Moving Through Summer: A Guide to Practicing in the Heat
Published: July 2025 | 4 min read
Dubai summer. Those two words are enough to make anyone retreat to the nearest air-conditioned space. But what if I told you that mindful movement during our hottest months could actually help you cope better with the heat?
Working With, Not Against, the Season
In my public health work, I learned that fighting against environmental conditions usually backfires. The same applies to movement practices. Summer isn't the time to push harder; it's the time to move smarter.
Why Summer Practice Feels Different
The heat affects us more than we realize:
Dehydration happens faster
Energy naturally dips
Sleep often suffers
Motivation can wane
This isn't weakness; it's biology. And honoring these changes is wisdom, not giving up.
Adapting Your Practice
Timing Is Everything Early morning (before 8 AM) or evening (after 7 PM) makes a huge difference. Your body will thank you.
Choose Cooling Practices
Yin yoga over power flow
Gentle stretches over intense holds
Breathing exercises that cool (try breathing through pursed lips)
Restorative poses that don't build heat
Hydration Beyond Water Yes, drink water. But also:
Add a pinch of good salt to your water
Eat water-rich foods
Don't drink ice-cold liquids during practice (room temperature is better)
The Power of Less Summer is nature's way of telling us to slow down. A 20-minute gentle practice beats skipping movement entirely because you can't face a full hour.
Creating Your Summer Sanctuary
Whether at home or in a studio:
Use fans strategically (not directly on you while holding poses)
Keep a damp cloth nearby
Wear natural, breathable fabrics
Remember: sweating is cooling, not failing
Embracing Seasonal Rhythms
There's something profound about aligning our practices with the seasons. Summer teaches us that strength sometimes looks like knowing when to rest, that consistency doesn't mean rigidity, and that adapting is advancing.
As we move through these hot months together, remember: your summer practice might look different from your winter one, and that's exactly as it should be.
Looking for heat-friendly classes? Our summer schedule includes extra Yin sessions and adapted practice times.