Ruchika
Ruchika is a lifestyle coach and yoga teacher from India who helps people to choose a happier and healthier lifestyle.
This routine was anonymized on Jul 13, 2020 at the request of the author. While all identifying information has been removed, we hope that you can still find value in it.
What is your morning routine?
My usual day starts at 7-8:00am with a gratitude prayer to the universe while lying on bed. I then hit my yoga mat to practice sun salutes and a few rhythmical asanas.
Next I’ll drink a full glass of water with lemon to detoxify my system and get myself on schedule, ahead of doing my morning meditations in the shower to energises me with blissfulness. I then get ready for my day in yoga pants while grabbing some breakfast along the way; I like to keep breakfast small and healthy, but I make sure I never miss out on it.
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
I started getting into this routine after I completed my yoga teacher training course this May (2013) and subsequently retouched my spiritual practice after quitting my corporate job.
The thing about working on yourself is you feel incomplete if you don’t do it every day, so since this time it’s been approximately seven months of active living. There are days when you do feel lazy but I usually keep them going even if I get laid back.
How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
Honestly, I have always been a morning person, fond of walking in wet grass and listening to birds chirping up in the trees, though of late I’ve added mindfulness with prayers and gratitude to my mornings, expanding my spiritual horizon.
What time do you go to sleep?
Between 10-11:00pm, after a good read.
Do you use an alarm to wake you up in the morning, and if so do you ever hit the snooze button?
I do use an alarm but usually fix my mental alarm to wake me up before I even touch my phone (it’s always worked for me). I say a prayer and direct my mind to wake me up at a certain time as I sleep and my eyes get opened exactly at that time. I guess that’s the beauty of a routine.
How soon after waking up do you have breakfast, and what do you typically have?
I have breakfast after an hour or so. I like to keep it healthy and holistic. Preferably I have bread, oats, cornflakes, or a simple apple, but sometimes I just go for a cup of tea.
Do you have a morning workout routine?
I don’t work out, but I do do yoga. When I get on my mat it feels so refreshing. The more you do, the more you want it. At least thats what happens to me.
How about morning meditation?
I like to do my meditation in my bathroom. It feels very sacred to me, my meditation routine includes listening to a mantra and letting it soak into my cells, or just breathing with my eyes open.
Do you see to email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
I leave it for later. Getting into the spiritual field doesn’t really allow me to choose chaos first thing in the morning.
What are your most important tasks in the morning?
Breathing gratitude, lighting an incense, and affirming good thoughts.
What and when is your first drink in the morning?
I like to drink a full glass of cold water, or warm water with lemon, after 10-15 minutes of waking up.
On days you’re not settled in your home, are you able to adapt your routine to fit in with a different environment?
I keep my prayers, affirmations, drinks, and bathroom meditation in my bag even when I travel.
What do you do if you fail to follow your routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
It creates a lot of haphazard and scattered decisions and leads to laziness, but then I bounce back to my mat or meditate to re-fix myself.
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