"This sequence of poses is named after saluting the sun, or giving thanks for a new day, making it perfect for first thing in the morning," Davidson says. "It also builds some heat. If you don't have time for much else, a few rounds can give you a quick energy boost, while starting your day with gratitude can replace negative thought patterns with powerful, positive alternatives."
- Starting in Mountain Pose, inhale your arms up above your head. As you exhale, hinge at your hips into a Forward Fold (Uttanasa). Don't worry if you need to bend your knees. You can also bring your hands to a block or stack of books to bring the ground closer to you.
- Inhale for a Halfway Lift (Ardha Uttanasa), reaching your head up while keeping your spine straight and keeping your hands on the floor, or a prop. Exhale back down into a Forward Fold.
- Inhale your feet back into Plank Pose (Phalakasana), and exhale down through Low Plank (Chaturanga Dandasana), or all the way to the ground. You can also drop your knees, then chest, then chin, if that's more accessible.
- Inhale into Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), placing your hands right under your shoulders and pressing your front body up.
- Exhale back into Downward-Facing Dog. Hold for three breaths.
- Walk or float your feet to meet your hands at the front of your mat. Inhale up for halfway lift, and exhale down into Forward Fold.
- Inhale, reaching your arms and standing up. Exhale arms down into Mountain Pose.
- Continue this sequence for one minute.
- Check out this visual guide to an entire Sun Salutation sequence for more explanation.