There’s something truly magical about beginnings.
Whether it’s a new day, a new love, a new job, or a new home — every beginning carries a sense of freshness, hope, and possibility.
It wakes us up to life. It invites us to be present.
Beginnings are sacred moments — the spaces where potential meets intention.
Each morning is one of those sacred moments: a daily opportunity to realign, recharge, and begin again with awareness.
I deeply believe in this magic of the beginning.
That’s why I start every day with a short yoga flow, a cold shower, and a few minutes of meditation or conscious breathing.
This simple ritual gives me strength, clarity, and focus — setting the tone for everything that follows.
1. Yoga – awakening body and energy
My morning always begins on the mat. I adapt the flow to how I feel that day — sometimes dynamic and energising, sometimes slower and grounding. What matters most is not the intensity, but showing up.
Even on tired mornings, unrolling the mat is an act of commitment. Movement releases endorphins, activates circulation, and aligns breath and body — helping me start the day with steadiness and vitality.
If you’d like to experience it yourself, try this short guided morning yoga flow designed to awaken your body, balance your energy, and bring clarity to your mind.
2. Cold shower – activating the vagus nerve and inner strength
Next comes the cold shower — a practice that never feels easy, yet always feels rewarding.
The sudden cold awakens every cell, sharpens focus, and stimulates the vagus nerve — a key pathway that calms the body and regulates the nervous system.
Each morning, as the cold water runs over me, I take in the feeling of being strong. I can literally sense my body and mind waking up, ready for whatever the day may bring.
It’s a small but powerful moment of self-trust: I can do hard things — and stay calm while doing them.
3. Meditation or conscious breathing – creating inner alignment
After awakening the body, I take a few moments to tune inwards. Sitting quietly, I connect to my breath and intentions for the day.
This simple act brings clarity, grounding, and perspective — a reset for the mind before the external noise begins.
Even just a few conscious breaths can make a difference. It’s a moment to remember what truly matters.
4. Tuning your inner instrument – finding the right tone for the day
As a violin player, I’ve learned that every great performance begins with tuning.
The instrument may look perfect, but without the right resonance, the music won’t flow as it should.
For me, my morning ritual — yoga, cold shower, and meditation or breathing — is how I tune my instrument before the day’s performance.
When I take the time to align body, mind, and heart, everything feels in tune. I move through the day with a clearer tone, a steadier rhythm, and a sense of inner harmony.
These rituals are not about perfection; they’re about resonance — creating the right vibration for the day ahead.
5. Starting small – building your morning ritual
You don’t need to begin with a full yoga practice or a cold shower.
What matters most is the intention behind the action — taking one conscious moment for yourself before the day begins.
You might simply:
Sit for one mindful breath before checking your phone.
- Take one minute to stretch or roll your shoulders when you get up.
- Notice the feeling of water on your skin as you wash your face.
- Pause for three conscious breaths, feeling the air moving in and out.
- Whisper a gentle intention: “May I move through this day with calm and clarity.”
Choose just one small act and repeat it each morning for a week.
Each repetition is a way of tuning your instrument — bringing yourself into alignment with the day ahead.
6. Consistency over intensity – the real secret to progress
Over the years, I’ve learned that what matters most isn’t how long or hard you practise, but how consistently you show up.
Each repetition strengthens the neural pathways that support calm, focus, and balance.
Consistency helps your brain rewire for steadiness and resilience.
Even five mindful minutes can shift your entire day — if you do it regularly.
7. Stepping into tomorrow – carrying your morning calm into the day
Before the world needs you, give yourself that moment.
Move. Breathe. Feel the water. Sit in stillness.
Tune your instrument — and let your day unfold with strength, freshness, and harmony.
If you’d like some guidance and support in building consistent morning habits, join our Brussels Mindfulness Community.
We offer morning meditations and monthly live practices to help you stay committed, grounded, and inspired — so you can begin every day strong.
