The Grounding Rituals That Help This Fitness Entrepreneur Start the Day

What's 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 you dive 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.

Tune in every week here and on our Instagram to learn exactly how the pros get it all done before the sun comes up, from their go-to breakfasts to their a.m. workouts.

As the founder and CEO of The Class, a popular workout experience that aims to strengthen the body, mind, and spirit, Taryn Toomey is one of the most recognizable names in wellness. For its many devotees and celebrity clientele that includes Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow, The Class provides a ground sanctuary of self-care, and it's no wonder that Toomey has extended the same philosophy to her own practice at home.

Keep scrolling to see why it's essential for Toomey to set out time for herself every morning before her day begins.

5:30 A.M.

I believe we all have a specific circadian rhythm we are born with, and mine has always been: Early to rise, early to bed. Once I get up, I'll brush my teeth, scrape my tongue, and rinse my face with cold water, before doing a quick skincare routine.

I'll start with a face mask based on what my skin needs that day. Today's is Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask. As for the rest of my skincare, I'm currently loving Beautycounter Counter+ All Bright C Serum (it's been really helping with the discoloration that I get from melasma), Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, and Kubra Kay Cocoa Butter Cream.

6 A.M.

Afterward, I'll head down to the kitchen and boil some warm water with a fresh-squeezed lemon for my morning tonic. Depending on my mood, I'll also add a dash of cayenne and turmeric. Then, I'll take my probiotic before doing a few long rounds of Uddiyana Bhanda, an energetic abdominal lock commonly practiced in yoga. This has been a staple a.m. practice of mine for so many years. I can really feel the congestion building in my gut if I skip it. 

6:30 A.M.

Next, I'll get out my mat and roll around for a bit based on what my body needs. I'll usually do a short belly roll to help stimulate my digestive system.

6:45 A.M.

I like to sit and play my harmonium, by making sounds to clean out my lungs and connect to my heart without any of the distractions that are created from moving through the day. I find this time to be very valuable to set myself up for the rest of my day, so I make sure I get it in. 

I'll then head into a quiet meditation, usually until my kids come down or I have to wake them for school.

7 A.M.

Then the race of being a mother, which includes getting them and myself out the door, begins. This is the, "Please get dressed, eat, etc, weeeee!!!" part of the morning, and when it all starts, I'm reminded why my self-care rituals matter so much. 

7:40 A.M.

I'll drop my kiddos off at school and then either head to the office to work or to the studio to teach. And voilà, my day is in full swing.

Next: How This London-Based Beauty Brand Founder Gets Ready in the Morning