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As the temperature dips, it is always wise to know some of the best ways to stay warm in winter naturally. From yoga and breathing exercises to the right foods and drinks for winter, there’s a lot you can do to protect yourself from the cold.
Let’s begin with yoga asanas. As a whole, Surya Namaskar is a great practice to generate heat in the body since the sequence of poses is designed in a way that it generates heat called agni sara.
The next you could do is the warrior series of yoga poses. All warrior poses, also known as Virabhadrasana 1,2 and 3 are strong standing poses, and they play a pivotal role in generating a significant amount of heat and a lot of strength in the body. Similarly, Utkatasana which is the chair pose, is a lower body strength asana but because it engages the lower body it generates a lot of warmth
Along with asanas, Pranayama and breathwork when practised consistently, also help in raising the internal heat. Kapalbhati is said to be incredibly energising and works seamlessly to help warm the body. Along with Surya Bhedana, which helps kindle the inner fire, the bhastrika Pranayama aids in boosting the body’s circulation and temperature.
When it comes to Mudras, the one highly recommended is Agni Mudra, also called the Fire Mudra. As the name suggests, this specific mudra is believed to increase the fire element in the body.
Eat warm foods for winter throughout the day and consume a lot of soups, herbal teas and stews. Consume food items that include a lot of spices in every meal. Spices like ginger, cinnamon and turmeric which are known to improve the body’s warmth and increase immunity.
When it comes to winter wellness, hydration is key. In winter, we tend to not get very thirsty and a lot of people forget to drink water. This, in turn, gets you dehydrated. So, make sure that you’re staying hydrated. You may have warm beverages such as herbal or infused teas to support that overall warmth.
Layering is the best when it comes to anything with clothing. Make sure you wear warm clothes. Make sure you’re covering your throat and your upper chest and your respiratory system to avoid unnecessary exposure to cold and flu.
Take warm baths (lukewarm water if you want to save your skin). Use bath salts if you can, which help to really relax the muscles. This may raise your body temperature.
Physical activity is key and hence even maintaining a regular regime with basic brisk walks can be quite helpful.
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PERSONALISE NOWNatural sunlight can provide internal body warmth in winter. A great source of vitamin D, it also helps to elevate the mood, and balances the hormones along with your yoga practice.
All the above-mentioned simple tips on how to keep the body warm naturally, shall come handy to save you from the winter chill.
1. Oil Pulling (Gandusha): Swish a tablespoon of warm sesame oil or coconut oil in your mouth for about 5-10 minutes. This ancient Ayurvedic practice is believed to support oral health and overall well-being.
2. Abhyanga (Self-Massage): Regularly massage your body with warm oil, such as sesame or almond oil, before showering. This helps improve circulation, keeps the skin moisturised, and promotes warmth.
3. Warm Foot Soak: Before bedtime, soak your feet in warm water with a pinch of rock salt. This can help relax your muscles and promote better sleep.
4. Dry brushing: Use a dry brush before your shower to stimulate circulation and remove dead skin cells. This can invigorate the body and promote warmth.
5. Candlelight meditation: Engage in a calming meditation session by candlelight. This helps create a serene ambiance and promotes a sense of inner warmth.
(Anshuka Parwani is a Wellness Columnist for Health Shots. She writes an exclusive bi-weekly column for the women’s health platform. A leading celebrity yoga and holistic wellness expert in India, Anshuka trains celebrities such as Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt. A former pilot, she is the force behind Mumbai-based yoga studio Anshuka Yoga.)
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Anshuka pioneered Aerial Yoga in India and trademarked FlyFit, a combination of Aerial Yoga, Aerial Pilates, and Aerial Fitness, which has now become the trend of the trade. She is also a trained and certified prenatal and postpartum Yoga/fitness expert. She completed her training at The Yoga institute in Mumbai and learnt the science behind hind Yogic wellness. Very early on in her journey, she started and still continues to train celebrities like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, and Arjun Kapoor to name a few.She was a part of the Indian swim team and is a National gold medallist. Understanding the importance of sports, she has also trained successful athletes such as Mahesh Bhupati. She has worked with some of the biggest brands across industries curating wellness experiences/retreats such as HSBC, ICICI, Citibank, Hilton Shilim, Tata, Marriott Hotels, Taj Hotels, Nike, and Colgate to name a few. She is also Adidas India's brand ambassador. ...Read More
