One may conquer a hundred men in battle, but one who conquers himself is, the greatest of conquerors.  Dhammapada

a.m. KICKOFF

A.M. Kickoff is about performing a quick ritual in the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, to have an energetic and productive day. Starting the day with a simple morning ritual can awaken your mind, energize your body, and set a positive tone for the hours ahead. Every morning offers an opportunity to renew yourself. Just as a snake sheds its skin, we too must let go of the past, release old thoughts, and embrace a fresh start each day. Waking up early enough to transition gradually from sleep to full alertness is essential. However, the most important factor in feeling refreshed is getting enough sleep, typically 7 to 9 hours for most adults. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is equally important. Without proper rest, no shortcut can make waking up feel truly good. A regular routine helps train your internal clock, also known as your circadian rhythm, allowing your body to wake up more naturally and with less effort. The circadian rhythm is your body’s biological clock, responsible for regulating sleep, hormone release, body temperature, and digestion. Your brain responds to environmental signals such as light and darkness to keep your body aligned with the natural cycle of the sun.

WHAT IS A.M. KICKOFF

  • Start by listening to the audio session, then watch the short video(s).

  • In the morning, avoid using your phone until you’ve completed this ritual.

  • Open the curtains right away. Natural light signals your brain that it’s time to wake up.

  • Drink a glass of water to rehydrate and help increase alertness.

  • Wash your face with cold water.

  • Open the windows to let in fresh air.

  • Breathe slowly and calmly as you settle into the new day. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.

  • Next, follow the audio guidance to gently shake your body and wake yourself up.

  • You will be using isometric exercises to activate and engage your muscles, followed by bodyweight air squats to stretch and warm up your hips and legs. You will also jog in place to boost your energy.

  • Finally, you will shift into a powerful mental state to set the tone for your day.

WARNING: The content on this page is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional or medical advice.

PREPARATION

a.m. Kickoff

GUIDED SESSION

Use headphones for optimal sound

Using Wake-Up Tasks for Morning Behavior Change: Development and Usability Study. Kyue Taek, et al. JMIR Form Res. Vol 6, No 9. 21.Sep. 2022.

Waking up is the hardest thing I do all day: Sleep inertia and sleep drunkenness. Lynn M. Trotti. Sleep Medicine Reviews. V. 35, October 2017, Pages 76-84.

Morning Work: Effects of Early Rising on Sleep and Alertness. Göran Kecklund, et al. SLEEP. V. 20, Issue 3, March 1997, Pages 215–223.

Waking up on the wrong side of the bed: Depression severity moderates daily associations between sleep duration and morning affect. D. L. Wescott, et al. Journal of Sleep Research. 25 August 2023.

Does late morning waking-up affect sleep during the following night in patients with primary insomnia? Atsushi Ogawa et al. Biological Rhythm Research V. 44, 2013 - Issue 6.

The cortisol awakening response in relation to objective and subjective measures of waking in the morning. Samantha Dockray, et al. Psychoneuroendocrinology. V. 33, Issue 1. January 2008.

Circadian rhythm disruption and mental health.  William H. Walker II, et al. Translational Psychiatry. V10, Article: 28 (2020).

Circadian rhythm as a therapeutic target. Wei Ruan, et al. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery v. 20, p. 287–307 (2021). 

The Use of Isometric Tests of Muscular Function in Athletic Assessment. Greg J. Wilson, et al. Int J Prev Med. V. 22. 23 Oct 2012.

Exploring the Therapeutic Benefits of Pranayama (Yogic Breathing). A Systematic Review. Jayawardena, Ranil, et al. International Journal of Yoga 13(2): p 99-110. 2020.‍ ‍

PUBLISHED RESEARCH