My Morning Routine: Emily Sferra
6:30 a.m. I wake up around 6:30 a.m. most days. Recently, I’ve tried not to have my cell phone or electronics in my bedroom, so I use this amazing “wake-up light" alarm clock that simulates the sunrise and gradually emits light into the bedroom. It’s been a GAME CHANGER for me, especially in the winter months, and it’s just a much gentler way to enter each day. I like to hang in bed for a few minutes, where to my right, my favorite human is located (my husband!). I can’t leave the bed without a quick cuddle, hug, peck, or smile, but I also don’t like to lay around for too long — early morning is my favorite time of day!
6:45 a.m. Prep coffee. I’m sort of religious about coffee; I have it every single day, but just one cup first thing in the morning, black. I started using the AeroPress years ago back when I was teaching super early morning classes and looking for a quiet and quick way to brew a cup before heading out, and though I’ve tried lots of other methods, Aeropress has my heart. If you haven’t tried it, I’m gonna need you to — it’s brilliant, you’re welcome.
6:45 a.m. Coffee + back deck + stare at the garden. These next 15 minutes are pure delight for me; I just recently moved to San Diego (coming from a 500 square-foot apartment in Brooklyn), so having a backyard, with a deck, AND a garden…it’s bliss! We sit, sip, talk about the veggies and cacti like they're our children, and just start the day slow and simple. It’s the best (we may also be 80-year-olds stuck in the bodies of 30-somethings, but hey, I’m here for it).
7:15 a.m. Grab a big glass of water and sit down to make a game plan for the day. With the recent changes to our daily routines and the increased time at home, I’ve found it crucial to create structure for my day and weeks; plus, your girl LOVES a good list/scheduling moment. I'll make a loose schedule for the day or sometimes just a list of things I want to accomplish (yes, taking a shower does qualify as a “listable” item these days, if you were wondering), then I cruise through emails and read the news. It’s been important for me, personally, to place some boundaries around the amount of news and media I take in each day while still trying to remain informed, so I’ve found it works well to allot myself a solid chunk in the morning, each morning, and call it at that.
8:00 a.m. I roll out my mat for a workout and my husband heads off to his 30-second commute from the back deck to the second bedroom, which we now both refer to as “the office.” I generally try to work out a minimum of four times a week, and with the recent stay-at-home vibes, I’ve noticed such a difference in mindset and mood when I start the day with movement, so I’ve definitely been incorporating workouts more often. I usually just do whatever I’m in the mood for, oscillating from my own workouts and favorite exercises to jumping on Alo Moves and taking classes from other instructors, or just going through simple circuits outdoors in the yard. I love to switch it up daily, to break a sweat, and to get a good dose of abs in.
9:00 a.m. Jump in the shower, and then run through my skincare routine. I’m in my final year of a doctorate program studying acupuncture and herbology, and I’ve learned some incredible techniques for skincare and facial rejuvenation along the way. In particular, facial gua sha is an amazing and gentle technique that is great for increasing blood flow and circulation, draining lymphatic tissue, and brightening up the skin; I do it three to four times a week. If you’ve never heard of facial gua sha, or if you’re looking to learn more about it, check out WILDLING Beauty; they have quality products and heaps of tutorial videos via Instagram. Other products I’m loving on right now for skincare include: Youth to the People face wash, Herbivore’s Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist and True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil.
9:30 a.m. Breakfast. I like to wait until after my workout and shower to eat; I typically perform better when working out on an empty stomach, and I find in general I seem to have more energy and feel more in tune with hunger vs. boredom levels when I start the day this way. Depending on what I’m up to for the day, my first meal could be a Perfect bar (the name sounds too good to be true, but actually, I do find them literally perfect!) or a protein smoothie with a blend of fat, fiber, protein, and greens, or an egg with toast and avocado.
10:00 a.m. I spend the next few hours focused on school work; studying for tests, catching up on readings, writing papers, etc. We are constantly being tested (which is a good thing!), so I try to review the topics we’re covering regularly and read up as much as I can on them. It’s been such a gift to be a student again as an adult; I appreciate the power of knowledge so much more, and it’s been incredible to learn so much about the body, mind, and spirit from both Western and Eastern perspectives.
12:00 p.m. Lunch break! Most of my classes are in the afternoon and go late into the evenings, so I try to take a dedicated break of 15-30 minutes for lunch in order to leave the screen or page and just let my mind chill for a few. Outdoors if possible, cause SoCal baby!
This article is part of our monthly blog series, My Morning Routine. Stay tuned each month as we highlight the morning routines of your favorite yoga teachers on Alo Moves!
Want to sweat with Emily? Check out her Barre Strong series on Alo Moves! Get started with a 14-day free trial here.