The summer days may be warm and distracting at times because of numerous activities that arise. In some places, rising mercury prompts many people to stay confined to the indoors and chill out at night only. Ironically, the yoga schedule for yoga enthusiasts gets a big jolt as they often shun following their old routine. However, for a keen yoga follower, summertime is just another season to chill out with yoga. A yogi needs to bend a few rules to adjust to the summertime.
Summer Yoga Tips
During the summer months, doing regular yoga is a must for stretching out. Even 15 minutes is good to keep your body flexible. Yoga asana and pranayama bestow the body and mind with good health in all seasons. Here are a few great tips for you to continue doing yoga this summer.
Time to practice outdoor: The winter months are gone and so is the lovely warmth indoors, where practicing yoga was fun. However, you cannot rule out the advantages of practicing yoga in the open air where you have the advantage of the sun beating on you and feeding you a good dose of vitamin D. Sweating will detoxify and rejuvenate your body. The asana will offer some real time body conditioning.
Pranayama
Summer heat can take a toll on your body. However, there are a few ways one can beat the heat through Pranayama. Pranayama is a yogic variation done with breathing. Shitali and Sheetkari pranayama are best to counter the heat. In this pranayama yogi, breathe through the mouth. This is almost like the hissing of a python, as it takes the deep breaths to suck small animals into its mouth.
Shitali and Sheetkari pranayama are very useful for cooling down the body and mind. There is only a slight difference between the two. In Shitali pranayama, yogis fold the tongue and breathe through the mouth, whereas in Sheetkari, you inhale through clenched teeth. You need to inhale deeply through the mouth and make a hissing sound, then exhaling through the nostrils. Repetition of this process is required eight to ten times, giving way to a welcome cool freshness.
Benefits: This not only cools down the body and mind but also controls your blood pressure and helps in indigestion. This is good for normalizing fever and alleviating gum disease, throat, and other mouth-related diseases. Furthermore, it is an anti-depressant and a stress-buster. This method also reduces thirst levels, especially when you do not have immediate access to refreshments.
Tips
Hydrate yourself: In the summer months, the more you hydrate yourself, the better it is for your metabolism. You need to avoid artificially flavored drinks and try consuming natural fruit juices and lemon squeezed in water, which is great for your system.
Control the nerves: When the summer heat bothers you and tests your tolerance, it is the time to try a breathing technique, known as ‘Chandrabhedi’ pranayama. By using this technique, you can reduce stress levels and channel positive energy. This begins by opening your mouth, clenching your teeth, pressing your tongue over your teeth and breathing in. Then close your mouth and exhale through your nose eight to ten times which will help you cool substantially.
Wear light and cool clothing: Dressing comfortably is the key to a good yoga session. Wearing comfortable yoga shorts or crop tops is the most suitable for a variety of poses. Poses like the crow pose can be done with ease when you wear a pair of airy yoga shorts.
The Shavasana or corpse posture also relaxes and refreshes body and mind during the warmer months.
