Many of us have difficulty transitioning to the cold weather. But yoga and its sister science, Ayurveda, have time-tested methods that can make things go more smoothly during the darkest, coldest days of the year.
Regular exercise and yoga practice strengthen the immune system and give us a solid foundation to face the long winter. If time is limited, sun salutations are the ideal way to warm up and loosen the body in the morning.
Make sure you breathe deeply when you practice or exercise, because the breath contains prana, the essential life force. Diaphragmatic breathing improves digestion, brain function, and posture; increases energy; and reduces stress. Make sure the inhale is as long as the exhale, and that the belly is moving.
Motivation can go out the window when the temperature drops. To make sure you stick to your practice, it is good to make a sankalpa. A sankalpa is not a resolution; it is a solemn vow. To make a sankalpa, write down your intention at the top of a piece of paper and below write exactly how you will do it (for example, “Exercise for at least ten minutes, five days a week, for the rest of winter”). Sign your sankalpa and give it to someone you trust—or burn it. Keep a copy for yourself, and look at it from time to time to see how you’re doing. A sankalpa is like a contract with yourself, and it is important to stick to it.
Oil is one of the best antidotes to dry, cold weather. If you suffer from dry skin, try pouring a few teaspoons of uncooked sesame oil into your bath at night. If the body is stiff, add a cup of Epsom salt. After the bath, rub a few drops of sesame oil into the nostrils and ears to relieve dryness. Make sure you also include plenty of oil in your diet to lubricate the joints, aid digestion, and keep the bowels working properly. Olive oil is good for most body types.
Most important, keep exercising and practicing yoga. Recent studies have shown that regular yoga practice can greatly reduce symptoms of clinical depression. “The more the participants attended yoga classes, the lower their depressive symptoms at the end of the study,” said Dr. Maren Nyer, who conducted a 2017 pilot study at Massachusetts General Hospital. She also found that it improved the participants’ sense of optimism.
By Kali Om
Excerpted from her book Beyond the Mat: Don’t Just Do Yoga – Live It
With everything you need to stay active the winter season, Chicago Athletic Clubs is here for you. We offer advanced fitness classes (including yoga), personal training, a wide variety of gym equipment, and so much more! You can even try it for free with our membership guest pass. Visit your local CAC gym location to get started today!