Water Yoga a.k.a Aqua Yoga or Pool Yoga is yet another modern adaptation of the age old art of Yoga and a convenient way to beat the heat this summer without missing out on your fitness. Using the same poses as traditional yoga with minor modifications this type of yoga can be performed in any medium of water, be it a swimming pool, beach or lake taking things to a deeper level.

Aqua yoga is a great activity to take up after a high-intensity workout as a cool-down stretch or any time of the day on its own. Ideal water depth is chest-high, which provides the perfect amount of resistance yet allows you to crouch or bend a little as most poses require. Besides being just another type of yoga, performing yoga asanas (yoga poses) in water is recommended for people recovering from surgery or those with restricted movements as the water not only relaxes the muscles but also support your weight. Other than being a good restorative workout, water yoga allows you to work on getting deeper into a pose and holding it longer without fatigue.

Poses such as the Warrior poses, Tree pose, Triangle pose with the support of the pool wall and even back-bends against the wall are recommended for Pool yoga. Take the warrior pose for example- Place your feet leg-length apart, and lunge one leg forward. When your shoulder comes out of the water, slowly lift arms to the sky with the toes of your rear-positioned foot turned slightly inwards. Sinking your lower body into the water, lift the upper body (stretching out, at the ribs). Your arms should be straight. Squeeze the shoulder blades together and lift chest up and forward. Tuck your pelvis in and push your tailbone towards the pool bottom, keeping your feet aligned avoid moving your knee past your ankle. Ensure that your arms are beside your ears. Hold for 10 seconds to one minute, depending on your comfort level. Switch sides and hold for the same amount of time.

So this summer, if your sticky mat gets a little too sticky, take your practice into the pool and you’ll be chanting H2Om instead of just Om!

*Photo credits: photos by pocketmonsterd, randomtruth, Homies In Heaven on flickr.