We hardly need any convincing to appreciate summer and its warmer temps. They create a welcomed opportunity to get outside, hit the beach or local pool, and load up on vitamin D. But when the heat starts affecting our shuteye, it's time to call in the reinforcements.
Beat the heat with Breath of Fire's cooler cousin!
That's why, just in time for summer, Lindsey Valdez created a soothing bedtime session to help us cool down before we wind down.
It features something called Sitali Pranayama, and it goes like this...
First, start by lying down in bed or on your mat with the soles of your feet together and your knees apart. Feel free to place one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest, or by your sides if that's too warm.
“Making an ‘O’ shape with your mouth, curl the edges of your tongue inward like a taco,” Lindsey says. “Begin inhaling through your curled tongue as if you were sipping water through a straw. To exhale, pull your tongue back into your mouth, closing your lips gently as you slowly breathe out through your nose.”
Once you’ve repeated this eight to ten times, she says, drop your legs down to the left while you twist your torso to the right, keeping your arms overhead in a V shape. Reverse your twist, and then situate yourself so you can lie with your legs up the wall for another eight to ten rounds of Sitali breath. “Once you’re done, relax here for another two to three minutes as you seal in your gratitude for the day,” says Lindsey. And remember to set the intention to do it again and as long as it's still hot outside.
Ready to try this cooling breath and stretch yourself? Try it out. Try this one and more for a peaceful bedtime ritual, via the Yoga Wake Up app, free for the first 7 days. Follow us @yogawakeup