I love the outdoors. There’s nothing like getting out into nature and attuning ourselves to the natural world. Did you know that practicing yoga outdoors actually offers a slew of benefits that enhance your overall yoga experience?
Being surrounded by nature during your yoga practice can create a deeper sense of connection with the natural world. Through this attunement with nature, you can ground yourself and feel more present with your surroundings. Through absorbing the benefits of the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors, you will have a greater sense of overall wellness.
Outdoor yoga can provide invigorating fresh air and a natural boost to your practice. The fresh air can help to improve focus, energy levels, and mental clarity. If it’s a sunny day outside, you can also absorb the vitamin D from the sunlight, which improves bone health and immune function, contributing to a healthier overall lifestyle.
This is my favorite aspect of outdoor yoga, which is why last autumn, I held an outdoor yoga class and singing bowls meditation, and I hope to hold one again soon. I find that the tones of the singing bowls mixed with the outdoor sensations to be captivating.
Outdoor settings also offer a wider range of environments to practice in, such as a beach, a park, in a lake, or in your backyard! Each location may inspire creativity and bring new dimensions to your practice in the form of exploring different poses or incorporating elements of the environment into your practice.
Nature has a calming effect on the mind and body. Spending time in nature can have numerous mental health benefits such as reducing anxiety, improving mood, and boosting overall mental wellbeing.
Practicing yoga outdoors, with its soothing ambiance, combined with yoga’s physical movements and breathing exercises can provide a potent stress-reducing experience.
