Anxious about being back in school? Already have a pile of assignments to turn in? C2C staff writer and yoga enthusiast, Micah Watkins has you covered. 

Kemetic yoga, which has origins in Egypt, has four core principles: truth, balance, harmony, and order. If practiced properly, the four principles also allow for a balanced collegiate lifestyle. There is no size requirement, no mat is necessary, and expensive athleisure wear only adds to the aesthetic, not the value, of your experience. Add these poses and affirmations to your nightly routine.

1. Start by getting on the ground and into a comfortable seated position for mindfulness, breathwork, and affirmations. Once you are comfortable, take three deep breaths. Use the entirety of your stomach to inhale and exhale using your mouth. After three breaths, say these affirmations to set your intentions for this flow:

•  I am capable of greater than I realize right now.

• I will keep steady and be diligent on my path.

• I let nothing stand in the way of my successful matriculation throughout Howard University.

• I am strong, smart, and able to do whatever I put my mind to.

• I will stay the course, continue my journey. And for this, I choose to get a good night’s rest.

2. Move into Downward Dog to elongate and decompress the spine, which is the central location of the body. Take three deep breaths in the same manner as before, filling your stomach then releasing it through the mouth.

5. After you have done this on both sides, go back into Downward Dog and stand up facing to the left of where you were facing before. Place your feet about three inches out from shoulder’s width apart and put both arms out. 

6. Slowly come down to your left side using the strength of your left toes. Do what feels good and what is pain-free. If you reach the ground like my pose in the picture, that is great. If not, that is great too! Take three deep breaths, come back up to the standing position, and do this on the opposite side. Then move back into Downward Dog.

8. From here, sit back on your bottom, lay on your back, and bring your knees to your chest. Stay in this pose for three deep breaths. For a more dynamic stretch, gently rock your body from left to right after taking three deep breaths.

7. Slowly bring yourself down to the ground and transition into a Child's Pose. Since we've done a lot of inverting, it's time to ground ourselves again using this position. Breathe deeply three times and release all tension.

9. Finally, lay flat on your back, hands facing the sky, and take three deep breaths in this position. At this point, think about how rejuvenated you and your body are. You will conquer the day. Let it be a productive one!

Asé and Namaste everyone. Come back to this routine every night to relieve stress and feel refreshed. Thank you all for flowing with me. I wish you all the best in your day’s endeavors. Peace and blessings!