It’s Cold Outside!

This is such a festive time of the year and I love it.  The colder weather in LA actually makes the Holiday season come more alive.

I swear 50 degrees in LA feels a lot colder than it did in Cleveland!

The cold weather can make us feel tight and frigid.  When I am cold, my shoulders hike all the way up to my ears.  I fold my arms across my chest.  My jaw clenches.  I cross my legs.  My toes and fingers tighten up.  No fun.  My natural inclination is to just curl up into a ball.

All of this tightening constricts blood flow and does not help the body warm up.  Sometimes my mind tells me to just stay inside and drink hot cocoa.  I don’t even want to move I am so cold.  Even with the heat on, I throw on an extra sweater and blanket, yet I still feel chilled to the bone.

The only thing that truthfully warms my body up from the inside out is movement.  As mush as I want to stay curled up, I know better.

We all know how it is.  We may start yoga class with an extra layer and after ten minutes of deep breathing and conscious movement, we start shedding the long sleeve shirt.

In just five to ten minutes of yoga, you can be warm!  I recommend yoga warm ups- ankle, head, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, and knee circles.  This will start your blood circulating from the bottom to the top of your body.  Then practice 3-5 rounds of Sun Salutations.  There are several variations of Sun Salutations, choose the version that suits you!  I did this before my hike yesterday and I felt invigorated.  It also prevented injury from stepping outside into the cold, cold.

When I learned how to create my own heat it was empowering and long lasting.  It was nice not to depend on a an external heating system to be comfortable.

While you are at it, you can turn the thermostat down and save a few bucks:)

Remember to mark your calendars for yoga class this week.  The yoga asana and breath work will keep your body warm from the tips of your toes to the tips of your fingers.

Enjoy yourself, there are no do overs!

Healthy Hugs,

Cindi E. Lee