It is easy to feel lazy or lethargic in the heat of summer. Some days the thought of dragging yourself to the gym or the yoga studio is the last thing you want to do, even though you know it will make you feel better. If your youthful enthusiasm is wavering and your upbeat mood is suffering, you might find that just a few minutes of doing the right thing is all you need to get your energy back.
The following are three yoga and martial arts inspired exercises that are sure to bring your mood from drab to dynamite, plus give you a youthful and positive frame of mind.
Mountain Pose
This yoga pose can be practiced anywhere, and at anytime of day.
Stand tall, raise your arms up overhead, and take several powerful deep breaths. The fresh oxygen that will be coursing through your veins will refresh your brain. Standing in this pose energizes your core, your arms, and your legs, so take advantage of it whenever you can.
Dynamic Standing Twist
Inspired by the Five Tibetan Rites, the book of youthful exercises, this standing twist will raise the chi energy through your spine.
Stand comfortably with feet hip width apart. Bring both arms level with your shoulders. First, swing your arms to the right, and slap your left hand against your right shoulder, and slap your right hand against the small of your back. Switch sides. Allow your head, torso and legs to follow the movement of the twist, gently raising each foot to accommodate the range of motion of your upper body.
The twisting motion will give you a fresh outlook on life, and refresh your perspective from stale, all the way up to superb.
Horse Stance
A basic martial arts position, horse stance brings on feelings of stability, plus energizes and tones the lower body. If you feel wiped out from the pace of life, practice horse stance and get grounded.
Take a wide stance, with feet slightly less than a leg length apart. Bend both knees no lower than 90 degrees. Bring both palms together in prayer position, and fix the gaze firmly for one pointed focus. Take several deep breaths and feel energized from your head all the way down to your toes.
Also Read:
Yoga for the Relief of Afternoon Sluggishness
mountain yoga image by BigStockPhoto.com