Happy July friends! The weather in the PNW this summer has been nothing short of amazing !! (aside from that early June heatwave of course!) since I am one of the 56% of folks without AC in the Seattle Metro area…. I felt like I was going into battle everyday trying to combat the extreme heat with fans, ice, and even tinfoil….

It has been great to get outside and play in the sunshine (when it’s not 100 degrees). Today I will be sharing 30 ways to integrate yoga into your summer!

We are all obviously aware of the amazing benefits of our physical practice (asana) but It is also awesome to practice (and to teach our kids) other facets of our practice, including stillness, gratitude and kindness. Yoga is a practice of transforming and benefitting every aspect of life. If we can learn to be kind, truthful and use our energy in a worthwhile way, we will not only benefit ourselves with our practice, but everything and everyone around us, so I came up with a list of 30 ways to integrate yoga into your summer. Complete with links for additional information and lots freebies!!

30 ways to integrate yoga into your summer

  1. Make up games with yoga cards for kids

  2. Act out yoga books for kids

3. Practice calming yoga poses at bedtime

4. Sit silently and meditate every day for 5 to 15 minutes

5. Deliver food to someone who needs help

6. Offer to do yard work for a neighbor

7. Practice mindful breathing as you are waiting in line

8. Practice mindful gardening.

9. Write in a Gratitude Journal every day

10. Eat mindfully and savor every bite

11. Practice partner yoga poses together

12. Make gratitude stones

13. Play yoga-pose bingo

14. Practice family yoga in the park

15. Attend a kids yoga class at your local studio

16. Practice restorative yoga poses after a busy summer day

17. Take pictures of your children practicing yoga poses and create a book

18. Practice yoga at your family reunion

19. Color mandalas

20. Chose a breathing technique and practice together

21. Make up yoga games (ex. yogi says, yoga Pictionary, strike a pose, freeze yoga tag) or yoga Jenga

22. Practice one Sun Salutation every morning

23. Set an intention (sankalpa) for the summer

24. Create a positive mantra and repeat it to yourself every day

25. Invite friends and neighbors over and host a Yoga summer camp.

26. Commit to five minutes per day of meditation, movement, or mindfulness

27. Plan some outdoor activities and talk about healthy snacking

28. Practice calming exercises

29. Spend time in nature and listen to the sounds

30. Practice getting upside down!

I love all of these activities and will be practicing many of them with my girls. I hope some or maybe all of these ideas will work for your family as well!

Namaste - Cassy