Morning seems tailor-made for ritual and practice. For a few moments of hazy not-quite-consciousness, we exist in liminal space. It’s a threshold. We can stumble across it, harried, or we can acknowledge it as we step across with purpose into the day. Making that choice might mean rising a little earlier, giving ourselves time to be in transition, but it doesn’t have to. It might just be a shift in mindset during those first few moments that allows you to move through the morning with intention. 

It’s the same when we start our asana practice with a few moments to tune in, so that we’re more likely to move with intention, and the asana can have a purpose beyond the physical. These few moments of intention in the morning can similarly add purpose and meaning to your actions throughout the day.

morning ritual tips for summer

Earlier in the year, I shared some guidance for developing a sustainable morning ritual. Now that we’ve crossed the threshold of the Summer Solstice, here are some summer-specific ideas for grounding during this expansive, swirly season. I’ll use my own morning routine as a real-life example. 

Before turning to outside noise (ahem, your phone), connect inward first. This was included in our earlier guide, and it’s even more important in the summer, generally a very active and interactive season. When you first emerge from sleep, greet your body and your breath, however you choose to do that. For me this looks like:
Take a deep breath. As you exhale, gently massage the sleep from your eyes and face. Feet on the earth, another breath, and a quick massage and brush-off for your whole body before you stand up. Rinse your face and mouth with cool water. 

cultivate cool. Besides a solid teenage motto, this is also a good intention when considering your daily summer routines. Hydrate with room temperature water instead of hot, and if you normally add a lemon, opt for lime instead (according to Ayurveda, lime is more cooling, especially if it’s more sweet than it is sour). If you have a movement practice, keep it gentle. Do what you can to keep your space cool and dark in the morning. For me this looks like:
Light a candle in the kitchen. Cut a slice of lime and add it to a mug or cup that feels good in your hands and at your lips. Fill the cup with room temperature water and sit with it in the quietest space that is available. Keep the window shades or blinds partially closed. 

in case you missed it: intention-setting water ritual

Holding your cup in your hands, imagine pouring your intention into the water with your mind, as if intention would attach to each molecule. Then, as you sip the water, be present to this liquid imbued with intention as it’s in your mouth, as it flows down your throat toward your belly. Imagine the little water molecules hydrating the tissues of your body, while also settling intention into your actions, words, and thoughts for the day.

rise with the sun (ish). Depending on how far North your are, rising at dawn might be a big ask. Let’s just say, allow a gentle awakening for your senses, before the heat of the day. You might even practice “Ayurvedic sun-bathing,” taking a short walk just after sunrise to let the gentle morning rays grace your skin. If you’re staying indoors, try for dim, filtered light to accompany your morning. For me this looks like: 
Start with candlelight and a partially-opened window shade. After sipping water and a little gentle movement, take a short walk around the block or stand by the window with your face in the gentle morning light.

give yourself a moment of transition. Maybe intention-setting is all there’s time for in your morning, or maybe there’s a walk, an asana practice, coffee preparation or writing. Maybe the ritual ends because you’ve completed the process or maybe because a dog or a child or a doorbell calls you away. But before you move on to what’s next, give yourself an exhale - something to close this ritual and transition into the day. It might look like Savasana, or a resounding Om, it might literally be a full breath and exhale before you answer whatever is calling. Listen, you deserve that much, your practice deserves that much. Repeat after me: I have time to exhale. 

morning as practice

You can find more information, and my Spring morning ritual, in the earlier post. For now, I’m sharing my (current) morning rituals and routine below as an example. Most days it’s about an hour of intentional movement and stillness, punctuated by household chores and family care. All of it feels like ritual, from the mantra to the espresso to finding whatever lego my son is missing, because I do it with intention in mind, and holding awareness of connection to the greater Whole… 

Let’s also note for the record that there are days when the morning doesn’t go as planned at all - especially in the summer when the family’s weekly rhythm is less consistent. That’s when having one non-negotiable ritual is essential - for me, it’s sipping water and setting intention. Whether I have an hour or ten minutes, I can sit with myself for one clarifying, grounding moment. It’s a reminder that, no matter what kind of day is unfolding, I have time to exhale. 💓

My Morning Routine, Summer 2023

5:45am
- a deep breath; self massage and brush-off
- use the toilet; rinse my face with cool water, brush my teeth and tongue with cool water (toothpaste is a little much for my senses this early)
- dress for outside, spend a minute or two in the early morning light (sometimes with the dog, if she hasn’t been out yet)
- light a candle in the kitchen, cut a slice of lime for my mug
- water + intention ritual; gentle movement; recite mantra 3 times aloud
- exhale 💓
(usually my husband and son are awake by now, so I pause here to say good morning and check in)
~ 6:15am
- put away clean dishes; make coffee 
- sit where it’s quiet(ish) for 5-10 minutes with my notebook and pencil
- prepare a simple breakfast for myself and clean off the surface where I’ll eat
- sit down and take at least five minutes to focus on eating mindfully
~ 7 am, I’ll start nudging my son out of his own sleepy-liminal-space toward breakfast and we’ll both get ready for the day. If I’m traveling solo, I might go for a walk or practice asana before getting to practicalities. 

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Do you have a morning ritual or routine? I’d love to hear about it! If not, is there something else that helps you feel connected and grounded, no matter where you are? Drop a comment below, let’s learn from each other.