Stay cool this summer with Yoga

Summer Wellness Guide by Deepa Kothawale, Yoga Therapist. Photo credit: Deepa Kothawale

As temperatures rise during the summer, our bodies may overheat, leading to various symptoms such as sweating, fever, muscle cramps, weakness, pale or cold skin, increased heart rate, nausea, acidity, exhaustion, heat stroke, breathing difficulties, and skin allergies. As the intensity of heat increases, it often becomes challenging to do anything other than seek shelter in an air-conditioned room.

Mumbai-based yoga therapist Deepa Kothawale shares simple and practical tips to stay cool during summer through yoga, pranayama, and lifestyle changes.

During the summer season, it is advisable to practice yoga asanas in the early morning when the temperature is relatively cooler. Start your practice with Omkar to improve your concentration and connect with the universe. After that, you can move on to kapalbhati, which involves slow-paced active exhalation and passive inhalation. This breathing technique helps to detoxify your body at a cellular level.

Slowly transition into Vajrasana by joining your palms and stretching your body towards the ceiling. Then, move into Parvatasana and take deep breaths to reduce stiffness in the upper body. Next, move into Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward-facing dog pose) to feel calm and relaxed as blood flows towards your eyes and head. From there, transition into Hastapadasana and Trikonasana, followed by Tadasana, to remain enthusiastic, reduce blood pressure, and improve balance. Afterwards, sit in Sukhasana and perform body rotations and ankle movements to relax mentally.

Afterwards, you can begin your pranayama practice. Sit up straight while keeping your body relaxed, and start by practising Chandranadi pranayama. This involves breathing in from the left nostril and exhaling from the right nostril, which activates Chandranadi and promotes better sleep and calmness. Then, move on to practising Shitali pranayama, which involves inhaling through the mouth and exhaling through the nose. This practice can help reduce body heat, acidity, and anxiety.

Conclude with Bhramari pranayama, cupping your hands gently around your eyes and concentrating mentally near the eye centre to feel extreme relaxation and rejuvenation in the brain and body.

To get the best results, combine these exercises with a suitable diet. During summer, include refreshing drinks like coconut water and whole citrus fruits like lemon, orange, pineapple, and muskmelon. These fruits taste great and are excellent for quenching thirst and promoting healthy skin due to their high water content and vitamin C. Add cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, onions, curd, bananas, and green leafy vegetables. These foods are rich in water and essential nutrients and can help regulate body temperature and prevent dehydration.

It’s important to take care of your health when you’re out in the sun during the summer season. One helpful tip is to put a small piece of cotton in your right ear, which will automatically cause you to breathe through your left nostril. This helps keep your body cool and avoid any potential health issues arising from overheating. Remember to follow this advice and stay safe in the sun!