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Seasonal yoga practice helps savor the scents, sounds, and spirit of every time of the year. During the summer months, the sun burns brightly, inviting you to claim your full power. It marks the time of year for play and relaxation. Celebrate sunny blessings and carefree days with these summer inspired yoga poses.
Firefly -Tittibhasana
The fireflies come out in late spring and early summer, filling the fields with their magical, mystical lights. Not for beginners, the firefly pose will test the strength and balance of your upper body and core, according to the teaching website Tummee.
Begin in a yogi squat position with your feet slightly apart. Slide your arms under your legs with your palms flat on your mat. Lift your feet off the floor, straightening your legs out to the sides while balancing on your hands. Engage your core and keep your gaze forward. Hold for 15-30 seconds. You can also modify the pose by supporting yourself with a block at the base of your spine.
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Mermaid - Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
When the summer temperatures heat up, spending time in water helps cool off and balance the fiery energy of the sun. This stimulating yoga pose taps into the element of water by embodying the mythical sea-dwelling mermaid. According to Yogapedia, the mermaid pose rejuvenates the spine and opens the hips and chest.
Begin in a pigeon pose with one leg bent in front and the other extended behind. Bend your back knee, reaching your foot towards your head. Grasp your foot with both hands, lifting your chest. Engage your core and keep your gaze forward. Hold for 20-30 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side.
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Thunderbolt - Vajrasana
Hot, humid weather during the summertime creates the perfect conditions for a surprise thunderstorm. Traditionally, thunder represented the voice of the gods, relaying divine messages from the heavens. Allow the thunderbolt pose to help you connect to the sacred within. According to a blog on Everyday Yoga, practicing the thunderbolt pose regularly brings peace and stillness to all areas of your life.
Begin the thunderbolt pose by kneeling with your knees together. Sit back on your heels, keeping your back straight and hands on your thighs. Engage your core and relax your shoulders. Hold the pose for several minutes.
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Plow - Halasana
The late summer months mark the beginning of the harvest season. Take the opportunity to appreciate the seeds planted earlier in the year that have come to fruition. It’s time to reap the harvest of rewards and appreciate the blessings in your life. And what better way to do this than embodying the plow, the tool used to loosen the soil before sowing seeds? You’ll calm your spirit while stretching the spine, shoulders and back of the legs, according to Ekhart Yoga.
To enter the plow pose, start by lying on your back. Lift your legs over your head until your toes touch the floor behind you. Keep your legs straight and your breath steady. Engage your core and hold the pose for 30 seconds to a minute. Release slowly, rolling down vertebrae by vertebrae.
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Child’s Pose - Balasana
Hot summer days call for taking it easy. So, give yourself a moment to breathe in this restorative pose. The child’s pose expresses the carefree nature of summer while giving yourself a chance to slow down. According to verywell fit, it also offers a gentle full-body stretch for the shoulders, back, hips, thighs, and neck.
To enter the child’s pose, begin on your knees. Sit back on your heels, and extend your arms forward. Rest your forehead on the mat. Breathe deeply, feeling the stretch in your spine. You can also use props like a cushion under your chest for added support.
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