As the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice is full of sunlight, warmth, and possibilities. Embrace all that this day has to offer with a set of yoga poses to nourish and energize your inner being. Below, you’ll find a few yoga poses you can do to celebrate the Summer Solstice.
Sun Salutations
Begin your yoga practice for the day with Sun Salutations. This flow of poses opens the body and helps you feel calm and ready to take on the day. Honor the sun with Sun A (Surya Namaskar) flow. It involves these eight asanas:
- Tadasana [inhale and exhale]
- Upward Salute [inhale]
- Forward Fold/Uttanasana [exhale]
- Flat Back/Halfway Lift [inhale]
- High Push-Up/High Plank [exhale]
- Low Push-Up/Low Plank/Chatturanga Dandasana
- Up Dog/Urdhva Muka Svanasana [inhale]
- Down Dog/Adho Muka Svanasana [exhale]
- Walk/Jump Forward [breathe + exhale]
- Flat Back/Halfway Lift [inhale]
- Forward Fold/Uttanasana [exhale]
- Tadasana [breathing]
Boat Pose
This Summer Solstice, ignite your inner fire with boat pose. This pose targets your abdominals as you balance in a seated V position. It takes focus and deep breaths to achieve boat pose, making it the perfect way to reconnect with your inner self.
Half Lord of the Fishes Pose/Ardha Matsyendrasana
To balance your Manipura chakra, which is the seat of your strength and stamina, do the half lord of the fishes pose. It’ll give you a sense of power and self-will, which we can all use during the hot summer months.
Camel Pose
Celebrate Summer Solstice with a heart-opening pose, such as camel pose. In this pose, you’ll be opening yourself to change and growth.
Sunshine Breaths
Finally, end your Summer Solstice yoga practice with sunshine breaths to revitalize your spirit and boost your energy. To start, inhale fully through your nose, then exhale fully through your mouth. Then, breathe in through your nose for a count of five as you lift your arms above your head and join your hands in the high prayer position. Hold your breath for a count of five. Then, breathe out through your nose for another count of five as you draw your hands down into the prayer position in front of your heart. Hold your breath for a count of five. Repeat these slow inhales and exhales with arm movements 10 times.
Energizing Yoga for the Summer Solstice
Start your summer off right with energizing yoga poses for the Summer Solstice. After flowing through these poses, you’ll feel ready to take on any changes the new season brings with it.
If you’d like to learn how to help others embrace new seasons with open hearts, sign up for Health Yoga Life coach training or teacher training. These courses will guide you on your journey towards being a light for others.