Feel at ease with the Heat! Best yoga practices for summer

The blistering heat and humid weather can easily turn your mood into a grumpy one.

Try to relax through yoga, put your mind at ease, regain your inner peace, and begin to enjoy summer!

Breathing and your body are more connected than you think and is an important chapter in yoga. Sitali is “to cool” and “to relax” in Sanskrit. Pranayama means the practice of breathing. By practising this yoga breathing exercise, we can regulate our breaths, bring peace to our minds, and is perfect for relaxing in summer.

STEP 1: Begin in a comfortable seated position, keep your back straight and close your eyes.

STEP 2: Shape your lips into an O, and fold your tongue into a U.

STEP 3: Take a deep breath, curl your tongue backward and close your lips.

STEP 4: Hold your breath for a moment, and breathe out through your nose.

STEP 5: Repeat for 5 - 10 times.

The mountain pose Tadasana is centered around relaxation. It brings the body and soul back to balance, in turn easing the humid and depressing heat of summer. The lotus mudra is a hand gesture that releases negative thoughts and soothes the soul. Combining both, you will feel more grounded whilst at the same time calm as water. Focus on the present, the now, and yourself.

STEP 1: Relax your whole body and stand on a yoga mat with your feet parallel to each other.

STEP 2: Engage your core while opening your chest. Keep your back straight, and stack your ears, shoulders, hips and ankles over one another.

STEP 3: Bring your hands together in front of your chest with the heel of your palms touching.

STEP 4: Touch your thumbs and pinky fingers of both hands together, and spread out other fingers like the shape of a lotus.

The summer not only turns people grumpy, it can even affect your appetite and cause digestive issues. Here’s a yoga practice to help - the side angle pose Parivrtta Parsvakonasana. It’s a pose that massages organs in the abdomen and improves bowel movements, ultimately helping digestion. Try this out to begin a healthy lifestyle and enjoy summer with all it has to offer.

STEP 1: Step your left foot forward to a lunge.

STEP 2: Place your palms together in Anjali mudra. Bend forward slightly and twist your torso to the left, placing your right elbow on the outside of your left knee.

STEP 3: Slowly extend your right foot backwards and keep your balance slightly forward.

A comfortable and nice looking yoga outfit will help you on your yoga journey. Lee Garden is home to many international sportswear brands such as lululemon and adidas Performance in Hysan Place, NIKE KICKS LOUNGE, as well as NIKE in Leighton Centre. Pick your favourite yoga wardrobe and dress the part this summer.

Remember to take it easy when practising yoga. Be mindful of your body and don’t overstress any movements. Stay safe and enjoy your yoga journey!