This Is the Founder of Baloo Living's Morning Routine

What is the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning? A well-rounded morning routine sets the tone for the day and gets you prepped—both mentally and physically—before diving into a packed schedule filled with emails, chores, happy hours, workouts, and more. Our series Morning Person profiles those who have mastered the art of the morning routine. From their go-to breakfasts to their sunrise workouts, tune in every Monday morning here and on our Instagram to learn exactly how the pros get it all done before the sun comes up.

Ever wonder what it's like to wake up among the coral reefs and palm trees of Bali, Indonesia? While many travel miles and miles to participate in the heralded yoga and health retreats that can be found on the island, founder of weighted blanket company Baloo Living, Elizabeth Grojean, mostly calls it her second home. 

Based in New York, Elizabeth takes at least one extended trip to Bali per year, making connections within a global network and allowing space to deepen the mind-body connection and intuition, which are key elements of Baloo’s mission to inspire and support self-healing for all people. Below, in her own words, Elizabeth describes her morning routine. 

5:45 a.m.

I go between New York City and Ubud, Bali, balancing between the two most opposite places on Earth. Today I’m in Ubud, where my home is on the banks of a creek facing terraced rice fields. The rooster crowing and nature sounds get started around 5:45 a.m, creating a Mother Earth alarm clock just as the sunlight starts to creep into the sky.

I sleep with one of my Baloo weighted blankets made with breathable cotton, so before my eyes open, I feel completely rested and recharged. My living space is open air, so walking onto the kitchen patio barefoot is my favorite way to feel the fresh air and say hello to the morning moon. 

I like to start my morning with a five-minute meditation recorded by Diana Jia called the Meditation for Instant Clarity. It helps me feel grounded and connect to the feeling of being open to receiving love and support from all sources.

6:30 a.m.

After coffee, meditation, and a moment to feel grateful for the day, I go to my desk to respond to emails from my team. We’re based in New York, San Diego, Asheville, Denver, and the Philippines, so these hours when I can speak with New York and California are precious.

At 7 a.m. I have fresh organic juices delivered from Wayan’s Coconut Juice Bar—always jamu to start, a traditional Indonesian herbal drink with turmeric, ginger, lime, and coconut. Jamu is a powerful antioxidant and aids in detoxifying the liver and cleaning the blood, so it supports the body’s natural health. I’ll also add some drops of Miracle Flow to my water, setting the intention for flow and manifesting throughout the day. Wayan’s also makes fresh squeezed green juices, and everything’s organic, so this is my perfect breakfast. 

8:00 a.m.

It’s time to head to yoga at my favorite studio, Ubud Yoga Centre, set overlooking rivers and rice fields. The studio offers vinyasa, Bikram, aerial yoga, Pilates and sound healings, but heated vinyasa flow with Tina is my favorite, and the view is breathtaking. After class, you can order a cold, fresh coconut for 20,000 rupiah—or less than $1.50.

9:30 a.m.

The best way to get around in Bali is by motorbike, so after yoga, I ride home to take a post-yoga plunge in my pool. No one’s around, so this is always a skinny-dip and a moment when I count my blessings. I don’t use many products here in Bali, but one of my favorites is a konjac sponge by PureSol, created by one of my NYC-Bali sisters, Nicole Crockett. Konjac is all-natural and plant-derived; it’s so simple, and I love it.

10:00 a.m.

After the swim and shower, I get my things together and head to a cafe in town to work. Ubud is a small town, so I often run into familiar faces; I feel the magic of Ubud draws in open-hearted people. The creative community here has been so important to me this past year. One of my favorite places to work is the restaurant at Bambu Indah, serving fresh, organic food from its gardens and set on the grounds of a magical bamboo eco-lodge. 

With strong Wi-Fi and fresh coffee on the way, I’m ready to start the day! 

Next up, a day in the life of Equinox's creative director.