Do you experience hot flashes? Get overheated? Feel aggravated?

Use your own breath to cool yourself down!

A yogic breath - named Sheetali Pranayama (cooling breath) may just be what the doctor should order.

It cools and reduces mental and emotional excitation. It induces muscular relaxation and mental tranquility, and may be used as a tranquilizer before sleep. It helps control hunger and thirst, and generates a feeling of satisfaction. It helps reduce blood pressure and acid stomach.

Instructions for Sheetali Breath:

Sit in a comfortable position.
Close the eyes and relax the body.
Extend the tongue outside the mouth as far as possible without strain.
Roll the sides of the tongue up so a tube is formed.
Note: Only 1/3 of the populace has the genes to do this. If you don't, make a circle of your lips instead.
Inhale and draw your breath in through this tube, close the mouth and exhale through the nostrils. When you exhale visualize pushing the energy down through your hips into the earth.
The breath should produce a noise similar to rushing wind.
A feeling of icy coldness will be experienced on the tongue and the roof of the mouth.
This is one round of breath.
Practice a total of 9 rounds of breath.
After completion wash the inside of your mouth with your tongue.

Use it for hot flashes, or when overheated, or aggravated. You'll cool off quickly.

Another thought for cooling off and calming down is to drop into Isis Yoga Center and take a class. Your first class is free! Call us today at 651-994-0124 and find out what a difference yoga can make in your life!