- By Bornika Das
- Sat, 24 May 2025 03:47 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Yoga To Cool The Body: As the summer heat is intensifying with passing days, the bodies struggle to stay cool and balanced. High temperature and humidity can cause fatigue, irritability, dehydration and a general feeling of discomfort. Although it is essential to stay hydrated and eat light foods, practising 10-minute yoga asanas can help to cool down the body naturally in the summer season. Yoga is an ancient practice that harmonises the body, mind and breath and offers natural ways to regulate internal body temperature and beat the heat from within. While most people do yoga for flexibility and to release stress, certain yoga poses and breathing techniques can create a cooling effect on the body. These yoga asanas help manage heat-related fatigue, reduce internal heat and boost overall well-being in the hotter months.
Why Does The Body Overheat?
According to Ayurveda, excess heat or “Pitha” dosha in the body can lead to irritability, skin rashes, acidity and fatigue. This imbalance is especially increased during the summer season and when practising workouts. However, practising yoga asanas for 10 minutes helps cool and soothe the body and the mind. These asanas activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which encourages deep breathing, thus reducing internal heat. Incorporating these 10-minute yoga asanas in the daily routine can help people stay refreshed, relaxed and energised throughout the summer season. Here are the yoga poses you can perform in 10 minutes to stay cool naturally in summer.
Yoga Poses To Cool Body Naturally
Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose)
This restorative pose opens up the hips and chest and encourages deep relaxation. It helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, thus helping to lower the heart rate and cool the body. Lie on your back and bring the soles of your feet together. Let your knees fall apart. Use cushions under your knees for support and breathe deeply.
Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose)
Often known as the "chill-out pose," this yoga asana helps enhance blood circulation, calms the nervous system and reduces body heat. Lie on your back and lift your legs up against a wall. Relax your arms by your side and breathe slowly for 10 minutes.
Balasana (Child’s Pose)
This is a gentle resting pose that relaxes the back, shoulders, and neck. This asana slows the breath and soothes the body’s internal systems. To do this yoga pose, kneel down, sit back on your heels, bend forward and rest your forehead on the mat. Stretch your arms out or let them rest by your sides.
Cooling Pranayama (Breathing Techniques)
Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath)
This breathing technique involves inhaling through a rolled tongue and exhaling through the nose. It effectively helps in lowering body temperature and calms the mind. To do this, roll your tongue into a tube (or use the teeth for Sheetkari if you can’t roll the tongue), inhale through it, and exhale through the nose. Repeat 5–10 rounds.
Chandra Bhedana (Left Nostril Breathing)
The Chandra in the name of the asana translates to ‘moon’ in Sanskrit, symbolising coolness. This breathing technique involves inhaling through the left nostril and exhaling through the right, thus activating cooling energy in the body.
When To Practice Cooling Yoga?
It is advisable to practice cooling yoga in early morning or late evening that is, ideally before 8 AM or after 6 PM, when the temperature is relatively lower. Practice yoga asanas in a well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight, further enhances the calming effect.