Are you irritated by the summer heat? Flushed with anger? Plagued by hot flashes? Long ago, the yogis discovered a cooling pranayama practice that can soothe you in the time it takes to drink a glass of water.
Deep in the Himalayas, ancient sages observed and imitated the world around them in the noble attempt to master body, breath, and mind. They noticed the curve of a bird’s lower beak, a new green leaf uncurling, and the hiss of a cobra—and emulated those shapes and sounds in a practice called sitali (the cooling breath). In this pranayama, the inhalation is moistened as it passes through the curl of the tongue (alternately described as a bird’s beak and an uncurling leaf), so that you are “drinking” water-saturated air
Yogis, long ago, discovered that Sitali Pranayama (cooling breath) was a great way to soothe, relax and cool body and mind.
Sitali and Sitkari pranayama are terrific breaths for cooling the body and mind.
ANJANEYASANA-CRESCENT POSE-HALF MOON POSE
This pose energises the body and strengthens the muscles of the legs, waist, shoulders and chest.
Start in Downward Facing Dog Pose. Exhale and take your right foot forwards. Bend lower to make the right knees align with the right foot.The left lower leg including the left knee can be on the floor giving support. nhale slowly and raise your torso up. At the same time, raise both your hands up above the head. The palms can touch each other in the raised position.Tilt your head slightly backwards and look up.
Hold for 30”.
Varvara Solomonidou,Wellness Specialist, Personal Trainer, Seminar & Conference Lecturer, Pilates Master Trainer “AthensTrainers® Ultimate Pilates System®”, Member of Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), Member of European Lifestyle Medicine Organization (ELMO), DNAFit® Certified Trainer, General Manager & Owner of AthensTrainers®
PHOTOS: FOTIS FOTOPOULOS
MODEL: KONSTANTINA BAKARA, YOGA INSTRUCTOR, ATHENSTRAINERS® ASSOCIATE
SOURCE: BODY MAGAZINE, ISSUE 51