Quick tips for practicing Yoga in winters

During winters, we don’t like waking up early, instead, we like staying inside the blanket with a hot cup of tea watching our favourite channels throughout the day. The long nights and cold breeze make it almost impossible for us to wake up early morning and practice Yoga. So, we kind of, skip any exercises during this time. But that’s ok. Throughout the year we are on our toes working, exercising and fulfilling our duties. This is one season, when we like to live for ourselves. So, instead of pushing yourself for getting up and exercising, use your laziness wisely and in such a way that it gives you a lot of energy for the rest of the year.

Sleep a lot

Sleep as much as you want. Don’t stress yourself, don’t tell yourself all the time that you need to get up from bed and do your daily chorus. Although this is not for people who go for work or, are students, but as soon as you come back home, and if you long for the bed the entire day, slip inside your blanket. This is one season, when you can rest your body fully.

Have warm bath

There are lot of people who skip their bath during winters. But remember, during winters it becomes more important to take a bath daily. This helps your body in adjusting itself with the outside temperature and you feel less cold. You also get a good sleep and rest. Have a bath with warm water with your favourite bathing solution. You will feel like heaven and very relaxed.

Add such pranayama which induces heat

There are many breathing exercises which you can do even when you are on the bed. Like –

Anulom-Vilom – In Anulom-Vilom, sit in Sukhasana, with your right ring finger close your left nostril, breathe from the right, close the right nostril with your right thumb and slowly exhale from the left. Then again, inhale from the left nostril, close it with your right ring finger and slowly exhale from the right nostril. This is a continuous process. Repeat it for at least 10-15 minutes.

Kapalbhati – In kapalbhati, with the help of your belly muscles, push the air from your lungs out from the nose. Read more about kapalbhati and other exercises in my previous post here: http://experiencingseconds.blogspot.in/2016/01/say-bye-to-cold-in-this-winter.html. Repeat it for about 5-10 minutes. It improves the health of your lungs and fills you with lot of energy.

Ujjayi Pranayama – While doing ujjayi pranayama, contract your throat a little and breathe from your nose to fill the lungs with air. Stay in this position till 10 count then release the air from your left nose. This gives you a lot of energy, warms up the body and calms the mind.

Enjoy this season with these little tips and a cup of hot green tea J