The 3-D’s of Summer: De-stress, De-crease, De-velop
Despite the purported “ease” of summer, often times this season brings a whole new set of stresses with it. Kids are out of school and underfoot, workloads increase as colleagues leave on vacation, and home life intensifies with visitors from out of town. Yoga is still very much needed to help with the first “D” – “De-stress.” De-stressing through yoga is important at this time so that even with the extra summer demands placed on parents, employees, or hosts, all can remain patient and calm. Staying de-stressed, people sustain a higher energy level during the day, sleep more peacefully at night, and generally have a happier, more productive summer.
The second of the 3-D’s, or “De-crease,” is a reminder that especially during the summer – with increased outdoor activity levels – people need to de-crease their stiffness and increase their flexibility. Staying flexible and strong through yoga helps to de-crease chances of injuries during extra summer sports and to de-crease the recovery time it takes for muscles to heal after the strain of new or extended exercise.
Finally, the third “D” of the 3-D’s, “De-velop,” refers to the fact that during each season – whether it be fall, winter, spring or summer – de-veloping one’s spiritual side should continue to be a top priority. There’s not a season where developing self-control and peace of mind isn’t important, and continuing a regular yoga practice helps keep a yogi on the path to successful self-realization and, therefore, joy. As Paramahansa Yogananda said: “Success . . . is a little seed-thought and you have to develop it . . . All kinds of seeds of power are within you, waiting for you to develop them.” There’s no summer break for developing those positive “seed-thoughts.”
So, again, we at Being Yoga urge you to keep in mind the “3-D’s” and make a commitment to your summer yoga practice!