Boost your energy levels

As Summer comes to an end, prepare body and mind for the onset of the colder weather by boosting energy levels and immunity. 

Yoga is one of the most effective, and of course natural, ways to instantly boost and balance energy levels.

By stretching and strengthening the muscles and massaging the internal organs, toxins are rinsed from the body.

And because yoga encourages you to breath more deeply, and is often taught with specific pranayama (breathing) exercises, the blood receives waves of fresh oxygen - the key to increasing energy levels and revitalising your whole system.

If you have a couple of minues spare during the day, try one of the following:

* Sit with your spine straight. Lengthen the breath (keeping your mouth closed, if possible) so that you count four beats for each inhale and exhale. Gradually start to increase the length of your exhale, so the ratio becomes four on the inhale, eight on the exhale.

*  Take a simple, energising forward bend - Uttanasana.  From standing, bend forward, and catch your hands on your opposite elbows.  Let the upper body hang over your legs, keeping your feet rooted. Breathe out deeply, and feel the spine lengthening. Keep the knees a little bent. Roll up mindfully through the spine on a long inhale.

Also be mindful of your diet: try to eat between five and ten portions of vegetables (and, to a lesser extent, fruit) a day. The odd chocolate bar won't hurt - and, if it's the dark variety, may just do you good! As in everything, balance is the key.

Finally, as daylight is in such short supply, make the most of it by rising by 7am.

For more on Winter Wellbeing, Ayurveda style, click here.

To browse our Winter Warming health kits, click here.