Ah, summer\u2026the days get longer, the sun gets stronger. But we can have too much of a good thing. Summer\u2019s solar qualities (heat, projection, activity) equate to sympathetic nervous system stimulation<\/a>. Obvious signs of overheating are feeling irritable, distracted and, well, hot. When we feel uncomfortable, we have the luxury of simply flipping on the A\/C to adjust the external environment. Because yoga pre-dates such modern conveniences, however, yogis developed internal cooling strategies to balance excessive heat, sun or the emotional equivalents (anger, agitation).<\/p>\n One of the bestknown practices for cooling is Sheetali pranayama<\/a>, curling up the sides of the tongue and inhaling the breath as though sipping from a straw. (Those unable to curl the tongue can substitute Seetkari, the hissing breath inhaled through the teeth.) Left-nostril breathing, known as Chandra Bhedana (\u201cmoon passing through\u201d), cools the physical body and is excellent for calming a restless mind.<\/p>\n