Have you ever woken up stiff and tired and longed to spend a few extra minutes in bed? Would you like to feel energised, ready to start your day with vigour and ease?

Regular practice of the Sun Salutation is an ideal way to help kick-start your day. If you are not sure whether to invest your time and energy to practice the Sun Salutation take a look at these tips and see what you are missing.

1. As the name suggests The "Sun Salutation" is traditionally a salute to the sun. It's your body's opportunity to tune into the golden glow of warmth and light generating from the sun and get an internal sun-bath.

2. Do you remember the saying "you are as young as your spine?" - Well, regular practice of the Sun Salutation gives your spine an incredible multi-dimensional stretch.

3. Not only your spine but your whole body gets a good stretch when you practice the Sun Salutation. The 12 interlinking positions opens your heart and gently bend your body forwards, backwards.

4. As you stretch and co-ordinate your breath to the positions, you bring greater harmony and a sense of ease and fluidity into your body. After only a few rounds of practice you feel whole and complete.

5. Ancient seers and yogis have been practicing the Sun Salutation since 5,000 BC. Wow -imagine that - every time you practice this sequence you re-align and tune into the energies of great Yoga Masters. Imagine all that knowledge and understanding flowing through your body.

6. As you breathe deeply throughout the sequence you give your body a mini detox. Your energy is stimulated and balanced as the increase flow of prana flows through your body.

7. Best of all, you get a chance to lie-down and get well-earned rest when you have finished!

Next time you wake up, feeling grumpy and tired, take your time, breathe and slowly stretch your body and feel that warm glow from the sun bathe your body.