It is the height of the summer and we can look forward to another couple months of hot weather. Finding peace and comfort is often difficult since the summer months can be incredibly busy and we find ourselves running around without a moment to breathe. Instead of complaining or struggling in the heat, take a few minutes to practice some yogic breath, or Pranayama techniques, to cool and calm the mind and the body.
Pranayama is the fourth limb of yoga in Patanjali's Sutras. “Prana is the life force or energy that exists everywhere and flows through you. Pranayama is the measuring, control, and directing of the breath in order to purify and remove distractions from the mind, making it easier to concentrate and meditate. It also restores and maintains health.”*
Challenge:
Use the Pranayama practice called Sitali to cool and calm the mind and the body. Practice the Sitali breath for 5 minutes, then sit in stillness for a few minutes without judgment or opinion, and observe the shift in the body and mind.
Sitali Breathing:
1. Curl up the sides of your tongue and stick the tip outside your lips. Keep the lips as relaxed as possible.
2. Inhale slowly through the mouth, feeling the air cool as it passes through the tongue. If your mouth becomes dry, be patient and slow the inhale down.
3. Exhale slowly through both nostrils. Close the mouth, the tip of your tongue softly against the top inside roof of your mouth. As the air exits your nose, feel the heat exiting too.
Links:
*http://www.yogafreely.com/ashtanga/the-fourth-limb-of-yoga/
http://www.webindia123.com/yoga/shitali.htm
http://www.yogahmmm.com/articles/cooling_breath.html
Music Inspiration (all on Spotify):
Grandmothersphere by Love Bomb
Skin & Bone by Stu Larson
Hotel by The Antlers
Pranayama is the fourth limb of yoga in Patanjali's Sutras. “Prana is the life force or energy that exists everywhere and flows through you. Pranayama is the measuring, control, and directing of the breath in order to purify and remove distractions from the mind, making it easier to concentrate and meditate. It also restores and maintains health.”*
Challenge:
Use the Pranayama practice called Sitali to cool and calm the mind and the body. Practice the Sitali breath for 5 minutes, then sit in stillness for a few minutes without judgment or opinion, and observe the shift in the body and mind.
Sitali Breathing:
1. Curl up the sides of your tongue and stick the tip outside your lips. Keep the lips as relaxed as possible.
2. Inhale slowly through the mouth, feeling the air cool as it passes through the tongue. If your mouth becomes dry, be patient and slow the inhale down.
3. Exhale slowly through both nostrils. Close the mouth, the tip of your tongue softly against the top inside roof of your mouth. As the air exits your nose, feel the heat exiting too.
Links:
*http://www.yogafreely.com/ashtanga/the-fourth-limb-of-yoga/
http://www.webindia123.com/yoga/shitali.htm
http://www.yogahmmm.com/articles/cooling_breath.html
Music Inspiration (all on Spotify):
Grandmothersphere by Love Bomb
Skin & Bone by Stu Larson
Hotel by The Antlers