Yoga is the ancient art and science which is deeply rooted in the ancient tradition of India.
It is considered one of the best holistic healing therapy to date – not only in the country of its origin but all over the globe. Various yoga postures or asanas have been found effective for countering diverse health problems such as hypertension, obesity, stress, anxiety and fatigue, to name just a few.
There are some yoga poses that have shown proven benefits in handling the physical problems associated with summer season – being too hot. These poses help keep the body cool.
Here are some yoga poses that will help you keep cool this summer:
Shitali Pranayama
This yoga asana furnishes a cooling effect to the body through deep breathing.
Sit in cross legged position, stick out your tongue and hold it in a curled position. Inhale deeply through the mouth, making a hissing sound and then exhale through your nose. Repeat the whole exercise for minimum 5 times and maximum 20 times.
Benefits: This pose releases excess body heat and has a rejuvenating effect. It alleviates ulcers, constipation, acidity, hypertension and depression.
Single Nostril Breathing
Sit on the floor in cross legged position. Place your right hand index finger on your right nostril and hold it, inhaling and exhaling though the left side. Change the side of the nostril and repeat the process through the right side, about 5-20 times from each side.
Benefits: This pose has a cooling and relaxing impact on the body.
Pashchimotanasana/ Forward Bend Pose
Sit on the floor, stretching your legs in the front. Stretch forward and touch your feet and breathe out. Make sure that your knees are not bent. Hold the position for a few seconds, relax and regain your original position. Repeat a few times.
Benefits: This asana helps in cooling and detoxifying vital organs such as kidneys and abdomen. Additionally, it increases the flow of blood to the pelvic organs.
Shavasana/Corpse Pose
Lie on the floor in a relaxed posture facing a wall. Let your feet touch the wall and raise your legs with feet touching the wall. Hold the position for a while and then come back in the original relaxed shavasana pose.
Benefits: The pose cools you down during hot summers by stimulating the pumping capacity of the heart.
Virasana /Hero pose
Kneel on the floor with legs folded beneath your body, and let your hips rest over the legs. Make sure that your thighs touch each other. Sit on the feet (not between them), place your palms on the knees. Sit in the same position as long as you are comfortable, preferably 1-3 minutes.
Benefits: The pose keeps you cool and also improves digestion.
While all these yoga poses are easy to perform, some precautions should be exercised while doing them.
A yoga expert/trainer can help you know which asana or pose can be done by you as many of them are not suitable for everyone.
Pregnant women and patients of chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension and back pain should not do any yoga poses without expert advice.
Also, morning time is the best time to perform yoga asanas. After completing your yoga schedule, give your body plenty of time to cool down, which can be done with some meditation and relaxation.
So, tell us, what yoga pose are you going to try this summer?
