Yoga Practices for Building Heat

Creating warmth in the body increases flexibility and awakens the central nervous system; and if your inner furnace runs cold or your body’s constitution tips to the Vata side of Aryvedic’s doshas, then gaining warmth can become a daily preoccupation. As someone who wears three layers on most winter days (not including a coat!), I have garnered some helpful warming techniques for your practice.

Breath Control Exercises

First, let’s talk about breathing fire (not the ire kind, though). Be sure to speak with your physician if you have a pre-existing condition, such as asthma or cardiovascular disease. These yogic breathing practices vary from mild to intense.

For the following breath exercises, first find a straight spine. Sit in an easy seat or on your knees with a yoga block tucked under your bottom as support.

Creating warmth in the body increases flexibility and awakens the central nervous system; and if your inner furnace runs cold or your body’s constitution tips to the Vata side of Aryvedic’s doshas, then gaining warmth can become a daily preoccupation. As someone who wears three layers on most winter days (not including a coat!), I have garnered some helpful warming techniques for your practice.

First, let’s talk about breathing fire (not the ire kind, though). Be sure to speak with your physician if you have a pre-existing condition, such as asthma or cardiovascular disease. These yogic breathing practices vary from mild to intense.

For the following breath exercises, first find a straight spine. Sit in an easy seat or on your knees with a yoga block tucked under your bottom as support.

Prepare for ramping up by wearing a comfortable pair of pants, shorts, or underwear. Life is too short for rigid, stiff gear when you need to flow.

• The fallback, the go-to for warmth and flow for many yoginis, is the repetition of Sun Salutation A and Sun Salutation B. Go at your own pace. The heat will arrive in your gentle flow. Read All About Sun Salutations.
• Fire up your core with poses like plank or boat pose. Read our 5 Yoga Poses for Building Core Strength.
• Flow from Tree Pose to Chair Pose. Try encorporating a twist on either side when in Chair Pose. Read more on Yoga Poses that Build Tapas.