Hey there Beautiful Warrior! It's been a while; I wanted to say "Hi" ...and I thought that you could use a break in your day to cool off
Here's a TACO (Transform~And~Clear~Obstacles) Tuesday break for you to use anytime during your day when you feel overheated and need to Chill. Simple, quick and effective bite-size morsels to transform and elevate your life, Kali-style. Today's Menu: 🔥⚖️🌮❄️💨Taco Breath! (Sitali (& Sitkari) Pranayama- Cooling Breath) Perfect for a hot Summer's Day, after a workout/Yoga practice Even if you are Angry or H'Angry -Enjoy this Fire-Balancing cooling bite anytime you need to cool the fire. Get cooling sweet relief & added moisture to the system with Taco Breath (In addition, this practice can also help reduce fatigue, bad breath, fevers, and high blood pressure)
Extra bonus: Use the painting/Yoga Mat "Fluid Grace" to help you focus even more to Be Free Flowing (Cool) Beauty
✌️💜🤘🕉🌮
XOXO Lauri
How To Practice Sitali
Sit in a comfortable position with the head, neck, and spine in alignment.
Close your eyes, breathe slowly & smoothly for a few breaths to center & set an intention,
Open the mouth and form the lips into an “O.”Curl the tongue lengthwise like a Taco Shell and project it out of the mouth (about 3/4 of an inch).
Inhale deeply, across the tongue and into the mouth as if drinking through a straw.
Focus your attention on the cooling sensation of the breath as the abdomen and lower ribs expand.
Withdraw the tongue and close the mouth & pause a beat or 2, then exhale completely, slowly through the nostrils.
As you elongate & pause the breath be sure remain relaxed- never forcing the or holding the breath to where it becomes uncomfortable
Repeat for 5- breaths or whatever feels right to you You can continue doing sitali for 2 to 3 minutes, return to an uncontrolled breathing for several more, and repeat the cooling breath for 2 to 3 minutes longer. Gradually you can work your way up to a 10-minute practice.
Can’t Curl Your Tongue? No worries- try Sitkari
Sit comfortably with your eyes closed.
Gently press your lower and upper teeth together and separate your lips as much as you comfortably can, so your teeth are exposed to the air.
Inhale slowly through the gaps in the teeth and focus on the hissing sound of the breath.
Close the mouth and slowly exhale through the nose.
Repeat up to 20 times- or what feels right for you
Cautions for Sitali and Sitkari
Because these breaths reduce body temperature, they are best practiced during hot weather or after a sweaty yoga practice or workout, or even after a heat inducing breath like Bellows Breath (Bhastrika)
If you have a vata or kapha constitution, these cooling breaths may not be appropriate during wintertime. But no matter when you practice, be sure to take in air that is close to body temperature, since the breath won’t be warmed by the nostrils—if the air is cold, it may aggravate the lungs.