The Art of Slowing Down: Yoga and Meditation Techniques for a Balanced Summer

Culturally the energy of summer sweeps us into a whirlwind of outdoor gatherings, festivals, holidays, and other spontaneous seasonal activities. It’s important that we recognise the significance of why slowing down in summer is as important as filling up our social calendar.

Summer, known as Pitta season in Ayurveda, brings forth the dominant element of fire, and a little water. With the grounding element of earth more in the background, it becomes even more important to create space for relaxation, unwinding and recharging your batteries.

The Rush of Summer and the Need to Slow Down

It’s so easy to get caught up in the fast-paced nature of this go-with-the-flow season. From beach days to parties, neighbourhood festivities and long summer nights on the terrace, there’s always something enticing and fun-filled happening!

In summer, we are at our most ‘yang.’ Pitta, the ‘go-getting’ dosha. But, as you know, the heat can be exhausting and draining on your energy levels. The combination of the fiery and spontaneous energies of Pitta can turn up the temperature. Not only in your body but also your mind, leaving you prone to irritability and excessive anger. That’s why embracing the benefits of slowing down is crucial.

Embracing the Benefits of Slowing Down

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the activities and energy of the season, take the time to pause, connect back into yourself, and create space for rest. By giving yourself permission to unwind and recharge, you’ll be better equipped to fully enjoy the delights of summer while nurturing your well-being.

Here are three more reasons to slow down in the summer heat:

1.Supporting your Physical and Mental Well-being:

Slowing down in the summer heat helps you to maintain your balance and prevents excessive strain on your physical and mental health. Remember in the summer heat, our bodies can become more easily fatigued and overheated. Give your body and mind the opportunity to rest, recover, and rejuvenate and importantly conserve your energy!

2. Being Present:

Use these slower moments to enjoy simple pleasures that summer has to offer. Whether it’s being more attuned to the beauty of nature at this time of year. Or savouring all the taste and flavours of the delicious, seasonal foods. How good are the tomatoes right now! I love nothing more than sitting outside a café, watching the world go by. Slowing down allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the summer experience and enjoy each moment to the fullest.

3. Deeper Connections:

Summer is a time when we often gather with family and friends. By slowing down, we create space for meaningful connections and quality time with our loved ones. It allows us to truly be present and connect on a deeper level, engaging in heartfelt conversations, strengthening relationships, and creating precious memories.

One of the many things I love about living in Spain is how lunch starts early and goes well into the evening. It is a culture that values the time and space for gathering, for enjoying food and conversation.

Embrace a slower pace allows you to fully savour the season, recharge your energy, and find a sense of balance amidst the heat and busyness.

Mindfulness, Yoga, and Meditation as Tools for Slowing Down

Yoga, pranayama, and meditation are powerful tools that will support your journey to slowing down and finding your inner calm amidst the Yang energy of summer.  The delightful thing about Yoga lies in its adaptability. You can tailor your practice to suit your mood, time of day, and the season. With summer being the hottest time of the year, adjust your yoga practice, as you do with your diet, to align with the season is important.

Yoga postures (asana)

Asanas offer a means of relaxation, grounding, and mindful movement. Your practice doesn’t need to be dynamic. In fact, any yoga asana that you do during the summer heat should be practised to 75% of your capacity. Focus on asanas that nourish and soothe, cooling and grounding allowing you to tune in to the sensations of your body and embrace a slower pace.

Forward bends and spinal twists work very well to help balance the excess of pitta. Hold postures for longer periods of time, without strain, also helps to reduce excess pitta.

Be constantly aware of your breath to monitor the intensity of your practice. If you find you are overheating, slow down and rest in shavasana.

Pranayama (Breathwork)

Incorporate practices that are calming and cooling. Avoid practices like Khapalabati (Fire Breathing) or Bhastrika (Bellows Breath), which are vitalising practices, as they aggravate Pitta. The best pranayama for this time of year are Nadi Shodhana (Alternative Nostril Breathing) and Sheetali (Cooling Breath). Here, I’ve included a link to a video of the practice.

Being mindful by taking a few moments to stop, pause and connect in with your breath offers you a valuable moment to check in on yourself and how you are feeling, physically mentally and emotionally. This mindfulness practice cultivates awareness of the present moment and provides you with a valuable moment of calm and relaxation amidst the busyness of summer.

Satyananda Yoga Nidra.

I’m saving the best until last! This profound practice comes into its own during the summer months, providing an avenue for deep rest and rejuvenation. During the practice, your body and mind enter a state of conscious sleep while remaining aware. Here, your energy reserves are replenished, counteracting the fatigue from the heat.  The relaxation response induced through Yoga Nidra also cools the body down and brings a sense of peace and calmness to your body and mind.

Yoga Nidra is renowned for its ability to take you into a deep state of relaxation and manage the symptoms of stress. By practising Yoga Nidra, you can experience a reduction in mental and emotional strain caused by the heat, helping you feel more balanced and at ease. This inner balance contributes to a sense of overall well-being and resilience during the summer season.

Summertime offers a plethora of exciting opportunities and adventures, but it’s equally important to prioritise self-care and take breaks to recharge. By slowing down and carving out time for relaxation, you gift yourself the chance to find balance, rejuvenate, and return to all those fun summertime activities feeling energised, centred, and balanced.

We invite you to embrace the practices of mindfulness, yoga, pranayama, and Yoga Nidra and to create space for stillness amid the summer rush. Remember, the art of slowing down in summer allows you to fully enjoy the joys of the season while nurturing your well-being.