YOGA POSES TO HELP YOU CHILL
Yoga practice should vary according to seasons. Here are a few asanas best suited for summer
The summer heat can get you to change your fitness and workout regimen quite a bit. If visiting the gym every day seems like a difficult task, then look at simple and effective yoga asanas to stay fit. It also helps beat the heat and maintain body temperature when the sun is too harsh.
The summer tendency to constantly reach out for a sip may come in the way of doing asanas. However, Dr
Hansaji J
Yogendra, director, The Yoga Institute, says, “If anyone feels thirsty, he or she can sip a little water and carry on. Also, during yoga practice, if nature calls, attend to it immediately,” adding, “One should not practise yoga directly on ground or floor. Always spread a clean cloth, yoga mat and sit on it. Yoga practice should be done slowly, calmly without any hurry, haste or exhaustion. Always finish with a relaxation posture on your back after finishing yoga.” Celebrity choreographer, Shiamak Davar who has been practising yoga daily lists his summer favourites. “The pranayamas that beat the summer heat include sheetali pranayama, sheetkari pranayama and chandrabhedi pranayama. Also, the asanas include shavasana, konasana and simhasana. These will definitely help you to stay healthy, fit and cool this
summer,” he says.
WARM WEATHER DOS AND DON’TS
Manish Pole, yogi, speaker-author and cofounder, Total Yoga, says, “In summer, excessive backwards bending in asana practice is avoided. Rather, forward bending and twists are emphasised on. This is, if you’re practising in a normal environment. If you’re practising in an AC studio it might not matter much.”
Rinul Pashankar, aerial yoga instructor and founder Om Studio shares that poses such as cobra pose (bhujanga asana) helps you release heat and cool down. The half spinal twists (ardhmatsendrya asana) a massage for the abdominal organs, spine twists also help in releasing tension and stress of lower back, helping relax. Simple neck exercises and savasana help to release stress and cool the system.”
Pole shares that in summer one should avoid practising yoga during the middle of the day when it can get quite warm. “The focus is on early morning or sunset time practice. We avoid excessive numbers of surya namaskars. Also, it is better to have light meals. Khichhdi is a great summertime dish as are salads
and butter milk and yoghurtbased preparations.”
Davar echoes the same thoughts, saying, “Any physical activity increases body temperature, hence it’s best to avoid strenuous, excessive asanas. Also, avoid brisk breathing techniques. Practice gentle meditative asanas during the summer.”
DURING HOTTER MONTHS, IT IS BETTER TO PRACTISE YOGA EITHER AT DUSK
OR AT DAWN