Benefits of Yoga Therapy: Cool as a Cucumber

Benefits of Yoga Therapy for Summer

Last week, as Reno area temperatures rose to the mid 90s, I unhappily turned on on our air conditioning for the first time since last September and sliced up a cucumber to munch on. Believe me, I am grateful we have A/C and it is a pure privilege that we do. But I was disappointed that the cooler spring temperatures didn't seem to be lingering into June as they have in previous years. It seems the summer solstice is rapidly approaching and the heat is setting in. At Temple Yoga Reno, where I teach general group yoga classes, the blinds are now drawn by midday and the heater is off for the season. Luckily, the Temple space has A/C and my office at Midtown Mindfulness (where I work privately with clients providing yoga therapy in Reno) stays nice and

cool.

Humans have survived for thousands of years in hot climates and seasons. It is only in the last bit of the 19th century and early 20th century that mechanical fans and air conditioning have been helping dispel the heat and dry our sweat. This luxury is still found mostly in first world nations and among populations that can afford it.

How does one keep cool without the A/C? There are a multitude of ways people can cool themselves: Shade, wind, water, hand fans, less clothing, lighter-colored clothing and so on. In India, the birthplace of the yoga tradition, it stays very hot for long periods of the year. This beautiful and wise yoga tradition has gifted us some ways to stay cool in our modern day world. See below for some of the benefits yoga therapy has to offer.

Benefit of Yoga Therapy #1

"Cooling Breath" Breath Techniques

"Sitali (shee-ta-li)" and "Sitkari (Sit-kar-ee)" are helpful pranayama techniques that provide not only a thermal cooling effect on your body but also a soothing and calming effect of your mental heat and irritability.

Using either sitali or sitkari technique, the tongue forms a valve to slow inhale and provide a cooling flow of breath. The cooling is due to evaporation of moisture along the tongue (imagine clay pots to store and cool water without refrigeration). This cooling breath technique is helpful in reducing thermal body heat.

For sitali, gently form an "O" with your mouth, extend your tongue out and roll your tongue lengthwise. The rolled tongue is supported by the "O" shaped mouth. Gently tip your head back slightly as you slowly inhale to draw air in along your rolled tongue. Close your mouth, allow your chin to lower a bit and exhale slowly and fully through your nose. Repeat for 8-12 breaths. Notice the cooling effect created.

If tongue rolling doesn't work for you, try sitkari which uses the tongue as a valve without rolling. Start by extending the tip of your tongue to the back of your top front teeth and then slowly breathe in through the mouth. Exhale steadily and fully out your nose. Repeat 8-12 breaths.

Benefit of Yoga Therapy #2

Balance Pitta Dosha

Now, back to those cucumbers and why they are helpful. As temperatures increase and the days are longer, the world is enlivened with all the frenetic energy of beings "doing" and enjoying the outside world. This energy is highly activating and stimulating during this season of bright light and the sharp intensity of life. Combined with environmental heat, this can lead to a pitta imbalance manifesting as increased anger, reactivity, irritation, and systemic inflammation. From an Ayurvedic perspective, the remedy is to soothe and pacify our systems to return to a balanced state. "Like increases like" and opposition balances.

To find balance, build your movement or exercise practice into the early morning hours while it is cooler. Spend time around the water element if you are able. Movement or yoga postures should be slow, calming, fluid-like movement to embody the element of water. Allow a respite of time for quiet and restful activities during the day and practice the above "cooling breath". Make it a priority to frequently eat lighter, smaller meals to keep your Agni (digestive fire) dispersing the internal heat. Intentionally add cool or cold foods that contain a high water content to help soothe and calm the effect of heat on our systems. Leave out the ice cubes as they disrupt your Agni.Peppermint or mint are good to add in to food and drinks as well for providing a refreshing and cooling effect. To further the equilibrium of your system, eat slightly oily foods or partake in Abhyanga (self massage) with an oil like coconut or neem oil to help alleviate the expansive dryness during these hotter months.

Interested in learning more benefits of yoga therapy?

Book a free consultation or Book a session with me at Canary Yoga Therapy online or in person at Midtown Mindfulness in Reno, NV.

Kira Gilmer, BSN, Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT, 500-Viniyoga, 500-RYT, RPYT, is located in Reno, NV. She is trained as a viniyoga therapist with Gary Kraftsow and the American Viniyoga Institute