Yoga is about being present in the moment and being part of all that is. Being in nature helps us to make that connection. The benefits of practicing yoga outdoors are many.
Whether in the mountains, at the beach, or even your backyard, the benefits of practicing yoga outdoors include bringing new elements and new inspiration to your practice.
This spring, why not take your practice outdoors and experience the many benefits and challenges of practicing outside? Here’s why taking your yoga practice outside is an excellent idea.
The benefits of practicing yoga outdoors include the following:
Heightened Awareness
There are many benefits to practicing yoga outdoors. Practicing yoga in nature enhances your practice in beautiful and exciting ways. It increases internal focus and wakeful relaxation. Both important parts of a rewarding practice.
Practicing outside, stimulates our senses in a way that doesn’t happen inside. Our sight, sense, and touch are stimulated, and as a result, we become more present. The feel of grass or a sandy beach underneath our feet, or even a gentle breeze caressing our skin. All of which helps to bring us into the present moment.
Better Balance
Outdoor yoga provides a true balance challenge. It calls us to a heightened awareness due to the uneven natural surfaces of grass, sand, or the moss in a wooded setting. The more we are challenged in our practice, the stronger we grow in our abilities.
However, when balancing inside, we have more control over our environment. When practicing outside, we are challenged to welcome the elements of the outdoors and to let go of our requirements for how things should be. We must embrace our outdoor environment and manage our approach as we move toward balancing poses.
Increased Strength in Body and Mind
Yoga helps us to build strength in all areas of ourselves, whether in body or in our mind. Taking our practice outside compels us to be more in tune with our physical and mental state, therefore challenging us in ways that practicing inside cannot do.
The outdoors challenges us to use more of our physical and core strength to remain stable on uneven terrain. Practicing outdoors calls us to use our mental strength to stay focused when distractions occur, such as loud noises, other living beings, and even weather changes.
Deeper Connection With Nature and Ourselves
The best part of practicing outdoors is the opportunity to align with the rhythm of nature. We then experience the wonder of the outdoors and meanwhile, incorporating that wonder and inspiration in our practice. A beautiful sunset, an ocean breeze, towering trees, soft grass, or sand, remind of the wonder of nature and the beauty all around us.
As we move out of the yoga studio and into nature, we challenge our ability to feel balanced in any situation. Practice outdoors, and you take yoga off the mat and into the world, where the environment isn’t designed for ease or comfort.
Meanwhile, there is much to learn about ourselves when we take our practice outside. Watching how we react, adjust, and move into a new setting, and how practicing yoga outdoors might reflect our actions in life.
Practicing outside is an excellent way to balance an inside practice. This happens by learning new ways of connecting and growing through yoga. This summer, take some time to soak in the benefits of an outdoor yoga practice and challenge every aspect of your yoga practice. Build strength and stability. Feel the power of nature. Connect deeply with your practice and yourself!
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