How to Thrive Through the Hot Summer Months

Would you like to find a natural way to lower your internal thermostat? Summer is an expansive, outwardly energetic time of year, and we can feel that energy all around us: longer days and shorter nights, outings, vacations… and the past month of World Cup games! But we have tools in yoga to help manage our internal system to feel more centered and grounded as we stay open to the energy and excitement of these hot summer months. 

Certain yoga poses can help you cool down and reconnect with yourself when you feel distracted or pulled off balance. For me, this can show up as a general feeling of weariness or noticing my voice getting hoarse—a reminder that I need to slow down and ground myself in my body.

Here are a few simple yoga poses you can return to when you need to reset: 

• Start by standing in Mountain Pose with both of your feet on the ground, hips over the knees, shoulders over the hips. Bring one hand to your heart, one hand to your belly, and tune in.

  
  

• Next, hug one knee into your chest and find your balance. Open that knee out to the side for Tree Pose and bring your foot to rest on your inner thigh or inner shin (avoid the knee joint itself). When you feel steady, reach your arms up and open them wide to create more spaciousness and opening. Step your foot back on the ground when you're ready. Make sure to do both sides.

  
  

• Hinging at the hips, fold your torso forward with a slight bend in your knees and come into a full forward fold, holding opposite elbows. Feel your spine decompress and release pressure.

  
  

• Bend your knees and come all the way down to sit on the ground, with your legs extended out in front of you. Lift your arms overhead and, with a long spine, hinge forward into a forward fold. It can feel good to stack some cushions in front of you and rest your forehead on them. Stay here for a few minutes and allow your body to reset and slow down.

If you feel like a treat at the end of this practice, try this iced herbal tea: Steep 1 large handful of fresh mint (or a mint tea bag) along with 1 sliced lemon in 4 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain out the leaves, stir in 1/4 cup of honey until dissolved, and chill in the fridge. Serve over ice with fresh mint.

Wishing you a relaxing and balanced summer!