5 cooling yoga poses to beat the heat this summer

As the scorching sun beats down and the mercury rises, finding respite from the sweltering heat becomes a top priority. While air conditioners and cold beverages offer temporary relief, there is a lesser-known secret to beating the heat—yoga. Yes, you read that right! Yoga, the ancient practice known for its myriad benefits, holds one key to cooling down your body and reducing internal heat. With a combination of mindful movements, deep breathing and specific poses, you can find a natural and refreshing escape from the heat. So, roll out your mat, grab a towel, and get ready to discover yoga poses that will leave you feeling cool, calm and collected even on the hottest of days.

Yoga poses to cool down and reduce body heat in summer

Health Shots spoke to Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, founder of Akshar Yoga Research and Development Centre, to find out which yoga poses are best to keep the body cool and calm.

Akshar says, “Exercising in the summer might be a challenge. But if you’re committed to becoming healthy, learning some simple yoga poses can actually help you cool off this season.”

He adds, “Yoga positions can help you cool off by naturally bringing down your body temperature. Your body’s metabolic processes produce thermal energy, which, along with temperatures and dehydration, can raise your body temperature. You can cool down and lower your body temperature by performing the yoga poses suggested here.

Here are 5 best cooling yoga poses to try this summer:

1. Vriksasana (Tree pose)

• Place your feet together so that your knees and ankles contact. Lengthen the spine by aligning the foot arches, neck, and crown of the head in a straight line.
• Namaste stance involves bringing the palms together in front of the chest.
• Place your right foot underweight.
• Making sure the spine is straight, bring the sole of the left foot to the inner of the right thigh.
• Look straight ahead while pressing the left foot towards the inner of the right thigh.
• Namaste pose: Raise the palms in the air.
• Release the left foot back down and exhale. Tadasana for a moment, then repeat on the opposite side.

2. Prasarita padottanasana (Wide-legged forward bend)

• Start with tadasana or mountain pose.
• Step apart with your feet.
• While maintaining a straight spine and a back that is parallel to the floor, exhale and bend forward from the hip joint.
• Continue bending while reaching your hands to the ground with your arms extended. Just below the shoulders, keep the fingertips in place.
• Align the tips of the fingers with the foot arches.
• If at all possible, flex the elbows and allow the head’s crown to touch the ground.
• Put your palms on the ground.
• For 30 to 60 seconds, maintain the posture.
• Bring the hands under the shoulders to release, then raise yourself back up.
• Put your hands on your hips and raise your torso back up by swinging from your hip.

3. Baddha konasana (Bound angle pose or butterfly pose)

• Sit on the ground with your legs out in front of you and your back straight.
• Exhale while bending your knees and bringing your feet’s soles together.
• Keeping the feet apart when opening them.
• For a few breaths, maintain this posture. Exhale and bring your torso forward by bending at the hips while keeping your back straight and not elevating your hips.
• Hold the position for however long feels right. Bring the knees together and extend the legs to release.

4. Savasana (Corpse pose)

• Lay flat on your back on the floor with your arms and legs fully extended.
• With the palms facing up, position the arms on either side.
• Allow the feet to naturally fall and open up.
• Shut your eyes.
• Maintaining normal breathing, hold the position for at least five minutes.
• Take a few long breaths to relax, then gently extend the body before slowly slowly.

5. Cat cow pose (Marjariasana)

• Get down on your hands and knees with your hands in the air.
• With your toes pointed backward, place your hands or wrists beneath your shoulders and your knees beneath your hips.
• Take a breath, lift your gaze, and lower your abdomen toward the floor while raising your spine.
• Exhale now, lowering your head, arching your spine upward, and tucking your chin into your chest.
• Either repeat this stance 15-20 times or keep moving for at least one minute.

Tip: Inhale as you look up and exhale as you look down.

So, include the following poses in your everyday yoga practice this summer to stay calm and composed!