How to Stay Cool

Step 1: find air conditioning

Step 2: stay in air conditioning

Obviously this is joking; I do understand that there are many people and areas that don’t have access to air conditioning. When I was growing up in Texas, we only had the “swamp cooler” on for a few hours a day, and only in the hottest part of summer.

However, when our AC went down 2 weeks ago - about 18 hours - I was nearly panicked. Fortunately, we got a service person out quickly, and it was only a 20 minute repair. We also had my mom nearby to leave Lulu, and spend time to cool off.

South Florida is known for its heat and humidity, but now so much of the world is going through it too. I’ve noticed often that when heat increases, people are often more irritable, and tempers can flare. Here’s an NPR Article with 12 minute audio with tips on managing in summer.

As August begins, I am re-committing to teaching my summer classes with a slower pace, giving regular water breaks, and allowing more time for relaxation and stillness in Savasana.

We may also practice a cooling breath, called Sitali Pranayama (video here). Give it a try! If you find that curling your tongue doesn’t work for you, simply purse your lips as if you were drinking air through a straw. Sip in air through your lips, pause to feel the coolness, then close the lips and exhale through the nose.

If you want to practice yoga with me, I provide many options, including group classes or 1-on-1 sessions via Zoom or in-person, and video recordings.

Be Well,

Eva