Summer has been hot! Well, sweltering actually. And doing yoga or walking during the day, has sometimes felt like hard work.

Aside from making sure that one drinks enough fluids to stay hydrated while you’re sweating, practicing this breathing technique really helps to cool and hydrate the body. Sitali Breath is a part of Pranayama, the yogic practice of breath and life force regulation. It’s so simple and easy to do, both on or off the mat.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out. 

Let’s give it a quick try together and feel how your body responds.

• Find a comfortable position, ideally seated with your spine in an upright position. 
• Gently close your eyes and take a few conscious breaths.
• Roll your tongue into a taco by curling the sides up, then stick it out. 
• Now breathe in like you’re sucking on a straw, allowing the air to flow over the tongue.
• Focus on the cooling sensation of the air as it travels down to your lungs and abdomen.
• Retract your tongue, close your mouth and breathe out through your nose.
• And do it again and again for a few minutes.

If you can’t roll your tongue, and genetically some of us just can’t, put the tip of your tongue behind your upper teeth and roll it while gently pressing it outwards, then breathe in from the sides and over the tongue.

Another option is Sitkari Breath, where you gently bring your upper and lower teeth together and hiss the air in through the gaps between your teeth and open lips, then over your tongue.

I use Sitali breathing on and off my mat, whilst out hiking in hot weather or whenever I simply wish to cool off quickly.

It’s my hot weather lifesaver.

Maybe it’ll become yours as well.

Did you try it? What did you notice? How does your body feel now? I’d love to hear about your experience and chat.

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with love and breath, Delicia xxx

(Please note these tips are not meant to treat or diagnose, they are purely suggestions shared from my own experiences in order to support you in your own healing. If you need medical attention, please don’t hesitate to seek professional help.)