Hot Weather Yoga

When the temperatures soar and you really don’t fancy another sweaty yoga session – how can you use yoga to cool down?

To be fair with Dru yoga I like to keep the pace relaxed. Mindful, slow movement in time with the breath, but even so, focusing on certain breath patterns and fire-y sequences can raise the inner temperature. So where to fucus for a more cooling effect?

Relax

For yoga on a hot day I recommend a shady spot, feet on the ground with trees shading overhead. Preferably by a cooling, bubbling stream. And if you can’t be there in person, perhaps use your imagination to take you there?

The Dru water sequence is one of my favourites to invite the quality of cooling and flow. Stirring the energy centres associated with water we can visualise cool water pouring over the body. The Dru moon sequence has a similar effect. Both of these sequences are useful not just on hot days, but for those hot moments in life of the ladies around the menopause.

My very favourite postures for these days?

Makarasana – crocodile posture. Face down on the cool earth, pillow with the hands, forehead on the hands. Feet a good 60cm apart. And simple let go. Let go of any tension in the body and let as much of your physical form as possible connect with the ground. The earth will cool you.

Second option? A cool seat under a tree in the woods. Only the noises of nature – birds, the leaves rustling in the wind, the stream trickling past. Forest bathing anyone?

Cool yoga for a hot day

Hot weather demands you balance with cool yoga. Drink plenty water. Be quiet in your body. Eat ice cream.