Yoga for Summer

Summer is a time of light and warmth.  Cultivate opposite environment on inside of the body – cool and calm.

Pitta is the dosha of summer – driven by solar force (high energy, heat) so we can balance pitta energy – create lunar current within the body – by choosing foods and activities that are cooling.

Cooling yoga poses

• Moon salutation
• Bridge with a yoga block
• Legs up the wall
• Supported shoulder stand
• Forward folds-seating-wide leg
• Floor twists

These poses send a calming wave  through the nervous system and help body self-regulate.

Breathing

• Shitali – breath in through curled tongue and exhale through nose. 20
  times
• Single nostril – cover right and breathe in and out from left (left nostril is cooling channel)

Cooling foods

• Fruits and vegetables with a high water content – melons, cucumber, leafy green
• Foods that are light and cool and do not need much cooking
• Enough fluids – coconut water
• Avoid getting dehydrated
• Herbs and spices to reduce pitta: mint, fennel, cilantro, cumin and coriander

Re-printed from Gaiam-blog-Yoga for summer
June 2019