How to Cool the Body with Yoga

Sitali, a pranayama also known as the Tongue Hissing, is a practice that helps you cool down the body either before or after practicing yoga--or anytime you feel the heat rising in your body.

Things You'll Need

• Yoga mat or chair

Instructions

Sitali

1. Sit tall either on a chair or cross-legged on a yoga mat. Visualize your sit bones rooted in the mat. Sit tall, extending your spine up. Place your hands, palms facing upward, on your knees. Bring attention to your breath.

2. Curl your tongue and inhale through the curled tongue. You'll hear a hissing sound. Breathe in deeply.

3. Bring your tongue in and swallow.

4. Exhale out through the nose. Exhale out all the air and then curl your tongue again.

5. Inhale through the curled tongue and continue the sequence five times or until you feel the body cool.

Tips & Warnings

• You can practice sitali with your eyes open or closed.

• You can practice sitali either before or after yoga or when stressed and need to literally cool down.