Skip to main content

Sitali and Sitkari Pranayams to cool your body in summer

Blame it on anything โ€“ ecology, industrialization or global warming โ€“ summers are getting hotter and hotter. No longer is intense heat confined to tropical countries like India and desert regions, it is becoming universal!

Remember last summer? It was like being baked in an oven! Is it any different this year? Nah! In fact, it is worse. More gruesome days are yet to come.



How to cope up with this annual ordeal then? How to deal with the host of sweaty problems that comes tagging along with it?

Though the human body has a fairly high heat-tolerance level, you can aid the bodyโ€™s heat regulation mechanism in an efficient manner by slightly altering your lifestyle and habits.

Proper summer habits like watching oneโ€™s diet, keeping oneself adequately hydrated, wearing loose cotton clothes, minimal makeup, slapping sunblock lavishly on the skin, protective eye gear โ€“ all these will help you immensely. 

Oh, did I almost hear you exclaim โ€œAll these suggestions are hackneyed but nonetheless good enough and I have been following them meticulously. Are there any specific exercises to cool oneself?โ€

Well, yes there are certain breathing techniques (Pranayams) like Sitali (Sheetali) and Sitakari which are especially recommended for summer by Swami Ramdev.

Practicing these Pranayams not only cools the bodyโ€™s core temperature but also the mind, making one feel serene, peaceful and calm in a jiffy. Feeling thirsty and water is unavailable?

Donโ€™t despair. Just 5 rounds of one of these two pranayams will alleviate your thirst in no time.

Sitali (Sheetali) Pranayam

Sitting in a comfortable posture, draw the tongue about 1 inch outside the lips, rolled up from the sides to form a channel like a birdโ€™s beak.

If you cannot roll your tongue, then let your tongue just touch your lower lip. Inhale or suck in the air through it.

After inhaling the air through your mouth, close it; hold your breath and exhale through both the nostrils. Complete required number of rounds.

As per pinklotus.org, Sitali / sheetali pranayam,  soothes and cools the spine in the area of the fourth, fifth and sixth vertebrae. This, in turn, regulates the sexual and digestive energy. 

This breath is often used for lowering fever. Great powers of rejuvenation and detoxification are attributed to this breath when practiced regularly. 

Doing 52 breaths daily can extend your lifespan. Often the tongue may taste bitter at first. This is a sign of toxification. As you continue the practice the taste of the tongue will ultimately become sweet.



Sitkari Pranayam

Inhale by opening the mouth a little, keeping the tip of the tongue touching the lower front teeth and then suck in the air slowly with a hissing sound C C or (Si Si).

After holding breath, exhale through both the nostrils. This pranayam helps to control thirst, hunger and laziness.


Comments

  1. Anonymous4:28 AM

    Hi Aparna!

    Thanks for participating in this week's Carnival of Family Life, hosted at On the Horizon tomorrow, April 14, 2008! Be sure to drop by and check out all of the other excellent entries this week!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous5:26 PM

    Cools the body. Removes disease from the mouth
    Should not be practiced in the winter or by people suffering from cold

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ganesh9:14 AM

    Cools the mental, physical and emotional systems and reduces internal heat. Reduces stress and creates a sense of tranquility and peace. Reduces anger and irritation promoting calm.Reduces fever.
    Combats other Pitta related disturbances such as acidity, burning eyes, heat rash etc.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Vrinda9:15 AM

    Stimulates and assists in digestion. Helps combat restlessness and helps induce sleep.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Shiva5:10 PM

    It cools the whole body and the nervous system. It will have a pacifying and relieving effect for various troubles such as headache, fever etc. It activates the lever and spleen, improve digestion and relieve thirst. Shitali pranayama is highly recommended as an immediate remedy for nervousness.



    Quick Links - Webindia123.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Goutam8:30 AM

    This Pranayama should not be practiced in case of heavy cough or cold, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and low blood pressure.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Prabhat8:33 AM

    This practice helps to cooling down your mind and body. The regular practice of this breathing style is helpful in reliving acidity, hypertension and purifying your blood. It gives natural glow on your face.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ravishankar9:19 AM

    Helps deal with stress more effectively.
    Helps lower blood pressure.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mataji4:16 PM

    This technique usually cools the mouth and may have both a cooling and a relaxing effect upon the whole body. Lips should close at the end of inhalation, preparatory to holding the full pause with chin lock. Closure of the lips ends the hissing sound, si, with a "sip."

