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A Morning Cup of Yoga: One 15-minute Routine for a Lifetime of Health & Wellness
Whether you're a novice or expert yoga practitioner, this accessible little book offers up 23 morning stretches to improve your health and well-being in just 14 minutes a day. Do them right in your kitchen with no more equipment than a chair and the countertop. While the kettle is boiling, the dog is being let out, or the kids are getting ready for school, you can begin to feel better and look better for life. Over 100,000 copies in print!
- GenresHealthNonfiction
78 pages, Spiral-bound
First published October 1, 2002
7 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 2, 2025
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this little book and I’ve shared it with many people.
I was suffering from back problems and saw five different doctors who all suggested surgery except one- she suggested trying some exercise routines including yoga.
My cousin shared this book with me and it was a life changer. I’ve been doing it now for over 10 years every morning and not only does it release my endorphins it’s a also has made such a significant difference in my back issues. Of course, if you have any health issues consult with a doctor
It is a wonderful routine to start one’s day!! 🥰
I was suffering from back problems and saw five different doctors who all suggested surgery except one- she suggested trying some exercise routines including yoga.
My cousin shared this book with me and it was a life changer. I’ve been doing it now for over 10 years every morning and not only does it release my endorphins it’s a also has made such a significant difference in my back issues. Of course, if you have any health issues consult with a doctor
It is a wonderful routine to start one’s day!! 🥰
July 27, 2019
The CD with this book is recorded at much too fast a pace. So if you're totally familiar with the simple yoga stances (really just stretches) you'll be fine, but don't play the CD as a beginner because you'll be lost.. If you want a quick, superficial 15 min yoga routine before you go to work in the morning this would be the book. It's older, published 2002, so many people no longer play CDs. I feel that more traditional yoga poses, rather than these less satisfying derivatives, would be just as fast and more satisfying. The text is easy and friendly, definitely yoga lite.
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July 10, 2025I'm culling my books to prep for a move.
This is cute. Comes with a CD, which I haven't listened to. It's a nice gift to someone new to yoga. The foreword is by Rodney Yee, which is probably why I bought it.
It's an older book, pre social media, and I appreciate these books before "influencers" who do "yoga
party tricks" got book deals because they had a lot of followers. Books like this are more true to yoga.
It includes a section on the sutras.
It's a sweet and cute yoga gift for someone new to yoga.
This is cute. Comes with a CD, which I haven't listened to. It's a nice gift to someone new to yoga. The foreword is by Rodney Yee, which is probably why I bought it.
It's an older book, pre social media, and I appreciate these books before "influencers" who do "yoga
party tricks" got book deals because they had a lot of followers. Books like this are more true to yoga.
It includes a section on the sutras.
It's a sweet and cute yoga gift for someone new to yoga.
March 17, 2008
This is such a cute concept... a little Yoga in your kitchen to start out your day. That's where we hang out in the morning anyway, right?
My usual kitchen asana practice is out of shear desperation for a backache (from too much standing, cleaning and cooking) and it goes a little something like this:
Quickly arrange twelve mounds of cookie dough on a baking sheet (hurry before the timer goes off from the previous batch).
Bend over to place the unused dough back in the fridge (why is there never room for it on an upper shelf?) and turn off the timer. Open the oven and bend over to check for those beautiful golden edges... they're done! Place those on the stove and stick the next batch in the oven. Set the timer.
Two minutes off for pan cooling time, Yippy! Drop down into four-limb staff pose on the middle of the kitchen floor. Do up-dog, and then down-dog. Ahhhhhh so much better.
Now remove cookies to a wire rack. Scrape crumbs off of the baking sheet and set it down near the window to cool. Move the previous batch of oh so yummy chocolate chip cookies into piles on waxed paper.
Repeat adding plow pose.
Repeat adding spinal twist. Oh no, the cookies are sticking... how many more batches? :S But back to the book...
This is a simple sequence of poses that about anyone could do. There are a few variations mentioned in the book to make them a bit more challenging.
I love the idea of using your kitchen surfaces as props really making this a comfortable practice for all levels... you can use the chair seat, table top, or counter top to prop up your foot for a hamstring stretch. You can hold on to chair backs or counter tops for balance.
