We all feel the heat on summer days, and it can leave us yogis wondering if we should practice yoga in the summer. People around the world practice yoga in heated rooms and outdoors in hot climates. But if you have ever felt that yoga seemed much harder in the hotter months, then you are not alone.
In this article we will answer the question:
Is yoga good to do in summer?
Plus, I will help you navigate how to go about doing yoga on very hot days.
Is Yoga Good To Do In The Summer?
In short, yes you can absolutely do yoga in the summer. And it is a good exercise to choose too. Below I will be discussing all the benefits of doing yoga when it’s hot and even how to practice it outside.
How To Practice Yoga Safely In the Summer
Here are my tips for practicing in the heat of summer.
- Try to practice in the morning or evening when the sun is not at its highest and temperatures are not at their highest either. These tips for starting a yoga morning routine might be helpful even if you aren’t a morning person!
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! We must take in more water than we typically do in the summer months. This is especially true you are being physically active and physically active outside.
- Try to keep your head above your knees. We practice many inverted postures. When you are super-hot, this can cause dizziness, give a feeling of being woozy, and could cause you to pass out if you come out of it too quickly.
- Slow your practice down. This can be hard if you like upbeat classes. But taking your time and being purposeful can be a lot of fun too. It will keep you safe from overdoing it in the heat.
- Be patient with yourself. Heat makes us feel thick and heavy. You may not be able to do the postures the same way as you do in a cooler climate.
- Don’t overstretch. Sometimes when we are very warm, we feel over flexible. Be careful to pay close attention to your body.
- Take extra breaks. Sit on your shins, take a sip of water, pause, and take inventory. Sometimes we need a few breaths and that is okay!
Daily Summer Yoga Poses For a Healthy Body
Now it’s time to review a perfect outdoor yoga sequence that is good to do in the hot summer months.
Seated Twist
Boat Pose
Low Lunge
Warrior II
Peaceful Warrior
Side angle
Goddess
Seated Side Stretch
Supine Twist
Savasana
Is It Good To Do Yoga Outdoors In The Summer?
Yoga can most definitely be practiced outdoors, and yoga’s historical roots brings us to the outdoors. Many yoga practitioners around the world and in the U.S. prefer to practice outdoors as nature gives us a beautiful backdrop of sounds, vibrance, and attunement with God.
Outdoor Summer Yoga Benefits
There are benefits to doing yoga outdoors, here’s a list of some of them.
- A sense of oneness with nature
- Natural sounds that are relaxing and meditative
- Warmth
- Less distraction by electronics or household chores
- Simplifying a practice that we sometimes overcomplicate
Outdoor Summer Yoga Classes
Outdoor yoga classes can be a lot of fun, and a great way to leave the florescent lighting of the office and get that vitamin D. It can also be super energizing to be outdoors and around nature. I have had some of my most moving classes outdoors where I was able to connect more deeply with myself spiritually.
If you are nervous about outdoor classes and the heat, I highly suggest early morning outdoor yoga classes before the humidity of the day and direct sunlight really kick up the heat.
Private Summer Yoga Sessions
Summer is great time to try private sessions either in person or virtually with an instructor! Private instruction can allow more safety since the yoga teacher’s full attention is on you. Your session can cater directly to your needs and up the practice or slow it down if you find yourself feeling dizzy or overheated.
Pitta Yoga During The Summer
Pitta is a dosha in Ayurvedic medicine which is considered by some scholars to be the oldest healing science in the world, according to the Chopra Center. In Ayurveda, there are three energies that everyone is made-up of, but each person has a different combination of the three.
Pitta dosha represents transformation and is usually aligned with heat and intensity. So, you may feel more pitta energy after a hot, summer yoga class.
What Are the Yoga Doshas?
Pitta: represents fire and people with a tendency toward a pitta are strong, intense, and can be easily irritated. They are also sharp minded, competitive, and hard workers.
Vata: represents coolness and people with a tendency toward vata are energetic, creative, and anxious. They are also spontaneous, physically active, and don’t love routines.
Kapha: represents earth and water and this gives them a natural tendency to be stable, loyal, and compassionate. They are also methodical, love routine, and need less stimulation than other energies.
Cooling Prayanyama or Cooling Yoga Breath for Pitta
Prayanyama means to regulate the breath through certain breathing techniques. It is a general focus of a yoga practice, no matter which type of yoga you are practicing.
We can also use our breath to cool ourselves from the inside out by breathing in a certain way and rhythm.
How To Do Cooling Breath or Sitali Pranayama
- Sitali Pranayama can be exercised with a rolled tongue or pursed lips making an “O” shape”. Either is sufficient.
- Rest your tongue on the back of your bottom teeth.
- Suck in air through the rounded lips and/or tongue like you are sipping through a straw with vigor.
- Then send the air back out the rounded mouth.
- Repeat over and over.
You can breathe quickly or slowly depending on what you feel would suit you best. I prefer a quicker breath when I am hot, especially when I am exercising or being physical.
What is great about Sitali Pranayama or cooling yoga breath is that you can do it anywhere. It doesn’t just have to be on a yoga mat!
Yoga IS good for you in the summer!
Here is one last thing to consider. Yoga doesn’t just look like physical exercise. The asana or physical yoga is only one of eight limbs of yoga. There are many other ways that you can practice yoga without having to be so physical during the hot summer months.
My suggestion is try other aspects of yoga that are great for your health and wellness! If you aren’t sure what those are, I am happy to help! Schedule a free call with me and I can help you learn how to create a wellness plan just right for you.
One great way to get started is with a simple and easy yoga challenge. All you have to do is fill in the form below for access to 10 days of 10 minute yoga videos.
Practicing yoga in the summer can be more physically draining and difficult, but you don’t have to give up your practice for months at time. Try making adjustment to ensure that you stay safe, and always listen in to your body!
