Yoga in Summer: 10 Poses to Keep you Refreshed

Summer is a time of boundless energy, longer days, and vibrant sunshine. Yet, with the warmth and activity of the season, it’s easy to feel overheated or drained. Yoga offers the perfect antidote, helping you stay cool, calm, and rejuvenated while embracing summer’s dynamic spirit. Its mindful movements and soothing breathwork help you maintain inner balance, even as the temperatures rise. Most importantly, practicing outdoor yoga in the summer, whether in a lush garden or by a serene lake, allows you to draw energy from the natural world while grounding yourself in its beauty. Also, the connection between mind, body, and earth during yoga is intensified under the open sky, making your practice even more powerful. The fresh air and natural light enhance the overall experience and rejuvenate your senses, making summer the perfect time to deepen your practice and connect with the environment around you.

Let’s look at some common yoga poses to energise your summer.

1. Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

This classic pose stretches the entire body while boosting circulation and promoting energy flow. The inversion helps cool the body by releasing tension in the spine, shoulders, and hamstrings. It’s a great way to kick-start your summer yoga practice, providing an energising, full-body stretch.

2. Child Pose (Balasana)

A soothing and restful pose that allows your body to relax and cool down. Child Pose gently stretches the hips, thighs, and lower back while promoting relaxation and mental calmness. It’s perfect for moments when you need to recharge during a hot summer day, offering a peaceful break with the support of the earth.

3. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

A gentle backbend that opens the chest and promotes deep, cooling breaths. Cobra Pose helps release heat from the body by expanding the lungs, providing both physical and mental refreshment. It also alleviates tension in the lower back and boosts energy levels during the warmer months.

4. Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani)

This restorative pose is perfect for cooling off after a hot day. It improves circulation by reversing the flow of blood back to the heart and reducing swelling in the legs. Legs Up the Wall provides a gentle stretch for the back and legs while deeply relaxing the nervous system, promoting calm and relaxation.

5. Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

Tree Pose is excellent for building balance and stability while cultivating a feeling of being grounded. It helps to stretch the thighs, groyne, and shoulders, and it provides a calm and centred feeling as you focus on your breath. During the summer, it’s a great pose for feeling rooted and connected to nature, especially when practiced outdoors.

6. Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)

This cooling stretch calms the mind and promotes flexibility in the hamstrings and lower back. As you fold forward, the body releases tension, and the cooling nature of the pose helps lower your energy levels, making it ideal for the warmer months. Seated Forward Fold also helps alleviate stress and improve digestion.

7. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)

Bridge Pose helps open the chest, shoulders, and hips while stretching the spine. It is known for stimulating the abdominal organs, aiding in digestion, and promoting relaxation. It’s perfect for releasing any tension built up in the body and is especially soothing when you feel overheated.

8. Extended Side Angle (Utthita Parsvakonasana)

This powerful pose stretches the sides of the body while also opening the hips and shoulders. Extended Side Angle promotes strength and flexibility, offering a gentle release of heat and tension in the body. It helps increase energy flow while simultaneously cooling and balancing the body.

9. Plank Pose (Phalakasana)

Although it may seem like an intense pose, plank helps build core strength, stability, and focus. It is excellent for supporting posture and ensuring that your body remains energised and strong through the summer months. Plank Pose also offers a burst of vitality, which is essential when you need a pick-me-up during the heat.

10. Cooling Breath (Sheetali Pranayama)

This breathing technique helps cool the body from the inside out. By inhaling through a rolled tongue (or pursed lips if rolling is difficult) and exhaling through the nose, you can effectively lower your body temperature, reduce stress, and calm the mind. It’s perfect for balancing the heat of summer while boosting your energy and focus.

With rising temperatures and sunny days, summer can bring both energy and challenge. Yoga provides a powerful tool to help you stay grounded, cool, and energised during these warmer months. By incorporating the cooling and restorative summer yoga practices mentioned above, you can counterbalance the effects of heat, improve circulation, and keep your body flexible and strong. As you flow through your poses, remember that yoga in summer isn’t just about physical fitness—it’s about honouring your body, cooling your spirit, and embracing the season’s vitality. So, roll out your mat, breathe deeply, and enjoy the many benefits of yoga during this vibrant time of year.