As we move into the warmer summer months, and our climate becomes hotter and drier – it’s never been more important to ‘stay cool’ and keep our body and brain cool and moisturised…

Iyengar yoga is the perfect tool for dealing with such trying conditions as it aims to create more balance in the body and mind, and through clever sequencing has a profound heating and/ or cooling affect.

Highly trained and experienced, Iyengar yoga teachers often tailor their class and the poses to suit a particular group and/ or individual’s needs on any given day.

For example, it may not be helpful for someone who is experiencing hot flashes or is suffering a high fever to be doing active or heating poses like backbends or twists. While these poses may not necessarily make their medical condition worse these poses aren’t going to be very supportive or soothing for a body and mind that is already undergoing some level of imbalance, fatigue or dis-ease.

Similarly, in Ayurvedic medicine if someone is said to have a Pitta (fire) dosha they are usually prescribed foods, products and activities that are designed to balance and cool them. And if you’ve eaten at an Indian restaurant you will have received a little yoghurt to cleanse the palate and help balance out your spicy food. Same idea really!

So, what are some cooling yoga poses for when the temperatures are soaring – whether it’s inside or outside your body? Here’s four types of poses to try:

·      Forward bends - especially the seated ones - are considered to be both cooling and calming. Poses like Janu Sirsasana and Paschimottanasana are often done towards the end of class – to help prepare for Savasana. The good news is that supported forward bends, are even more cooling - so go ahead and grab those props to make each pose as effortless as possible.

·      Shoulder stand – is cooling, quietening and calming for body and the mind. While it’s acceptable to practice Sarvangasana on its own, it’s not recommended to do Sirsasana (headstand) alone. Headstand is a heating pose that requires the balancing and cooling effect of the shoulder stand afterwards. So, if you’re feeling overheated and find headstand a challenge, you can leave it out of the practice.

·      Savasana – by staying low to the ground where it’s the coolest, corpse pose is the ultimate cooling pose and the finale for most yoga classes. Taking the arms and legs out wider on warmer days is also helpful.

·      Reclined poses – in Supta Baddha Konasana, Supta Virasana and even Supta Padangustasana we are also laying on the ground or close to the ground, supported on props. With the body resting and the front body open and spacious air can flow easily.

Poses to avoid for their heating qualities include standing poses, back bends, inversions, arm balances and active twists. However, if done with support, some inversions can become cooling poses. Halasana supported on a box, Setu Bandha on a bolster or block, Viparita Karani with the legs up the wall and even Sirsasana hanging in the ropes can all provide a cooling experience while still benefitting from the inversion.

Always seek the guidance of a certified Iyengar yoga teacher before trying any yoga pose for the first time, and always your teacher know if you have a new or ongoing medical issue, ailment or illness. Your class can be adapted to support, manage and cope with a wide range of ailments and situations happening within the body or mind, and externally in our environment…

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