Generating and Preserving Heat

One of the great benefits of yoga practice is generating heat in the body. Heat relaxes the body and helps it function optimally. We can generate internal heat through breathing exercises (Pranayama) and bodily postures (Asana). The most advanced yogis can control their circulation and body heat through pure concentration (Dharana).

Once we generate this heat, it is just as important to preserve it in the body. Or, more specifically, to not waste it by releasing it into the air. The most common way that we waste our heat is by putting ourselves in warm situations. Anytime the air is warmer than the skin temperature, our bodies release heat. It is visually noticeable when our skin gets red - this is blood coming to the surface of the skin to release heat into the air. Even further is sweating, which transfers lots of heat away from the body through evaporation.

An easy way to preserve heat in the body is to take a cool shower. Have you ever noticed that when you take a hot shower, the skin gets red? That is the body releasing excess warmth. You don't have to take a cold shower from beginning to end, but try turning the water cool at the end of the shower. Let it run over every part of your body and notice your skin go back to its normal color. It is taking its blood and heat back to the inside. This will keep the heat within your body for a longer period of time, so you should be more comfortable and more relaxed from the inside out.

There are legendary yogis who would go up into the snowy mountains to meditate. They soaked sheets in ice water and draped the them over their bodies. Through meditation and breathing techniques, the yogis could dry the sheets with nothing more than body heat.