Winter clearly does not want to depart this year and make way for spring. With the beast from the east having clearly moved in over most of the country, how can we keep ourselves warm?

There are many answers like drinking hot drinks and adding additional layers but why not consider stoking your inner fire by practicing some yoga.

Our circulation decreases in the cold and in turn this slows the effectiveness of the organs which causes a further decrease in our body’s temperature.

Activate your Manipura Chakra

Chakra yoga science tells us that the Manipura Chakra which is the third chakra and located between the naval and solar plexus, is connected to the element of fire. Yoga poses that operate with in this area can ignite physical and energetic fire to warm up your body temperature.

To start your warming practice, do some sun salutations. Click here for a great link on how to perform sun salutations – Surya Namaskar A and also links to variations Surya Namaskar B and adaptations for beginners.

Here are four asanas to practice to get your inner fire roaring.

Bow Pose – Dhanurasana

• Lie on your stomach with arms by your torso, palms facing up.
• On the exhale bend your knees bringing your feet as close to your buttocks as possible and then grab your ankles with your hands.
• Inhale and press your pubic bone down whilst pulling your belly in. Lift your chest and thighs.
• Press your shoulders blades into your back body to open the heart.
• Maintain this position for a few breaths.
• Exhale to release your arms and gentle lower back to a lying position.
• Repeat as required.

Revolved Triangle Pose – Parivrtta Trikonasana

• From Mountain pose (Tadasana) exhale and step your feet approximately 3.5 to 4 feet apart.
• Turn your right foot out 90 degrees to the right and your left foot 45 – 60 degrees to the right.
• Align your heels with each other.
• Exhale and turn your torso to the right squaring your hips and inhale as firmly ground your left heel and engage your pelvic floor.
• Exhale as you hinge from the hips to bring your upper body parallel with the floor reaching the left arm forwards.
• Place the left hand on the floor (or a block) on the outside of your right foot.
• Turn your head up to gaze up at your top thumb.
• Widen the space between the shoulder blades and press your arms away from your torso whilst shifting most of your weight to your back heel and front hand.
• Hold for 30 seconds, exhale and release the twist bringing the torso back to upright.
• Repeat reversing the legs and twisting to the left.

Cobra Pose – Bhujangasana

• Lie prone on the floor (face down).
• Bend your elbows and place your palms on the ground next to your chest. Extend your legs, pressing your pubis, thighs and tops of your feet into the floor whilst keeping your elbows pulled in towards your body.
• Inhale and lift your chest away from the floor. Push down into your hands to guide the lift. Keep your pubis pressed against the floor.
• Lift through the top of your chest and pull your tailbone down towards your pubis. Push your shoulders down and back and as you gaze slightly upwards elongate your neck.
• Hold for 15-30 seconds and exhale as you lower back down.

Boat Pose – Paripurna

• In a seated position, knees bent, feet on the floor, hands behind you with fingers pointing forwards.
• Lengthen your spine and draw your belly in whilst widening your collar bones to open the chest.
• Exhale as you lean back to find your balance point between your sit bones and tailbone whilst keeping your spine elongated.
• Extend your arms to become parallel with the floor.
• When possible straighten out your legs.
• Stay for 2-5 breaths

There are many asanas that engage this region including the warrior poses, so be sure to look them up. The mudra for the third chakra is the Hakini Mudra.

Often during such cold times, we will be tempted away from our practice but do not give in to it and keep your inner fire burning bright and if you don’t want to stoke your fire alone and the beast from the east has not made travelling impossible then why no try one of our yoga classes at The View Studio.