International Yoga Day 2024: With heatwave alerts issued in several cities across India, the summer season is becoming more challenging with time. Heatwaves can be devastating to health – they can lead to dizziness, excessive sweating, cardiac problems, asthma attacks and the transmission of several infectious diseases. Heatstroke is one of the acute effects of exposure to scorching heat or heatwaves. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, yoga teacher and certified nutritionist Manisha Pareek said, “It is very important to protect yourself from heatstroke as it can lead to serious health issues including dehydration, organ damage, paralysis and even death. Heatstroke occurs when your body loses its ability to cool down, causing your temperature to rise dangerously due to prolonged exposure to the sun, high temperatures or dehydration.”
Also read: International Yoga Day 2024: Safe and effective asanas for the elderly
Dr Rajiv Rajesh, Chief Yoga Officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute, said, “Practising yoga can help reduce and manage the risk of heatstroke during the summer months by enhancing the body and mind’s ability to cool down and calm down.”
Yoga experts suggest some yoga exercises that can help reduce the risk of heatstroke:
Yoga Asanas:
Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose):
The bridge pose helps improve blood circulation and calm the nervous system, further enhancing heart health.
Shavasana (Corpse Pose):
Shavasana, one of the most relaxing yoga techniques, can help lower body temperature. It also uses gravity to bring blood back to the heart.
Viparita Karani (seated pose with legs up against the wall):
This yoga pose helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress and cools down the body effectively.
Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose):
One of the variations of the butterfly pose, Supta Baddha Konasana helps in opening the hips and increasing the flexibility of the hips. It also helps in cooling down the body.
Breathing technique:
Shitali Pranayama (Cool Breathing Technique):
This pranayama helps cool down the body and affects the brain centers responsible for temperature control. It also helps reduce agitation and anxiety.
Shitkari Pranayama (Hissing Breathing Technique):
This technique cools the body and calms the mind, making it an excellent practice during hot weather.
Foot pose:
The mudra is a gesture, and in this case, the gesture involves contracting the mouth like a crow’s beak and looking at the tip of the nose. This practice cools the body and calms the mind, as well as doing wonders for the skin and complexion, smoothing out wrinkles and providing anti-aging benefits.
Chandra Bhedan Pranayama (Left nostril breathing):
Chandra Bhedan activates the cool energy and helps in reducing the body heat.
