Winter is here… So be prepared.

via GIPHY

Heed the advice of Game of Thrones and start preparing now.

The coldest season is coming and yoga is the best cover you could wear. Nothing can be compared to the feeling of snuggling in a blanket on a chilly Winter morning. However, drinking hot coffee or sizzling tea by your fireplace is not the healthiest way to warm up during the cold season. While many outdoor activities fall by the wayside, during winter time it’s a great idea to increase your yoga routine.

In fact, practicing yoga can help you heat up your body temperature and boost your immune system. Winter season is famous for flus, sore throats, norovirus and colds… This means that poses which open up your chest, throat and sinuses will be helpful in  improving your immune system and taking care of your body.

Here are 4 yoga remedies that can help you beat winter laziness and stick with your meditation practice.

1. Keep Warm

Although during this cold winter your sofa tries to tempt you for a nap, do not avoid your daily yoga time. It will help you warm up and prevent those regular aches and stiffness in joints. Practice Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) every morning to start your day in the best way. Surya Namaskar is a Yoga Practice incorporating a sequence of gracefully linked asanas and, if you want, you can also include Sukshma Vyayam in your practice. This can help prevent rigidity in joints!

2. Increase Your Body Immunity

During winter time, doing Pranayamas (Breathing Exercises) helps clear chest congestion and boost immunity. For these cold months the best yoga practice is – without any doubts –Surya Bhedana (Right Nostril Breathing). Also, try Jal Neti, an ancient yogic technique that can help you into your fight against common allergies. Yoga practice helps you increase your body immunity: this way, you can keep the bacteria at bay.

3. Beat Winter Blues

Usually, with the gloomy weather or with shorter days, we tend to fall into a lethargic and sad mood.

Less sunlight can affect the circadian rhythm, the body’s biological clock that governs certain brain wave activity and hormone production. If you’re human, chances are you don’t want to wake up on a gray and wintry day. But beating the winter blues is easier with yoga practice! Don’t waste your time on your sofa, take some moments to think about yourself: after your daily yoga practice, sit down and close your eyes! After Asanas and Pranayamas, take a breath and ease your mind.

4. Burn Fat 

During winter time your lifestyle will tend to change, especially your diet…Every year is difficult do not fall down into the same errors – sweets, chips, pizzas – but this time try not to use any excuse to put on weight! Are you going to spend the winter in hibernation? Eat whatever you want, but don’t avoid your yoga practice: some Asanas and stretches help you reduce weight and tone internal organs as well.

These are some reasons to stick with your yoga practice this winter!