It's HOT.

That's what happens in summer (not to mention the fact that scientists say the planet as a whole has been hotter than usual). But how does it make YOU feel?

You may notice yourself on edge, grumpy, cranky...and you are not alone. When we get hot and uncomfortable, our bodies go under some chemical changes that are similar to what happens when we are scared. In other words, the temperature goes up, and our bodies may start sending messages to our brains that we are in SERIOUS TROUBLE. This activates our 'fight-or-flight' response. Our heart rates increase, and our muscles prepare to go to battle.

And the next thing you know, you're kicking your favorite pool floaty for no reason!

Mindfulness practice is one tool we can put into play at these times (here are a few more). Your daily practice of being present with your mind and body can train you to be more in touch with what is really happening. This way, you are not reacting to threats that aren't real.

Restorative Yoga is a fantastic addition to your mindfulness practice. By spending 60-90 minutes in stillness (only moving into a new pose every 7-20 minutes), you are training your body and mind to relax. Your autonomic nervous system shifts from the stress response that keeps you on edge to the relaxation response. During restorative yoga, your brain waves slow down, your heart rate and blood pressure decrease, your breathing slows, and your muscles relax.

This may seem like heaven to you (it does for me!). Or this may sound excruciating. That's not out of the ordinary. Restorative yoga can be the most difficult "easy" class you've ever taken. So much of our time is spent on the go. If we aren't physically moving, we are mentally preparing for SOMETHING. This is the nature of our lives, and it's not possible to shut it down completely.

What we can do, through mindfulness and yoga (especially restorative), is train our whole selves to relax. And each time, we become a bit more recovered and restored.

Because time at rest is never wasted.

Join me for a Restorative Yoga Class:

Live: 6pm Mondays. $10 drop-in at Great Scott Studio, 914 Scott Street, Wichita Falls, TX

Sample a recent class from Balance Studio here: