Yoga translates to healthy body and mind. Many ‘asanas’ of yoga have proved to add quality years to life without taking on chemically formulated drugs. However, people have misconceptions about performing various asanas or the time of a day when they can actually perform it.
Let’s see what a yoga expert Cyndi Lee has to say when someone asked about particular asanas to be practiced during any certain season or at a particular time of a day.
Cyndi Lee’s response:
Your connection with the sun and moon as well as your personal rhythm in the 24-hours time, various elements of the changing seasons, heat and cold are factors that indeed propel you to decide which asanas to practice when. Some people kick start their day enthusiastically practicing yoga, while others won’t even speak about it at least an hour after they leave the bed. Some like the chills of winters and outdoor activities, whereas others hibernate when sun is weak and then come out with full energy as soon as the weather changes. A crucial part of yoga asanas is to know yourself, so it makes sense to listen to your inner self about how to practice according to the season or day’s time.
In beginning, it is good to know about which poses are calming and which are energising. For instance, backbends are stimulating and not suggested at the sleep’s time. On the other hand, forward bends are calming and soothe when you feel overly excited. Sun Salutations produce heat and lead to flowing movement linked to breath. Standing poses are great for boosting stamina, strength and a sense of grounding as the feet remain grounded. Concentration cultivates with balancing poses and twisting detoxifies the body while reliving tension in the back, neck and head. Inversion asanas that require us to turn upside down, indeed changes our view of the world and denote the impermanent nature of the world around us.
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Yoga for Beginners
Morning Yoga Asanas
Talking in general, yoga poses are recommended to perform in the morning or early evening. Morning sessions should be active and consist of full practice. The session should end with Savasana (Corpse Pose), irrespective of when you practice.
Afternoon Yoga Asanas
In the afternoon, you may choose to do completely different type of asanas. A series of seated forward bends like Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee Forward Bend), Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend), Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose), or Upavistha Konasana (Seated Wide Angle Pose) would make a complete practice. Follow the practices with a small backbend known as Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose). You can also perform simple twists to neutralise the spine, also called Ardha Matseyandrasana or Reclining Twist or Half Lord of the Fishes Pose. An inversion may also make a great asana.
Seasonal Yoga Asanas
Summers
Changing seasons cause us to practice differently. If you reside in a place that is intolerably hot in summers, then it good not to exceed your limits. If the temperature reaches too high, be mindful of the speed by which you practice. Also, you may try with yoga poses how to push your edges and reduce your efforts to help keep the heat of your body balanced.
Combining practices makes sense during summers. You can start with a seated medication followed by a soothing pranayama and finally Sun Salutation series without overexerting. Next, supported restorative backbends are good. It requires lying on your back while placing a rolled up blanket beneath your shoulder blades. Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) or Viparita Karani (Legs up the Wall Pose) makes good inversion. Both the practices are a lot more soothing than headstand or Salamba Sirsasana. Once done with the practices, clean the face, hands, and feet with a cloth soaked in cool lavender water before resting to Savasana.
Autumns
Autumns arrive and you have schools or offices open, Thanksgiving and homecoming parties. Mild temperature and crisp air make ambience for big energizing movements like Urdhva Dhanurasana (Backbend).
Winters
The contemplating winters makes you to choose forward bends, which are restorative and calming. If you find the weather to be depressive then work on the backbends and chest opener asanas like Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana (One Legged King Pigeon Pose), Dhanurasana (Bow Pose), and Ustrasana (Camel Pose). Hand balances like Astavakrasana (Eight-Angle Pose), Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand), and Bakasana (Crane Pose) are also great, but necessitate active energy and open mind.
During winters, even when your room is warm, you need to spend enough time and energy warming up the muscles. Performing Sun Salutations before taking on to jumpbacks is good, and then take all other asanas mindfully and slowly. Develop interest around what your body is feeling in this season. Rather than thinking stiffness, focus on asanas to create freedom in joints.
Spring
Spring is great for Sun Salutationas the day grows longer. The practice of paying salutes to sun gives you a wonderful feeling and develops a bond between you two. It is a time of new beginning, so you can also try to incorporate new asana in your practice.
Finally, work on your own experience with the seasons and whether you would like to take on the energy that the season has brought along, or counteract that energy with an opposing bend of mind.
While doing so, bear in mind that changing the practices too frequently will not develop a sense of grounding under the influence of external transformation. It is always valuable to maintain a similar mantra to your practice irrespective of the season or time of the year. The focus may deviate, staying by the same general plan calls for a powerful technique to cross the edge. Creating rituals within your daily unchanging practice is also helpful. Daily sitting or walking meditation is great. Start by enchanting OM or practicing Sun Salutation.