The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines bioenergetics as “a system of physical and psychological therapy that is held to increase well-being by releasing blocked physical and psychic energy
The five exercises described below will get you started on the journey to developing sustainable energy to power you through your day.
Beep...beep...beep!
The sweet darkness that cradled you through the night dissipates as you’re startled awake. You reach over to the bedside table and turn off your alarm. “Go back to sleep,” your mind says. “It’s too early to be up. Work. Kids. Responsibility - it can all wait.”
You shut your eyes and seriously consider this option. But your mind and fierce willpower fight back. “No - I committed myself, and I’m going to stick to it.”
The walk to the bathroom and then the kitchen feels like the miles to walk to Everest base camp. You stumble through your morning routine until you reach your coffee ritual. The shot of caffeine gives you a fine buzz and even the energy to make it through the first part of your day. But suddenly you crash before noon and reach for another coffee to compensate. This time the energy boost isn’t as significant, and you’re left wondering, “How can I create energy that will sustain me throughout the day?”
You could throw some super greens like spinach and kale into your morning smoothie. This green elixir will undoubtedly help. A few morning stretches may also do the trick. But what you really need is a routine explicitly designed to awaken your energy body.
Bioenergetic exercises create just this purpose. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines bioenergetics as “a system of physical and psychological therapy that is held to increase well-being by releasing blocked physical and psychic energy.”
The five exercises described below, and taught in the short 7-minute video attached to this post, will get you started on the journey to developing sustainable energy to power you through your day.
1. Horse Stance with Breathing Arms
All of the exercises in this routine are done in Horse Stance. My Dad first taught me this pose at the age of ten when I expressed to him my desire for abs. While it’s six-pack capabilities are debatable, it will charge up and ground your lower body.
Begin with your legs wide and feet pointed out to the sides. Bend your knees until you can feel a bit of heat, while you lengthen your tailbone down to the ground. Draw your hands up in front of your chest. As you inhale your arms expand with your rib cage. When you exhale, your arms draw back in. Allow your legs to move organically up and down with the breath.
Perform for 1-2 minutes focusing on your inhale and exhale.
2.Earth and Sky Energy
Take your arms beside you with palms facing down. Inhale to draw your arms up halfway and then flip your palms to face up as you reach above. Exhale to allow your hands to move down through your centre.
When the palms face down visualise the elements of the natural world that energise you. As your palms flip upwards visualise the moon, sun, and universe that connect you to a higher source. On your exhale down through centre ingest all of these powerful forces into you.
Perform for 1-2 minutes.
3. Circle Arms
Inhale draw your right arm below and your left arm above in a circular motion. Exhale to alternate your arms.
Imagine your arms flowing effortlessly around you like a wheel of water.
Perform for 1-2 minutes.
4. Spinal Awakening
Draw your arms up to a cactus position. Inhale twist your torso to the right. Exhale twist to the left. After 1-minute switch - inhale to the left and exhale to the right.
Envision white light travelling from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. And then cycling back down to repeat the process.
Perform for 1-2 minutes.
5. Fill Up and Release
Begin with your fingers at heart centre. Inhale reach your arms wide beside you as you puff your heart up to the sky. Exhale as you press your arms powerfully in front as you round in your upper back. Inhale draw your arms back to touch your heart and repeat the process.
The previous exercises are meant to stir up your energetic body. This exercise allows you to integrate everything. When you spread your heart wide visualise all of the positive energy, you want to bring into your life: joy, peace, contentment, love. And when you press your arms out release what no longer serves you and is bringing you down in life.
Perform for 1 minute.
After you’ve finished this bioenergetic routine give yourself at least a minute to rest and take in your experience. Experiment with these exercises to see how your energy levels change. Maybe you don’t have time to do the full routine. That’s okay choose one or two and see how they can shift your mood and power up your day.
This article and video were prodiced for Warrior Addict by our awesome Brand Warrior Michael toru. For more information about Michael Toru, click here.