This Yoga App Founder Eases Into Her Mornings With Guided Stretches

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 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. 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, from their go-to breakfasts to their a.m. workouts.

Some of the people who share their morning routines with us seem like natural morning people, so it's refreshing (and aspirational!) to hear Lizzie Brown tell us she used to be a "chronic snoozer." The founder of Yoga Wake Up has become a "morning person" in recent years thanks to the creation of her app and a smart nighttime routine. Take a look at how she starts her mornings below.

Technically, my morning routine begins the night before. I don't have a ton of time from when I wake up to when we're out the door, so I like to use the evenings to prepare. This includes packing my gym bag, reserving my class on the Equinox app, and setting my Yoga Wake Up alarm. Then the phone gets plugged in next to the bed and set to airplane mode until tomorrow.

Years ago when my husband and I started the Yoga Wake Up app—which eases you awake gently with easy, audio-guided bed yoga—I was a chronic snoozer. Thank God you weren't asking for my morning routine then! Nowadays I wakeup when I first hear the sound of a yogi easing me awake. Then I do some guided stretches to gently awaken and connect my mind and body. My favorites to wake up to include Lindsey Valdez and Niki Saccareccia. When that's complete, my husband, Joaquin, and I make the bed together. Then I usually get dressed or shower, depending on when I'm working out that day.

My stepson is up, and we're usually all in the kitchen making breakfast together so we like to have music playing, usually something bright and cheery, like classic oldies or '90s hip-hop. For breakfast, Joaquin and I make a veggie frittata or an over-medium egg with sweet potato hash. I try to always use breakfast as an opportunity to get in our greens, and I add a lot of spices like curry, turmeric, and cayenne. We sit at the table and go over our plans for the day. After breakfast, I take my supplements, which include a MyKind Organics Women’s Once Daily multivitamin and Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega Fish Oil. Then I get our lunch together, which is either leftovers from dinner last night (I always cook extra) or a salad.

I really love Ursa Major's skincare line. It's clean and smells fresh. I use the Fantastic Face Wash followed by Force Field Daily Defense Lotion With SPF 18. Then I brush my teeth with Forever Living Aloe Vera Toothgel and scrape my tongue.

My makeup routine isn't very structured and depends on what I have planned for the day. I'm pretty low-maintenance, so if I don't have meetings I usually just use Nars Tinted Moisturizer in St. Moritz and Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara with a Tarte lip tint that matches what I'm feeling that day. (I have them in like 20 colors!) If I need more coverage, I use Tarte's Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15 in Medium Sand and Too Faced's Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer.

Most mornings, unless I need the car, we all board the Culver City Metro Bus. It's 15 minutes door-to-door, and we feel good about being one less car on the road. While riding, I take stock of what's in my inbox and anything urgent, check in on social media, and catch a bit of news.

I've made it to work, and it's time for a much-deserved cup of coffee as I dig into what I need to accomplish for the day!

Next up: How Emma Chamberlain Breaks Down Her Ideal Morning Routine and Self-Care Rituals