Summer 2010
LUXE Cowgirl Yoga
Our newsletters are seasonal
Stay cool with yoga.
Summer's in full swing, and while that means lots of good things, it can also get a little too hot sometimes. Most of us love the chance to get outdoors more often to enjoy warmer temps and longer days, but too much heat and humidity can feel oppressive. Pushing yourself physically in these conditions can bring on mild discomfort at best, and heat-related illness at worst. So if you need a break from wiping the sweat out of your eyes, balance out the dog days of summer with a cooling yoga practice. Tap into your body's natural ability to cool itself down and restore energy that's been sapped by the heat with slow, gentle movements.
There's an Ayurvedic saying: like increases like and opposites balance. Many of us are drawn to a yoga practice that is heating and stimulating (think Power, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow). In these practices our movements are typically quick, our breath strong in order to build internal heat as we go. You might notice that it's a lot tougher to drag yourself to a hot, sweaty yoga class on a sweltering summer day; that makes perfect sense. A few tips for keeping your cool with a summertime yoga practice:
- If you want to continue a vigorous practice when it's hot outside, try to get to a morning class before the heat of the day hits full force. Choose a class that does not take place in a heated room. Think slow flow.
- Ask your yoga teacher about a cool-down sequence, to balance out sun salutations, backbends, and other poses that are heat builders. Good cool-down asanas include shoulderstand, plow, fish, and supine spinal twists.
- Chill out your mindset by cultivating non-competitiveness in your yoga practice. (Hint: non-competitive types flock to restorative yoga.)
- Surrender to poses, instead of struggling; this may mean modifying a pose to make it easier. You can challenge yourself in the same pose when it's not in the 90s outside.
- Establish a cooling breathing pattern by making your exhales longer than your inhales.
Feeling hot? Try this quick cooler:
FORWARD FOLD WITH OPTIONAL 'FOREHEAD FREEZE'
Forward bends are soothing for a frazzled, overheated nervous system.
- From a seated position, take your feet apart, about 85% of your full range. Make sure you are up on your sit bones, vs. having your tailbone tucked under with your back rounded; your upper body should be able to angle forward with a straight back.
- Flex your feet strongly so your toes point to the sky.
- Bring your hands in front, and slowly walk them forward until you reach your limit (your back will start to round). Place one or two yoga blocks (you can also stack books, and put a towel or pillow over them for cushioning) under your forehead for support.
- Stay here for 5-10 minutes. Keep your feet flexed to maintain alignment in the legs.
- Forehead freeze option: Put a cool gel pack that was chilled in the freezer on top of the block(s), so it is directly under your forehead, and chill.
Find more cooling yoga poses in my latest on the Athleta Chi, Chandra Krama: Summer Yoga.
Yoga & Horseback Riding Retreats for Women
For all levels of yoginis and equestrians
Long weekend retreat in Clyde Park, Montana
at the luxurious Double T River Ranch
September 16-19, 2010 (thursday-sunday)
Our summer Cowgirl Yoga retreats have been so popular, we decided to add a new one in September, one of the most gorgeous months to visit. Join us this fall for LUXE Cowgirl Yoga!
Imagine a long weekend of yoga and horses - a cowgirl yogini's dream come true. Explore how both can put you in touch with your potential and teach you a lot about yourself. We'll practice yoga, spend time with horses, and kick up our heels at our own private, luxury ranch. LUXE Cowgirl Yoga is like it sounds - think luxury, Cowgirl style! Yoga in a restored barn from the early 1900s. Bocce ball and bird-watching. Hot-tubbing and gourmet, healthy meals. And did we mention horses?
Special Newsletter discount:
get 10% off if you book by August 10, 2010
Reserve online now!
And if ranch camp is more your style...
we have a few spots left on our August 12-15 CY ranch camp!
Treat yourself and come out to Montana this fall for a LUXE Cowgirl Yoga adventure. Please visit my Cowgirl Yoga blog for Montana musings, healthy ideas and more. And let's keep connecting: follow me on Twitter for the Cowgirl Yoga daily update, and become a Big Sky Yoga Retreats fan on Facebook. Stay cool, and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Yeehaw & Namaste,
Margaret Burns Vap,
Head Cowgirl Yogini
Reading a book bareback on Ollie...I was being filmed for a documentary on horses & healing!
