Stay Cool With Yoga
Summer time brings with it a plethora of problems. Also, during the summers, it becomes too hot and the change in climate may cause headaches, irritation, stress. exhaustion, heartburn, lever fatigue, dizziness, giddiness and many other symptoms and disorders which leads to an increased pitta which causes an imbalance in the tridoshas and thus the mind is disturbed causing several health troubles.
Practicing yoga can be an ideal option, to keep these problems at bay and to reduce the ill effects of summer on the mind and body. In addition to shaping the body and mind towards total well being. yoga has many more benefits to offer during the summer season. Certain kinds of yoga practices are effective and helpful to alleviate health trauma and to achieve physical, mental and emotional well-being as well, Practice some of these yoga tips during the summer and let a soothing wave of relaxation pass through your mind and body.
Awareness Of Breath
Sit in any comfortable asana, close your eyes and relax. Just concentrate on your breathing pattern. Inhale slowly and think cool, fresh air is entering your lungs and with each exhalation, warm air is coming out of your lungs via your nostrils. Just feel the cool and warm air, going in and coming out from your nostrils. This breathing awareness calms your mind and relaxes you in short period of time.
Yoga To Cool Off
Sheetali Pranayama
- Sheetali is a Sanskrit word that means ‘cooling’. This practice cools the body and mind because it reduces stress, maintains blood pressure, reduces body temperature and also removes excess heat and excess bile from the body. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and thereby. calms the entire nervous system.
- Take your tongue out and roll it lengthwise like a tube inside the mouth, now inhale through tongue for tour seconds. Now, take your tongue back and close your mouth and exhale through your nose for six seconds. Practice this for two-five minutes. This practice also helps to quench thirst
Chandra Bhedana Breathing
Sit in a comfortable pose with your eyes slightly closed, block your light nostril with your right hand and inhale deeply through your left nostril, hold your breath and then exhale through your right nostril by blocking the left one. Repeat five-ten times by inhaling from the left nostril and exhaling from the right nostril.
Anulom Vilom Pranayama
Alternate nostril breathing or anulom vilom pranayama can be practiced as an effective breathing exercise. It helps purify the mind and body as well. It also works effectively in curing internal body conditions and relaxes you as well as makes you stress-free.
Bhramari Pranayama
Bhramari pranayama is another breathing exercise, also called humming bee breath because of the sound of a humming bee. This exercise is great for creating a soothing and calming effect on your mind.
While you exhale slowly, the humming bee-like sound is emitted during this pranayama. To practice this pranayama, you need to keep your eyes and ears dosed by using your fingers as this keeps the outside distractions of sight and sounds away from you and helps centralize your consciousness.
- Sit in a comfortable meditative pose.
- Start breathing normally and feel a wave of relaxation flowing through your body.
- Keep your mouth closed.
- Use the index finger to plug both of your ears and keep your eyes close.
- Inhale slowly and fill your lungs with a deep breath.
- Now, start exhaling the breath slowly by making a humming sound from your throat.
- Make sure the sound reverberates in the head.
- Practice this exercise for five to ten times.
Benefits of Bhramari Pranayama
- It helps release stress and calms your mind and body.
- It relaxes the nerves.
- Reduces frustration and anger.
- It makes the voice good and deep and helps get rid of throat ailments.
- It’s beneficial for people suffering with blood pressure.
‘Cool’ Asanas
- Tadasana
- Dhanurasana
- Ardhakatichakrasana
- Marjariasana
- Vajrasana
- Shashankasana
- Uttanpadasana
- Yoga mudrasana
- Titli asana (butterfly pose)
- Shavasana
Asanas should be practices slowly and steadily with ease and should always be followed by shavasana at least for five to ten minutes. All these techniques are simple and effective for cooling and calming the nerves and in turn, the mind and the body.
Tips For A Cooler Summer
- Reduce your consumption of spicy food, tea, coffee and avoid junk food as much as possible.
- Avoid too much of fatty foods that creates an extra burden on your digestive system and heart.
- Include fruits and veggies in your daily meals.
- Include yoghurt and buttermilk in your diet.
- Drink lemon juice and honey or mix a few drops of lemon and a pinch of salt In your drinking water.