Summer is finally here! It’s the time to wear nice flowy dresses, pack for vacations, go sunbathing, chug bottles of lemonade etc. But these are all the good parts, did you really forget the other half of it? We are talking about the soaring temperatures during the daytime coupled with intense heat, humid climate, frizzy hair, melting makeup and sweat, lots and lots of sweat!

From heat stroke - dehydration, sunburn, dizziness, cramps, swelling in ankles and feet, to heat exhaustion, summer ailments too go up a notch with the mercury rising day by day. Sweating profusely all the time literally puts fitness and working out on a back seat, making you sluggish and tired throughout the day.

Also Read: Excessive Body Heat: 7 Simple Ways To Bring It Down

If going to the gym every day or performing high intensity work out seems a little too much for you, why not opt for something that will not only keep you energetic and fit but also bring down the body temperature during the harsh summer weather? Well, you can incorporate cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, chaas or buttermilk, coconut water, lemonade in the daily diet. But if you need something permanent to keep yourself cool throughout the day, try including Yoga to your regimen. This age-old practice not only lowers the core temperature of your body and cools it down but also helps in maintaining a proper physique and boosts overall body functioning.

Also Checkout: Summer Veggies: 5 Hydrating Foods To Beat The Heat -Infographic

So, what are you waiting for? Just grab a yoga mat and you are all set for combatting the summer heat naturally.

Yogasanas To Cool Down The Body

Matsya Asana (Fish Pose)

Lie on your back and fold your arms underneath your body. Lift your head and chest up, breathe in, and then rest the crown of the head on the ground while arching your back. Maintain the balance of your whole body using your elbows. Inhale and exhale deeply opening up the chest. Maintain this position for as long as you are comfortable.

Benefits:

Touted as “Destroyer of all diseases”, the Fish pose promotes deep breathing by stretching and strengthening the lung muscles. It is an extremely beneficial pose for opening the chest and relaxing the shoulders and neck. This cooling yoga pose also calms the nervous system.

Marjariasana (Cat Pose)

Bend on your knees and keep your head straight. Inhale deeply and lift your chin while pushing back your head a bit. Keep your buttocks firm and hold the posture for 30 seconds or as long as comfortable, while breathing deeply. Breathe out and bring your chin close to your chest. Relax your buttocks and arch the back as much as comfortably possible. Hold for some time and repeat the posture for 3 more times.

Benefits:

The Cat pose is essential in opening up the chakras and relieving tension from the neck, thus regulating body temperature. Additionally, it also readily helps in releasing endorphins, which induces a feeling of relaxation within the mind and body.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

Lie flat on your stomach and place your head on the ground. Keep both your hands on either side of your shoulders. Slowly, put pressure on your palms and lift your body up from the torso while stretching your back and belly muscles. Straighten out your arms and keep your shoulder blades pressed against your back. Fix gaze at a point on the ceiling and hold this posture for about 15-30 seconds and exhale as you return to the starting position.

Benefits:

The cobra pose not only improves mental calmness but also strengthens the mind and helps stretch out the chest and lungs. Not only does it enhance blood circulation and reduce fatigue but also elevate the mood and ease the symptoms of asthma.

Baddha Konasana (Butterfly Pose)

Sit straight on the floor. While breathing out, fold your legs close to your body so that the soles of both your feet touch each other face to face. Let your knees drop to the sides. Hold the thumb of your foot and ensure that the foot soles remain touched to each other and always pressed to the ground. Once you are comfortable in the pose, ensure that the torso is stretched through the top of the sternum, and the shoulder blades are also firmly pressed to the back. Now breathe in and out normally. Hold this for 1 minute, take 30 secs break and repeat 5 times.

Benefits:

This asana is extremely beneficial for opening various obstructions within the body allowing a full range of movements and creating a channel for the free passage of various fluids within the body. It is also one of the best poses for relieving stress and tension and removing fatigue from long hours of physical activity.

Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

Lie down on your back and close your eyes. Relax your body and mind. And think happy peaceful thoughts. Take your time while you do this. Breathe normally and do not hold your breath. After some time, stand up.

Benefits:

The Corpse Pose not only marks the end of the yoga session but also cools the body and calms the mind. The deep breathing during this posture increases oxygen to your brain, improves concentration, patience and boosts overall mental well-being. Be it stress, fatigue, depression, or tension all disappear with the practice of Shavasana.