Summer Lovin’
Ever since I was little, I’ve always thought of summer as a magical time of year. Family vacations, water sports and endless outdoor adventures all seemed to occupy my time during the glorious months of no school.
Now that I’m a working woman, I don’t have quite as much time to indulge in summer activities. I used to feel pressured to choose between my normal, daily routines or the once-a-year summer fun.
On weekends, I could choose to go to my weekly yoga class, but I would miss out on a hike with friends. I could spend time camping and swimming at the lake, but what about my workout commitments?
Well, no more. I refuse to choose between my much-needed yoga sessions and my much-desired summer activities. This year, I’ll be taking my mat along for the summer ride! Are you ready for an adventure? Here’s how to mix yoga into your summer life so you can have your cake and eat it too.
To the Peak and Beyond
Rather than choosing between your Saturday morning yoga class and an early morning hike with friends, try using yoga as either your warmup or cooldown to your hike. To warm up, head toward the trailhead and find an open, flat spot to place your mats. You may want to choose a routine that increases to a small level of intensity to help get your heart rate up.
If you’d rather use yoga as a nice way to break up the hike, wait until you get to the top of your trail. This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beautiful view. You’ll want to pick a yoga routine that gives you a chance to slow down, but not one that completely lowers your heart rate (you’ll still need to hike back down).
And lastly, yoga can be the perfect opportunity to cool down at the very end of a hike. Try starting with a pose of medium intensity and work your way toward the more restful positions. Be sure to include stretching poses as well!
Lake View and Yoga Too
It’s no surprise that swimming is consistently ranked as one of the top things to do in the summer. It’s fun, great for exercise and refreshing on a steaming summer day. If it’s too hot outside to enjoy yoga at the park, grab your suit and head to the pool. Yoga aquatics is the perfect way to stay cool and fit without interrupting your wellness routine.
If you’re brave enough, you can even find stand up paddleboard yoga at a lake near you! Your board acts as your mat for an equally fun and challenging yoga experience. Make sure you know how to swim and you may even want to take a beginner paddleboard lesson before fully embracing SUP yoga.
The Beach, A Surfboard and A Whole Lotta Balance
Though breaks are good and necessary, you don’t have to completely avoid your exercise plan on vacation.Take it easy, but still add a little yoga here and there. The next time you’re at the beach, by all means spend time with your kids, help build a sand castle, soak up some rays and even indulge in a little sweet treat. But before all that, try hitting the sand first thing in the morning (before it gets too hot) and enjoy waterfront yoga. What better place to relax and clear your head than with an ocean view?
If you’re looking for more of an adventure, a surfboard could be a fun way to take your yoga routine to the next level. No, you don’t have to know how to surf to experience yoga in the sea. Grab your board, swim past the rough waves and sit in the calm water. Take a few minutes to relax your mind and when you’re ready, try these yoga poses on the surfboard. Talk about balance! It’ll be a challenge, but an exciting one at that. Don’t worry if you fall; after all, water will be there to catch you.
Take Me Away, Even Just for a Day
Yoga on the waves may not be the type of thrill you’re going for this summer. If you’re looking for something more mellow, personal retreats can be the best time to clear your head and focus on inner peace. If you’ve gone through a season of worrying, feeling stressed or staying busy, you may want to consider getting away for a couple of days. A weekend camping trip or a day at the spa may be the perfect opportunity to kick up your feet and take a deep breath.
Catch up on your journaling, finish that book you haven’t had time to read and incorporate a little yoga into the mix. This isn’t the time for anything strenuous. Choose a routine that focuses on breathing techniques, meditation, and relaxation. You’ll never have felt better after spending a weekend with you.
Use this season to continue practicing your normal routine while enjoying the activities only summer has to offer. If you have other creative ways to mix yoga into your summer fun, we’d love to hear!
Did you love learning about summer yoga? Let us know how you feel in the comments below or email us your own blog to share!
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