Are yin yoga and summer compatible?
During the warm season of Summer, we tend to say “yes” to invitations more often and to have as much fun packed into the day as possible. Knowing this, practicing yin yoga during hot Summer days might seem counter intuitive. Is it really though?
Regardless of the time of year, yin yoga offers numerous benefits. Specifically tailored to the summertime, yin exerts positive influences on your physical, emotional, energetical and mental well-being.
Physical benefits
With longer days where the sun shines brightly, the key aspect when it comes to movement is that it’s of lower intensity to avoid overheating. This is where yin yoga comes in. By practicing slower movements and embracing inner stillness, you stimulate the deep connective tissues. It induces a sense of cooling and soothing as the muscles unwind and the body releases tension and heat.
Emotional lever
Practicing yin yoga during the summer can bring multiple emotional benefits. Summer activities and obligations can sometimes lead to increased stress levels. Yin yoga offers an opportunity to relax and release lease tensions held in the body, promoting a sense of emotional ease. The various poses and focus on breath awareness help to soothe the mind and alleviate anxiety.
Energetical layer
Summertime can be draining with its increased social interactions from sunrise to sunset. For that, yin yoga offers you a parenthesis to recharge your social battery through meditation and deep relaxation. Yin yoga works with the meridian lines, which are energetic pathways in the body according to traditional Chinese medicine. By holding poses and stimulating specific meridians, yin yoga helps to harmonize the flow of energy throughout the body, promoting overall balance and well-being.
Mental state
Imagine immersing yourself in gentle, nourishing poses that allow you to surrender into the present moment. To listen to your inner self rather than external prompts. By dedicating time to slow down, relax, and connect with yourself, you cultivate a sense of inner peace, self-compassion, and mental well-being.
Overall, there are no reasons why you should stop or switch your yin yoga practice during warmer days. It provides a sanctuary where you can nurture and support your well-being amidst the vibrancy and busyness of the season. I cannot wait to read how and where you practice. Enjoy your summer and I hope to see you in one of my classes!
Credit: Rahel Zuber (2023)
Yin Yoga Summer Series at Lululemon Zurich
The lululemon yin Summer series in 2023 was divided into five classes. Every second week, the series evolved to align with the changing energies of the season. Even though each class was built upon the other, it was up to the yogi*nis whether they wanted to attend them all. Or only participate to one practice. Got the FOMO? Sign up to my newsletter to be the first one informed about the next yoga series!
