If your hamstrings are tight, place your hands on blocks for support.

Inhale the arms overhead.Įxhale into Half Splits, straightening the front leg and folding over it, hands framing the front leg. On an exhale, fold forward and step back to Low Lunge, back knee on the ground. Exhale into Standing Forward Bend inhale to a long spine. In the summer, I tend to favor the softer Moon Salutation over the vigorous Sun Salutation, as the flow avoids heating backbends and Chaturangas. Repeat Half Sun Salutation for three to five rounds. Inhale the arms overhead, and exhale the palms in front of the heart for Lotus Mudra. Inhale halfway up to a long spine-hands pressing on your shins, or fingertips on the floor in line with the toes.Įxhale and fold forward. Exhale into Standing Forward Bend-knees soft, crown of the head reaching toward the floor. Repeat this movement three to 10 times, slowing down the exhale as you progress. As you exhale, gently press your palms toward the earth the fingertips stay connected. On an inhale, reach the arms overhead fingertips come to touch. This creates space, softness, and openness in the palms, inviting coolness and an open heart. As the name implies, the hands will look like a blossoming flower. The base of the hands touch at the bend of the wrist the thumbs and little fingers stay connected.Īllow the index, middle, and ring fingers to gently open into Lotus Mudra. Bring your palms together in front of your heart for Anjali Mudra.

This simple, accessible practice can be broken down into 15-minutes segments the entire sequence takes about 45 minutes to complete.Ĭome to stand at the top of your mat in Mountain pose. The pitta-balancing practice here starts strong, then gradually slows down to promote coolness and introversion. Pitta is a combination of fire and water-responsible for hot, humid days and, in turn, a hot, sticky body. The sequence below is designed to balance the qualities of pitta, which are prevalent in the summer. In yoga, the earth element is accessed through strong standing postures, poses where the hands and feet are rooted to the ground. Earth provides the stability that allows for expansion.

Space offers an opportunity to slow down, reflect, expand, and air out the body. When I approach summertime sequencing through an Ayurvedic lens, I favor the elements of space and earth. When I craft a yoga class, I always consider the current weather and season.

Elements to hatha yoga sequence