Perfect mornings should have a relaxing and nurturing component. It's hard on the body to wake up and rush off to life's many demands and not give it daily TLC. An unusual way of doing this is standing meditation.

Standing still in a relaxed pose and breathing deeply is great for:

Increasing your energy
It can reduce low back pain
Improve posture
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improves core strength and tone
Improves balance
Increases bone density
Improves sleep quality,
Helps with body alignment
Tones the pelvic floor
Improves the mind-body connection

There are many different ways of doing this. My favorite is called horse stance. Now, if you really want a detailed description you can find many online like here and here. It's always best to have someone show you that way you know where you might not be doing it correctly. Ultimately, I think with practice most people get it right one way or the other. Here is a quick description.

1. Place feet about shoulder's width apart, toes pointed straight. Make sure your feet are making good solid contact with the floor.

2. Gently bend your knees as if you are about to sit down on a stool behind you.

3. Tuck your pelvis forward using your abdominal muscles. Aim the tail bone down to lengthen the low back and spine.

4. Stand straight, shoulders down not back. Don't over-elevate the chest.

5. Bring your palms together in prayer hand position in front of your chest. Be sure to keep the shoulders down. Note: there are many variations on arm position feel free to pick one that you like better.

6. Let the head rest naturally on the neck as if suspended from a string in the ceiling. Tuck the chin down just slightly.

7. Put the tongue to the roof of the mouth. Breath as deeply as you can. Hold it for a few seconds then exhale very slowly. Repeat and hold this posture.

8. Do a mental rolodex of all previous steps because at first your body will not stay in that position. And you will know your doing it right when you have been holding it and you get a case of the shakes. Keep holding the posture.

Work your way up to 10 minutes a day or however long you have. The cool thing about horse stance is that you can do it anywhere at anytime and no equipment is needed.

Standing Meditation