and head outside to walk my dog. She is also a backup alarm that limits snoozing. I enjoy this time in the early sun and coolness of the morning.

The first thing I consume every morning is a green juice. My goal is to wait 30 minutes before I have turmeric lemonade (recipe below). I wait another 30 minutes before I drink my tea and soy milk latte. I have a smoothie at least 30 minutes later.

Mornings are when I work out for the day. I strive for 20 – 40 minutes of movement by doing yoga, Essentrics, Prana Shakti Dance (Dr. Deb Kern), weight or band exercises, a longer walk with the dog or a combination of things. I will drink water as needed, the exception to my wait 30 minutes between consuming liquid/food practice. After my movement, I meditate for 5-20 minutes. Just like my movement, I vary how I meditate. Sometimes I use a Wim Hoff video (YouTube) or use a timer while listening to a chant or reciting mantras or sitting in silence. Other times I will listen to a guided mediation. I don’t have rules on how I move or meditate, but tend to be led what seems best in the moment.

As I move into the rest of my morning to prepare to go to work, I listen to something that is calming and inspirational such as music, recorded affirmations, podcasts, meditations, chants, goddess stories or guided mediations.

For summer I use avocado oil on my body and a vitamin C infused sunscreen on my face and neck. I like to use this after bath practice to look at and speak kindly to my body as lightly oil all of my skin.

In the car on my drive to work, I listen to positive podcasts.

These practices a help me start my day grounded and connected. I find the ritual of this practice comforting and loving.

• Turmeric Lemonde:
• 1 – 1 ½ cup hot water
• 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric.
• 1/2 a lemon
• Honey or Maple Syrup (amount up to you)
• Ice
• Boil the water, pour into a cup and add honey or maple syrup. Let to let it cool for a couple of minutes.
• Add turmeric and squeeze in lemon, stir.
• For summer I prefer this warm rather than hot, so I put a few ice cubes in a glass and pour in the mixture.
• As turmeric can stain teeth, I drink with a metal straw.