Summer time means different things for different people. For some it is time for holiday, time to hit the beach or relax and be lazy and hibernate indoors to stay cool. However one thing is constant about the summer, the boiling heat!! And with temperatures rising and the globe getting warmer and warmer each year, we really need to think of innovative ways to cool down. Here’s a way to cool down that might be new to many.
When adapting a summer yoga practice, focus ‘asanas’ on the seat of ‘pitta’, located in the region of the navel, manipura and solar plexus. The aim should be to practice gently, slowly and patiently with the intention of calming the intensity and restlessness caused by Pitta (an element which governs heat and metabolism in the body)
Sheetali Pranayama - Stick your tongue out and curl the sides of the tongue upward towards the center of the tongue. Breathe in through the mouth, hold the breath and slowly exhale through the nose. Do it repeatedly and you will begin to cool down within 5minutes. Sheetali pranayama also helps in removing the toxins from the body. The best part about this one is that it is hardly an exercise or yoga.. Sweating crazily waiting at the bus stop or the metro station.. just practice this simple and fun tip and see the quick results.
Taming the lion - Bend your knees and lift arms overhead, keeping your pose soft. Therefore tame the lion to remove extra fire and to remove the tension in your jaw and face at the same time. Also, exhale and fold your torso over your legs, knees bent, and swing your arms down and back, exhaling with a "ha" sound and sticking your tongue out. By the 10th time, there will no trace of excess heat in your body.
Lay Low Vinyasa - Start by laying on your back with your feet in the air, take a full breath and inhale. Exhale your feet up and back behind your head, taking gentle hold of your calves. Now inhale again and exhale to place your feet on the ground with your knees bent. Lower your hips and draw your knees to your chest. Stay here for a few breaths, or rock and roll up and down your spine a few times (inhale back, exhale up). This sequence keeps you on your back and low to the ground. It’s also a great release for the lower back. You may slow this down by taking 3-5 breaths in each pose. With the slow flow option, repeat the entire salutation 3-5 times, and then rest with knees to chest for a few minutes. This exercise will soothe you and cool you down slowly and gradually.
Shavasana – Unwind and relax at home after spending a long and hot summer day outside by doing a simple Shavasana. Lie down in Shavasana near a wall – with your feet touching the wall. Raise your legs and rest your feet on the wall. After holding the posture for a minute or two, bring the legs down and rest in Shavasana. You’ll find this yoga pose refreshing and restorative. Since the heart is pumping out more blood, when the temperature is high, this yoga pose helps the heart by returning more blood back to the heart. Those with high blood pressure and back problems should avoid this yoga posture.
Now not only will you remain fit and frosty, you inner heat may spiral out and the patience and tolerance levels may not plummet with the temperatures.
