How we begin our day shapes how we meet the world, and starting with gratitude allows us to anchor our awareness in abundance rather than lack. In Season 2, Episode 8 of Sunrise Yoga, instructor Steph Schwartz guides you through a practice designed to shift your perspective and open your physical and emotional body.
This 30-minute morning hatha yoga flow is a level 2 hatha yoga class that blends physical alignment with mindful intention. By cultivating gratitude through yoga, we learn to welcome life's challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. The session begins with a traditional chant to Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance, setting a sacred tone for this gratitude yoga practice before transitioning into a dynamic backbending yoga sequence. Through a series of strong standing poses, deep hip openers, and heart opening backbends, you will build the strength and flexibility needed to work toward sugarcane pose (ardha chandra chapasana).
This practice is designed for intermediate practitioners who want to deepen their physical and spiritual alignment. Steph's clear, encouraging guidance helps you navigate the subtle shifts in energy that occur when we consciously open the chest and shoulders. By integrating breath with movement, you will create space in the thoracic spine, allowing for a deeper sense of emotional release and physical stability. Whether you are looking to start your morning with clear focus or seeking to bring more appreciation into your daily life, this sequence offers a balanced path to physical and mental renewal.
Bring your mat, find your breath, and begin your exploration with this sunrise yoga practice.
