Monsoon season is characterized bycloudy skies and humidity. The weather fluctuates between humid and cold, leading to heaviness in the body, with tight muscles and lethargy. This can be counteracted by relaxing the muscles of the upper chest and trunk to feel lighter in the body. Also, consumption of hot food, liquid food,and incorporationof ginger powder in the diet, helps combat the illnesses that are associated with the monsoon season.
Heaviness or lethargy of the body can be released with two simple Surya Namaskars. Uttanasana, Ashwa Sanchala Asana, Adho Mukha Svanasana and Bhujangasana should be included in SuryaNamaskar to help overcome the lethargy. However, care should be taken that these asanas are not overdone. The Surya Namaskar and other asanas that are included in our classes in this weather are not just about removing lethargy, but also settling certain energies that get aggravated due to the weather. (In this weather, Vyana Vayu should be balanced and Prana Vayu enhanced, with the practice of Surya Namaskar and the Asanas mentabove).
Tiredness, exhaustion, and anxiety can be relieved by doing Supta Swastikasana. It helps with flatulence, headache, irritable bowel syndrome, and acidity (as our abdomen is expanded in this pose).
In the monsoon season, the sun does not shine as brightly due to the cover of clouds in the sky; the digestive fire is not optimal and it is recommended to eat less to prevent abdominal issues. The Sun, however,does give us the required energy and hydration. If we feel lethargic, it is the result of ourunhealthy lifestyle choices like sleeping late, waking up late, poor diet, sleeping in the afternoon, etc. The first step towards enhancing our well-being would be to recognise the wrongs,followed by their correction and combined with regular, committed practice.