A few weeks ago, I reached out to Susy Markoe Schieffelin, a certified yoga instructor and the CEO of The Copper Vessel, looking for the ideal vacation yoga flow — a restful and rejuvenating practice for a mid-April trip I had in the works.
Although those plans were indefinitely postponed, I figured her Kundalini yoga routine would be more useful now than ever.
Kundalini yoga focuses on shifting energy through the body's chakras to promote a calm, balanced, and happy well-being. Thanks to Schieffelin's practice, I can mentally activate a vacation state-of-mind while at home — and you can, too.
The best way to get into your flow is to release tension from your spine, Schieffelin explains. Her simple routine is designed to release any tension in your lower back that may have built up from sitting or standing for long periods.
Detoxify stagnant energy in the body and mind by loosening the waist and torso. Schieffelin says this opens the mid-spine while massaging internal organs.
Schieffelin says that Cat-Cow pose releases any remaining stuck energy, while balancing your adrenals and kidneys, by opening the spine from top to bottom.
By stretching your entire body using the Downward-Facing Dog pose, your body will shift into a balanced state where positive energy can flow, Schieffelin says.
According to Schieffelin, Cobra pose is very grounding, activating, and detoxifying, and it helps balance the lower chakras.
Child's pose is the perfect grounding and rejuvenating cooldown. Schieffelin urges everyone to allow grateful thoughts to flow into your mind while setting a positive intention for your day.