It will take me a little more discipline not to get distracted by the kind of plotting out the day type of thoughts that are the usual kitchen routine. Putting in the audio CD that comes with the book may help to keep us focused... but it just feels a tiny bit rushed and doesn't mention the variations. The book is so charming and is illustrated by the author’s daughter... very nice!
My usual kitchen asana practice is out of shear desperation for a backache (from too much standing, cleaning and cooking) and it goes a little something like this:
Quickly arrange twelve mounds of cookie dough on a baking sheet (hurry before the timer goes off from the previous batch).
Bend over to place the unused dough back in the fridge (why is there never room for it on an upper shelf?) and turn off the timer. Open the oven and bend over to check for those beautiful golden edges... they're done! Place those on the stove and stick the next batch in the oven. Set the timer.
Two minutes off for pan cooling time, Yippy! Drop down into four-limb staff pose on the middle of the kitchen floor. Do up-dog, and then down-dog. Ahhhhhh so much better.
Now remove cookies to a wire rack. Scrape crumbs off of the baking sheet and set it down near the window to cool. Move the previous batch of oh so yummy chocolate chip cookies into piles on waxed paper.
Repeat adding plow pose.
Repeat adding spinal twist. Oh no, the cookies are sticking... how many more batches? :S But back to the book...
This is a simple sequence of poses that about anyone could do. There are a few variations mentioned in the book to make them a bit more challenging.
I love the idea of using your kitchen surfaces as props really making this a comfortable practice for all levels... you can use the chair seat, table top, or counter top to prop up your foot for a hamstring stretch. You can hold on to chair backs or counter tops for balance.
It will take me a little more discipline not to get distracted by the kind of plotting out the day type of thoughts that are the usual kitchen routine. Putting in the audio CD that comes with the book may help to keep us focused... but it just feels a tiny bit rushed and doesn't mention the variations. The book is so charming and is illustrated by the author’s daughter... very nice!
October 28, 2009
This short book comes with a CD guiding you through a 15 minutes 'wake-up' session of stretches with a soothing voice and nature sounds I think. I love the explanation of yoga, of it's beliefs that fit nicely into Christian beliefs of forgiveness, unconditional love, service, care of self, etc. They just have different names for it. It is small and gives a great overview of breathing techniques, posture, and positive attitude and self awareness. I got it years ago at Jamba Juice, actually and have loved it.
July 6, 2015
A neat little book. I had "borrowed" this from a friend a while ago, and started using it last week after my latest back disc/muscle problem.
It's a short series of routines, designed to be done in the kitchen with support of a chair or counter top as props. They're all easy stretching exercises, well explained, with calming breathing exercises woven in. Some of exercises include an optional extras, if you need a bit more from them. Once you've worked through the mechanics of each pose, the 15 minute CD routine guides you through them.
Great start to the day, and a big help for my back.
It's a short series of routines, designed to be done in the kitchen with support of a chair or counter top as props. They're all easy stretching exercises, well explained, with calming breathing exercises woven in. Some of exercises include an optional extras, if you need a bit more from them. Once you've worked through the mechanics of each pose, the 15 minute CD routine guides you through them.
Great start to the day, and a big help for my back.
July 8, 2007
I really enjoy this quick and simple routine. It's a great book to have at-hand. The author has a very clear and simple voice and offers many helpful tips for a gentle, yet challenging routine fit for all stages of life. Whether or not you are familiar with Yoga and it's benefits, this is a great way to start your day! and a great way to remain flexible and strong through a lifetime of changes!
August 30, 2011
This is a great little 'warmer upper' book. Easy to read and easy to complete in a short amount of time, the stretches and poses in this book will get your day off to a great start. It really is about 15 minutes, while your coffee brews ...
May 12, 2013
This is a great introduction to yoga for any age. I love the illustrations, the size so easy to tuck in the shelf of the kitchen cabinet or leave out on the table.
All of the poses will add vitality to one's being, and allow a space for Holiness to percolate through and through.
August 11, 2008
While it's really more of a stretching routine, this book and CD provide a lighthearted, accessible and quick way to introduce a little bit of yoga to your day.
Currently reading
March 9, 2011It is a delightful book so far. I really enjoy it.
December 7, 2012
"How much of our lives are wasted... never fully experiencing where we are at the moment."
January 8, 2013
I do not really have a lot of time for yoga, but this is a nice little quickie that I will do once in a while. It has easy to follow directions. It sort of helps me prepare for the day.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews