The Playlist I Use For Daily Stretching & Yoga

Do I really stretch with my cat? Absolutely. She a very curious gal and loves to watch me each morning when I’m flopping around the floor stretching out. Sometimes she even joins in. It sorta feels like a group workout class some days – ha! 

Today’s Happiness Challenge is all about stretching your body, with the help of your feline friend if you got one. Working from home means you’re probably spending a LOT of time hunched over a computer on your couch, which you probably know isn’t’ great for you. But did you know that stress & trauma can easily get trapped in the body?

Have you ever had a stressful day and your body just felt heavier or slower? Or long days when you can just feel the tension get tighter and tighter in your shoulders? 2020 is basically just one long stressful event and I sure feel extra layers of tension being built up within. Starting a daily morning stretching routine has been a huge help for my mind AND body to channel happy vibes for the rest of the day. 

Happiness Challenge Day 2 

This morning I want you to block off 30 minutes in your work cal so nobody bothers you. Log off Slack, turn the notifications off on your phone. If you live with people, ask them to give you 30 minutes without interruptions. 

If you have a spare bedroom or office, use that room. We live in a studio, so I’ll either use our main living space if Robin is already awake but if he’s still sleeping, I’ll actually use our bathroom. I can shut the door, turn the lights off and the coolness of the room is a nice way to wake up. And yes, Twyla gets to come in and join (otherwise she’ll paw at the door for the whole time!)

I always light a candle or a smudge stick before I start. I find that scents are a powerful way to snap my brain into gear. And lastly, I love this Tibetan Bowls playlist I found on Spotify. The sounds help me focus on my breath and my body. 

I keep saying “stretch” since I’ve never really actually taken any yoga classes before, other than a few random ones here and there. My impression of yoga is it’s just fancy stretching and if you have tons of official positions you know of, go for it. But, I’m totally fine with listening to what areas of my body are in pain and guiding myself into positions that feel good. 

My goal is after your 20-30 minutes that you feel calm and lighter. For your body to be less tense and your mind just, happier and more focused. And, your kitty will feel like the special queen she is since you spent extra time with her. It’s a win-win.