Cooling down with Langhana style yoga - perfect for hot weather

As these summer heatwaves continue, you might be thinking it's too hot to go to a yoga class. I invite you to think again - because your yoga practice could be your secret weapon for staying cool and refreshed. This time of year is perfect for embracing a Langhana style yoga class, with a practice that is focused on soothing, cooling, and grounding the body and mind.

What is Langhana style yoga?

Langhana practices are designed to calm, cool and restore our depleted energy. They can be used therapeutically when someone is feeling anxious, fatigued or unwell -

and they are also especially helpful in hot weather, when your body and mind may feel overheated or restless.

Cooling poses to try at home

Here are some poses and sequences that help lower your body temperature and promote deep relaxation:

- Child’s Pose (Balasana): Kneel, sit back on your heels, and fold forward—this gentle stretch soothes the nervous system and offers a moment of calm. If you have a large cushion or bolster it is even more soothing. Try letting your forehead roll from side to side for an extra calming effect.

- Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani): Lie on your back with your legs resting vertically against a wall - ideal for cooling and releasing tension. Choose a cool wall or floor and it's even better! If it is hard to get your legs completely vertical you could also do this with legs around the edge of the bed or sofa, or use a chair.

- Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana): Sit with legs extended, fold forward from the hips - this deep stretch helps release heat and calm the mind. If you can't sit comfortably on the floor with straight legs, leave a little bend, you could also do it with legs wider. And if you have a bolster or cushion to rest your arms or forehead on it's even better.

- Restorative yoga: All restorative yoga poses support a langhana style practice. Try supported reclining poses or gentle twists with props like bolsters and blankets for ultimate relaxation. Or come to my weekly Yoga Chill class, every Wednesday at 7.30pm. Be quick it's very popular!

Why the hot weather is a great time to stretch

When it’s warm, your muscles are naturally more pliable, making it easier to explore stretches that might feel challenging in colder months. You might notice you have more flexibility and can go deeper into poses with less risk of injury. Exactly what hot yoga is intended to achieve. It’s a wonderful opportunity to try something new or revisit poses that felt difficult before.

For example if you come to my classes you will know that whilst my students can all sit in poses like Gomukhasana and Virasana with ease, I can't. These are very challenging postures for my body shape. So during my self practice this morning, I spent some time focusing on easing myself into these amazing hip opener.s And thanks to the elevated temperature, I got further than I have in a long time - and what a huge tension releaser it was.

Try seated postures and energising stretches

Seated and restorative postures aren’t just relaxing—they can also be incredibly energising too. Holding gentle stretches for longer periods allows your body to release tension and your mind to settle. This is a great time to experiment with restorative yoga, where you focus on letting go and being present.

Are you ready to cool down?

Join me for refreshing Langhana-inspired classes whilst the weather is extra hot this week, or try some of these suggested poses at home. Let this warm summer period help you discover how yoga can be cooling. Experience new levels of flexibility and a sense of calm on your mat.

Stay cool and enjoy your practice!

P.S. Want to try my restorative Yoga Chill class for the first time? A regular Thursday night class will be starting soon, get in touch to join the group and waiting list.

lesley@behappyyoga.fit