With the sun shining more brightly and the haze clearing up, winter is bidding adieu for this year. Soon it will be time to put away the heavy quilts and fleece jackets and shake off the winter laze. Just as snakes shed skin and bears wake up from their hibernating slumber this time of the year to welcome the warmer days, we need to gear up too. The body is a slave of habits and with the changing seasons, habits need to be set afresh, ridding the body of the laze of the winter times. It’s time to change your daily yoga routine to, switching to asanas which are more restorative and less dynamic.

Here is a list of yoga postures to take to, with a slower and more focused practice when the hot days are about to strike:

 Anahatasana or Standing-Heart Open Pose

This is a detail from the complete Moon Salutation sequence of yoga. This detail of the sequence is selected particularly to instill thoroughness in movement, the pace set slow for maximizing the sensations that come on the way to climax.

Start this asana in the Mountain Pose or Tadasana and carefully breathe in with your arms arched overhead. Give way to a long exhalation and bring down the arms slowly to your sacrum. Synchronized with this breathing and arm movement, you must apply pressure, widening your chest and thus feel your heart opening. At the same time, tilt back your head as though your throat is being opened up for filling in more air through this channel. Deep breathing is maintained for 3-5 minutes in this posture.

Uttanasana or Standing Lunar Forward Bend

Another detail of the lunar sequence is included in this list for its great relaxing effect. In the uttanasana or forward bend, the movements are kept very simple. In a slow pace, with a deep hip bend, the torso must swing down and lungful of air must be exhaled through this whole time. Your hands must touch the deeply rooted feet set on the floor. Be aware of the neck which has a tendency to flex with pressure, but corrective yoga body alignment recommends a firm neck.

Standing on the open terrace, facing the sunset and a breeze announcing the coming of summer is ideal for performing this posture. Hang down for as many breaths as possible to maximize the relaxing effect of this asana.

Sahaja Ardha Malasana or Flowing Half Squat

This too is a slow forward bending posture, ensure thorough blood flow. To have the best effects, synchronize your inhalation with the deep bending of your right knee. With this movement, also release your right forearm, placing it on the mat parallel to your head. Ideally, the head must make contact with the ground when fully bent. During this process, also extend your left leg at length behind you. Mindfully, keep your spine stretched and taut in this bending pose.

Reverse the whole sequence with your left arm and leg.

Breath awareness is most vital in these yoga postures. Try to connect your inhale and exhale pattern with the stretching and relaxing of your arms and legs to enjoy the soothing touch much required for the exasperating days of summer heat.

To know about these yoga poses in further detail, explore our Yoga Teacher Training In India.