Summer Yoga: Flowing with the Season

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Summer is a time of vibrant energy, longer days, and the sun’s warmth kissing our skin. As the season changes, so too should our yoga practice. Aligning your yoga practice with the energy of summer can help you feel more connected to nature and enhance your overall well-being. 

Outdoor Yoga: Connecting with Nature

One of the most beautiful aspects of summer is the opportunity to practice yoga outdoors. The natural world becomes a living, breathing studio, offering an array of sensory experiences to enhance your practice. Here are some benefits of outdoor yoga:

1. Connection with Nature: Practicing yoga in a natural setting allows you to connect with the earth, air, and sun. This connection can deepen your practice and enhance your sense of well-being.
2. Vitamin D: The sun is a natural source of vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and overall immunity. Practising yoga outdoors allows you to soak up some sun while you flow through your poses.
3. Fresh Air: Breathing in fresh, outdoor air can improve your lung capacity and oxygenate your body, leaving you feeling invigorated.
4. Stress Reduction: Nature has a calming effect on the mind. The sights and sounds of the outdoors can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting mental clarity and relaxation.

Sunny Morning Flows

Start your day by greeting the rising sun with a yoga sequence designed to awaken your body and energize your spirit. Here’s a simple 20-minute sequence to help you start your day with positivity:

• Mountain Pose: Begin standing, grounding your feet and reaching your arms overhead.
• Sun Salutation: Follow the link to my detailed instructions for sun salutation by clicking here. Repeat this flow 3-5 times to warm up your body.
• Warrior II: Step your right foot forward, bending your right knee at a 90-degree angle, arms extended parallel to the ground.
• Triangle Pose: Straighten your right leg, reaching your right hand towards the ground or a yoga block, extending your left arm towards the sky.
• Child’s Pose: Kneel on the floor, sitting back on your heels, and reach your arms forward, resting your forehead on the ground.
• Repeat on the left side: Warrior II, Triangle Pose, and Child’s Pose.
• Bridge Pose: Lie on your back, bend your knees, and lift your hips towards the sky.
• Savasana: End your practice by lying flat on your back in a relaxed, meditative pose.

Ten-Minute Yoga in Nature

You can find moments to practice yoga in nature, even when you’re out and about. Here’s a quick ten-minute sequence to do while enjoying the great outdoors:

1. Standing Forward Bend: Stand with feet hip-width apart and fold forward, letting your upper body hang loose. Bend your knees slightly if needed.
2. Tree Pose: Find a tree and use it as support for this balancing pose. Place one foot on the inner thigh of the opposite leg.
3. Seated Twist: Find a comfortable spot to sit and twist your torso to the right, then to the left, with your gaze following your twist.
4. Cobra Pose: Lie on your belly, place your hands under your shoulders, and gently lift your chest off the ground, looking forward.
5. Breathing Exercises: Take a moment to sit or lie down and focus on your breath. Inhale deeply, exhale slowly and appreciate the natural surroundings.

Summer is the perfect time to align your yoga practice with the season’s vibrant energy. Whether you practice outdoors, greet the sunrise with a morning flow, or take a few minutes to connect with nature, these yoga sequences and tips will help you flow harmoniously with the summer season. Embrace the warmth of the sun, the beauty of the outdoors, and the sense of balance that yoga brings to your life

For more information on the benefits of yoga, click here or for more information on meditation, click here. To find out about embracing change and growth on the mat, click here. If you want to increase the energy flow in the room while you practice yoga, add a golden triangle to the area. Finally, don’t forget to tag us in your photos at @surrender_to_happiness. We love to see how all our readers are getting on.

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