The starts had to align perfectly to photograph from a boat, on the lake, while Karen demonstrates Revolved Head-to-Knee pose, on a paddleboard. Photo by Fred Padilla.
By Karen Watson Reeves
Whew! It’s hot, right? As I am writing in mid-July for the August edition of The Springs, we are in the midst of an unrelenting heat/drought wave. August is also traditionally hot and dry in Arkansas. What is a person to do??
Don’t be surprised that I will suggest yoga because yoga helps reduce body temperature in a natural manner. During extreme temperatures, and sometimes less intake of water, the body can heat up to excessive levels. Yoga can lower the temperature of the body and cool it down.
As the mercury soars in summer, the cool interior of the yoga studio can help one keep an active physical practice without the danger of heat exhaustion.
Another way to cool off? Be mindful of what you eat. Some foods require the body to burn more energy to digest. Eating foods such as nuts, leafy greens, fish, fruits, and LOTS of water can help the body temperature stay regulated.
Some other ways to reduce body temperature include wearing lighter, more breathable clothing; applying cold compresses to the body; staying in places with cooler air; moving less; getting in the water.
The last tip is why I chose the setting for this month’s pose, Revolved Head-to-Knee Pose. I included the Sanskrit name in the article headline, because some English translations, such as this one, are just awkward. Any summer day that I can spend some time in one of our beautiful lakes is a happy day for me! Add good friends, good yoga, and good food/drink to the equation and that equals Arkansas summertime bliss!
From the paddleboard floating device, I chose to demonstrate Revolved Head-to-Knee Pose, which is a pretty intense twist and side bend.
It takes me several breaths of inhaling and lifting tall, then exhaling and bending to the side to get deeper. The pose stretches muscles in the back and around the ribs, creating more flexibility in the spine and allowing you to breathe more deeply. The hamstrings, hips, and shoulders, as well as the spinal side flexors, obliques, and intercostal muscles between the ribs also get very stretchy.
On the sweltering day of the photo shoot, I got to experience the best way of all to cool off: jumping in the lake. And besides my trusty photographer, Fred, I’m also grateful to friends, Lynn and Frank Janaskie, for taking us out on Lake Hamilton in their boat. Cooling off is always more fun with cool people!
Karen Watson Reeves has called Hot Springs home since 2006. Owner of The Yoga Place, at 301 Whittington Avenue, she became a registered yoga/children’s yoga teacher in 2011. She is on the Hot Springs YMCA teaching staff and is an adjunct instructor at National Park College. When not on the mat, Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors of the National Park, especially from her bicycle. For more information about her studio and her schedule of classes, visit www.theyogaplacehs.com.
