Tips for a Summer Yoga Practice: An Interview with Landen Stacy

Today’s guest blog interview is with one of my best friends and my boss at the yoga studio! Landen offers some tips on practicing yoga in the summer.

Please tell us who you are and what you do.

Hi, I’m Landen Stacy, owner of Emerald Yoga Studio. I am a yoga instructor, business owner, and creative entrepreneur––not necessarily in that order. 

It's summer! What advice do you have for someone who'd like to start a yoga practice in the summer?

Summer is a great time to start a yoga practice, especially if you have a work schedule that changes seasonally! This might mean you are available for even more classes than during the school year. My advice for someone who would like to start yoga is that summer is one of the best times to create a new routine. Most people think they can only set up a ritual or habit on New Year’s, but the summer months are full of sun energy. The days start earlier, it’s light out for longer, and the extra time off that some of us enjoy is best spent trying something new. 

What advice do you have for someone who already practices?

My advice for someone who already practices is simple: “Don’t stop!” Just because summer is here and you may have more time away from work and home doesn’t mean you need to give up on your yoga practice. It is much easier to maintain a habit than it is to start from square one. Even if you’re out of town or out of state, you no longer have to worry about missing class. You can still join us virtually to keep your practice moving forward. The best part? Yoga is pretty easy to do from just about anywhere. Your mat doesn’t take up a lot of room in the car. They sell foldable yoga mats that fit in a carry-on. You don’t have to worry about lugging around a bunch of equipment just to be able to take a class.

How does the hot weather benefit the practice, and how does it make it more challenging?

The hot weather benefits the yoga practice by increasing joint flexibility and spinal mobility, and it even encourages you to drink more water since you will be sweating more. This is why so many people flock to year-round hot yoga. On the other hand, hot weather may make your practice more challenging if you’re someone who struggles with the heat (like me!). Some people may think their bodies are “all warmed up” and end up injuring themselves by overstretching. The heat can also cause dehydration, leading to even more health problems.

What's your favorite pose or yogic technique to cool off?

My favorite way to cool off is to take savasana in an air-conditioned room. If I am practicing from home in front of my windows, sometimes I will retreat to my bedroom to enjoy my savasana, where it is cooler. Our bodies can drop in temperature when we are at rest, so I think I can relax deeper by putting myself in a colder environment.

Do you have a favorite cold drink recipe you can share?

My favorite cold drink recipe is one I use year-round. I make this in a big pitcher so that I can enjoy it anytime. I combine two squeezed lemons (and sometimes just slice the leftovers up and toss those in, too) in a gallon pitcher with about two tablespoons of grated fresh ginger root, water, and sometimes one tablespoon of honey. After adding the water in, I will stir the mixture around and drain it to remove any pulp or extra pieces from the ginger. This drink is excellent for your digestive system––especially if you drink it at room temperature, and it’s a quick way to rehydrate after being out in the sun. 

What do you like to read? What are some of your favorite books and authors?

I mainly read non-fiction books. I am currently on an audiobook kick since I moved and got a new library card with free audiobooks right on my phone. I find that listening to audiobooks while I clean or drive helps me to concentrate on them more. I never pick favorites for books/movies/TV shows because they constantly change!

What are you looking forward to this summer?

I am looking forward to doing some of my favorite outdoor activities like kayaking, swimming, camping, hiking, and of course, geocaching. I would love to plan a vacation to recharge since I haven’t taken more than a day off since the pandemic began, and as a business owner, it’s been long overdue. I am also hoping to spend some time on my self-care this summer.

How can readers get in touch with you to check out the Emerald Yoga Studio community and all you have to offer?

You can follow along with Emerald Yoga Studio by following our social media:
- Our VIP Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/emeraldyogagems
- Facebook Page: facebook.com/EmeraldYogaStudio/
- Instagram: instagram.com/emeraldyogastudio/
- Website: emeraldyoga.com
- Newsletter: bit.ly/emerald-newsletter