Raise your hand if the thought of winter literally makes you want to curl up into a ball and hibernate for life. I'm the girl who turns her car's seat-warmer on high during a heat wave, so to say the least, cold weather f*cking hurts me emotionally. That's why when the temps start dropping, I make it a priority to include yoga poses for cold weather into my personal flow, as well as the classes that I teach to warm both mine and my students' bodies. (Plus, it's a low-key life hack to help keep us all from going bankrupt from ridiculous electricity bills.)
If you ask me, there's simply nothing good about the cold weather. Your nose gets perpetually runny, you try to convince yourself that sweatpants over leggings is a #look, and to top it all off, your joints and muscles get stiff and tense AF.
Enter yoga: your savior, your source of warmth, and your self-made internal space heater. You know when you take that first sip of a perfect cup of coffee on a chilly winter morning? That's what this yoga flow is going to feel like — a little slice of warm, soothing heaven.
These seven yoga poses will warm your body from the inside out to help you prepare for the cold weather ahead. Trust me, these movements will make you feel like you're wrapped up nice and tight in the warmest, coziest blanket ever.
Start your practice with breath of fire, which is a warming form of pranayama (or breathing technique).
Kapalabahti breathing stimulates the solar plexus, which lights up your internal flame and releases natural energy from your head to your toes.
Breathe rhythmically, and pull your naval toward your spine while practicing breath of fire. Don't worry if it feels weird at first; once you practice it a few times, you'll get the hang of it, and it'll feel amazing.
For many, winter is about turning inward. Just look at all the animals around us in nature, hibernating and taking a breather from life.
Forward folds are introspective, calming, soothing, and grounding, all while warming your body from the gentle hug you're giving yourself.
Be gentle at the beginning of your practice if your hamstrings aren't warmed up. You can take a generous bend in your knees to help you fall into the pose, and rest your upper body on your thighs, like a comforting shelf.
High lunge lengthens and warms up the hip flexors, while also creating heart space and vibrant energy throughout the body.
If you're feeling extra chilly, you can begin to pulse your back leg to cultivate extra warmth. You'll get in some booty building and work up a sweat.
In warrior III, combining focus, balance, and strength will be sure to warm you up in the best way possible.
Find a focal point to set your gaze upon, and keep your breath steady and even. Then focus on flexing your back foot and really grounding and strengthening throughout the legs and thighs.
Peace out heater, see you never.
Eagle pose will be the peak of your warming sequence because it requires tons of focus and endurance.
Garudasana flushes out your body's circulatory system, meaning that the pose uses your own hardworking heart rate to move blood throughout your body after you release the bind.
This fresh flow of blood and all the muscular power required in this asana will keep you even warmer than your favorite cable-knit sweater.
Crow pose is an arm balance that is, quite honestly, challenging as hell. Once you get the hang of it, though, you'll be hooked on this bad boy.
The incredible core strength required to find the optimal point of balance will literally make you drip with sweat. Attractive, I know. But hey, at least you won't be shivering, amirite?
Wind down from your heated sequence with a seated spinal twist.
This asana stimulates both the middle and lower parts of your body, detoxifying, soothing, and warming your entire being all at once.
As you inhale, lengthen your spine and grow taller. As you exhale, twist a bit deeper into the pose.
Close your eyes and envision yourself laying on a coral, sandy beach. Your body will be so warm, you might just believe it.