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous4:18 PM

    a cooling effect may be noted and, indeed, sought through this and the foregoing technique whenever needed. The tongue is drawn back into the mouth and the lips are closed at the end of inhalation. We can breathe out either through the throat or, alternatively, through the nostrils.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments posted on this blog are moderated and approved only if they are relevant, on-topic and not abusive. Avoid using links to your site/blog in the body of your comment unless it is highly relevant to the post.

Popular posts from this blog

5 Emotional Sad Short Stories To Make You Cry Immediately

Today Iโ€™m going to relate a few emotional, sad short stories that will make you cry immediately. Crying โ€“ is that even good for you? Isnโ€™t crying associated with weakness? Wellโ€ฆ

21 Bindi Quotes That Illuminate Tradition, Spirituality, and Modern Identity

The bindi , a small yet striking dot adorning the forehead , has long been a symbol of cultural pride, spiritual devotion, and aesthetic beauty in South Asian traditions. While its visual appeal is undeniable, the bindi carries profound meanings that transcend its physical form. In this piece, we delve into the world of bindi quotes โ€”words that capture the essence of this timeless adornment. From ancient proverbs to contemporary reflections, these quotes celebrate the bindiโ€™s role as a bridge between tradition and modernity. (Curious about the history and styles of the bindi? Explore my previous article: The Bindi Forehead Dot: A Small Dot with Big Significance .) The Bindi as a Symbol of Feminine Power The bindiโ€™s legacy extends beyond tradition โ€”it is a bold declaration of feminine energy and resilience. Rooted in the concept of Shakti (divine feminine power), it symbolizes creativity, strength, and the unyielding spirit of women. Historically, the red bindi marked marital status,...

Water โ€“ some health benefits of drinking it

Staying properly hydrated is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to stay in good health. DAILY WATER CONSUMPTION For normal metabolism, a human body releases 500ml of water in the form of urine every day. Through breathing and sweating, the body releases another 500ml-800ml of water. Therefore maintaining a content of 1000ml of water in oneโ€™s body is of utmost importance at all times. IMPROVES BLOOD CIRCULATION Water helps the blood in transporting nutrients, antibodies and blood cells to infected areas when sick and it removes toxin and waste from the body. With this, it smoothens metabolism and at the same time increases the immunity of the body.

Kapalabhati Pranayam for wrinkle-free, radiant complexion

Did you know that Kapalabhati Pranayam / kriya can also be used to enhance your beauty and ward off skin aging? Done the right way,  Kapalabhati Pranayam can be used as a beauty aid - it can give you a wrinkle-free, luminous forehead and radiant complexion. Kapalabhati For Beauty   โ€˜Kapalabhatiโ€™ Pranayam breathing exercise is an excellent way of maintaining good health and fighting diseases. โ€˜Kapalaโ€™ means โ€˜skullโ€™ (and โ€˜foreheadโ€™ also) and โ€˜bhatiโ€™ means โ€˜shiningโ€™. By doing kapalabhati, the โ€˜nadisโ€™(nerves) of the brain get good exercise. This is achieved by exercising the diaphragm. There will be a glow on the forehead. After the age of 25, the tell-tale signs of ageing start making their appearance in the form of fine lines on the forehead. A regular practice of Kapalabhati for 10-15 minutes everyday will give you a tight forehead sans wrinkles for many years to come. Avoid Botox, try Kapalabhati Why resort to Botox   and other expensive chemical or surgica...

Holi Diet and Hydration: Staying Healthy During the Festivities

Holi, the festival of colors, is one of the most vibrant and joyous celebrations in India. It marks the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and a time for communities to come together in a riot of colors, music, and dance. However, amidst the fun and frolic, itโ€™s easy to overlook the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and staying hydrated. With rich foods, sugary treats, and long hours of outdoor activities, itโ€™s crucial to strike a balance between indulgence and well-being. In this post, weโ€™ll explore how you can enjoy Holi to the fullest while keeping your health in check through mindful eating, proper hydration, and safe practices. Why Diet and Hydration Matter During Holi Holi is synonymous with indulgence. From gujiyas and thandai to fried snacks and sweets, the festival is a culinary delight. However, overindulging in these treats can lead to digestive issues, energy crashes, and dehydration, especially when combined with hours of playing outdoors under the ...