Sitali Breathing - A Cooling Breath

Feeling hot? Try this breathing technique to cool down. It can be done at the beginning or end of practice or anytime during a practice when you feel your getting hot. It can also be done outside of practice when you feel hot - yoga off the mat!


Sitali: Cooling Breath
Begin by sitting in a comfortable position. Stick your tongue out of your mouth slightly and curl the sides of your tongue up. Some people are not able to curl their tongue. If that is the case for you, then make a small o shape with your lips. Inhale through your mouth, feel the breath across your tongue. Close your mouth and slowly exhale through your nose and repeat. 


Variations: 

• after you inhale, close your mouth and hold your breath for a short pause before you slowly exhale
• after you inhale, close your mouth and swallow before you slowly exhale 

Try different ways and see what works best for you.


Repeat 5 to 10 times. Gradually work your practice up to 15 minutes.


Enjoy and stay cool.

Reference: 
Teaching Yoga by Mark Stephens