Last weekend was Midsummer, the longest day of the year. This traditional and time-honoured feast, also named summer solstice or litha, focuses on celebrating the Sun in all its glory. The winter is long gone, blooms are abundantly present and the world feels warm and light. We spend long hours in the shade of a large oak tree, wearing feather light clothes to protect us from sunburn whilst sipping on watermelon coolers. We have, totally synced with the warming of the earth, once again become highly social, outgoing and active. The richest greenest crops are overtaking our vistas. Trees are heavy-laden with stone fruits of various kinds. Opulence, plentitude and seasonal wealth are upon us. Our senses are constantly activated by tastes, talks and everyday scenes of busy. The summer invites us to balance this outward focus with internal glances, smouldering hot days with cooling movement and a multi-tasking brain with mindful relaxation. There’s health in balance and by adjusting your yoga practice you can support yourself throughout this peak season. You might slow down your pace, introduce yin poses, cooling breath work and meditation to accommodate your current needs. Some poses might not support you. Others might feel more appropriate. Below you’ll find my top 3 poses for summer. Poses that will help you obtain that much needed ‘keep cool and calm’ equilibrium and can be practiced as they are. Another option is to use them to conclude the yoga for summer class I have taped for you. In this 8-minute class I will guide you through my version of a moon salutation. This sequence is like a fresh water wave breaking slowly and gently upon every single cell in your body, making you feel cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce. It basically keeps you fluid, connected and collected when the Sun is at its highest. Happy abundant summer all!

Xoxo kyra.

MY TOPS 3 POSES

Shoulder stand

Benefits:

Calms nerves, diminishes anxiety, cools down anger, frustration and irritability. Helps sleep and digestion. Soothes headaches,

Caution:

Do not practice this pose during the first three days of your period. Be careful practicing this pose when you have a headache, experience high or low blood pressure or eye dis-ease. Beginners at yoga, skip this pose and consult your yoga teacher when pregnant. Skip this pose when you are suffering from diarrhea or have seriously injured you neck or back.

Instructions:

Lie on your back with your arms alongside your torso. Bend the knees and place the soles of your feet on the floor, close to your sitting bones. Slowing lift your knees towards your face and start to lift the feet up. While doing this bend the elbows and place your hands towards the shoulder blades, to support the back. Keep the elbows drawn in and walk the hands closer and closer to your upper back. The elbows should maintain being shoulder width. Now slowly and with care start to raise your feet all the way up so your legs are stretched out and long. Extend your tailbone to your heels and keep shoulders, hips and heels in one line. Lenghten the insides of your legs. Press upper arms into the floor, relax throat and mouth and breath deep. Stay here as long as feels comfortable then slowly come out by bending your knees and bringing the legs down towards your torso. Place the soles of your feet on the floor while keeping the back of the head grounded. Stay here for a few breath before changing posture.

Forward bend

Benefits:

Calms the mind, relieves stress and relaxes when business prevails. Helps with symptoms of menopause or menstrual discomfort. Increases fertility and helps sleep. Provides clarity.

Caution:

Skip this pose when you have a (serious) back injury.

Instructions:

Sit down on the floor. You may choose to sit, with your sit bones, on a folded blanket. Stretch you legs out, relax your leg muscles and let your toes turn out naturally. The legs do not have to be close together, it is perfectly okay to have them a bit apart. Now slowly let your torso and head fold forward. Let your back round and your head become heavy. Place your arms alongside your legs and let them soften and relax. Focus on your breathing and let your muscles become softer and softer with every out-breath. Stay here for a few minutes or as long as feels comfortable. Slowly come out by rolling up. Lie on your back for a few deep breaths before moving to the next pose.

Legs up the (Palm) Tree

Benefits:

Helps with varicose veins and PMS. Lessens problems with the urinary tract and respiratory system. Balances bloodpressure. Cools flustered minds, headaches and migraines. Restores and brings balance. Relieves heavy or tired legs and mild backache.

Caution:

Practice this pose only under supervision of a yoga teacher if you experience serious eye, neck or back problems.

Instructions:

Move close to your tree, or wall and place the side of your right buttock against it. Swing your legs up the tree, or wall, whilst gently relaxing your head and shoulders down on the mat. You will have made a 90 degree turn to do so. Your sit bones don’t have to be touching the tree or wall, instead find a position that’s relaxing to you. Let you toes turn outward and create a bit of space between your legs so your hips can relax and soften. Place your arms alongside your body yet slightly away from it so your shoulders are able to relax and soften down. Prevent your head from dropping back by lifting your sternum (breastbone) towards your chin. Stay here as long as it feels comfortable, up to 15 minutes. Slowly come out by bending your knees, letting them fall to the side. Stay here in fetal pose for a few breaths then rise up or come and enjoy your final resting pose, savasana.