The warm embrace of winter yoga
Why it is the perfect season for a cosy and nourishing practice. By Sarah Highfield
Reading time: 2-3 minutes
The cool depths of winter are finally here with short days and even longer nights, however, contrary to what one might think, it is also the ideal backdrop for your yoga practice. This is the time of year when you can slow down, turn inwards and embrace the season's natural rhythm. In these colder months, yoga provides not only physical warmth but also emotional nourishment. Eight cool reasons to practice winter yoga (pun intended!)
1. Boosts circulation and warmth: Yoga stimulates blood flow, warming up your body naturally and improving circulation, which helps keep extremities like your hands and feet warm. Sun salutations and flow yoga are excellent for generating internal heat.
2. Reduces seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Yoga helps to release endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers. Restorative yoga and breathwork can help balance your mood and reduce feelings of lethargy or sadness that come with less sunlight.
3. Strengthens immune system: Regular yoga helps bolster your immune system by reducing your stress hormones, improving lymphatic drainage, and promoting your body’s ability to fight off illness.
4. Increases flexibility: Cold weather tends to make muscles stiffer and tighter, increasing your risk of injury. Yoga helps counteract this by stretching and loosening tight areas, such as your hips, shoulders, and lower back.
5. Promotes mindful winter rest: Winter naturally encourages a more reflective, inward-facing energy, aligning with the principles of yin yoga and meditation. Yoga can complement this by offering you a space to slow down, focus on your breath and body awareness, and embrace a more introspective practice, allowing you to recharge and reset mentally.
6. Counteracts the sedentary lifestyle of winter: During the cooler months when we are less inclined to go outside, yoga offers a low[1]impact yet effective way to stay active, maintain strength, and avoid the stiffness that can come from sitting for long periods.
7. Builds mental resilience: Yoga promotes mindfulness and being present, which can help to reduce winter stress and anxiety, and help you feel calmer.
8. Supports joint health: Yoga gently lubricates and mobilises your joints through mindful movement, helping to reduce stiffness and discomfort. In short, winter yoga is great because it keeps you physically warm, mentally balanced, and emotionally uplifted when you need it most! Roll out your mat today and find out for yourself.
Sarah Highfield is a yoga teacher, writer and regular OM contributor. Visit: yogagise.com or find her on Instagram @Yogagise
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
