Yoga in Nature

At the top of a mountain, on the seashore, in the depths of a forest, an open field or your own back garden, yoga outdoors has endless benefits and provides a beautiful change of scenery. Open space offers us a freedom that cannot be found within the confines of the yoga studio or inside our own homes.

The foundations of yoga are rooted in nature. Experiencing our practice outside encourages a deeper connection to the natural world. It’s an opportunity to use all five senses and meditate on the sights, smells and sounds of nature – engaging all of the senses to explore our surroundings – the grass underfoot, warmth of the sun, birdsong, waves crashing onto the seashore, connecting with the earth.

There are many benefits to be gained from spending time in the open air and yoga fits perfectly. With a little preparation you can ensure that your practice will be safe, comfortable and relaxing.

Aim to practice in the morning or evening to escape the heat of midday. You could find a shady spot underneath a tree or you may prefer a sunny spot. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and cover up or use a 30 SPF+ sunscreen. A towel or eye pillow is useful to block the sunlight from your eyes during the closing relaxation.

Insects can be a problem for some – especially around sunrise and sunset. Biting mosquitoes and flies buzzing around can be a real distraction. If, as they do with me, they like to take a little nibble, consider using some insect repellent. I find the most effective natural repellent to be Incognito. The active ingredients are plant based, it doesn’t contain DEET or other harmful pesticides, smells quite pleasant and is widely available. https://www.lessmosquito.com

You can keep your yoga in nature simple, practicing barefoot on soft grass. Connecting to the earth with our bare hands and feet is grounding and energising. Yoga without a mat can also bring another dimension to our practice. Feet and hands may move more smoothly, but also need to work harder to find stability.

You may prefer a mat beneath you. The natural hazards to hands and feet and other body parts such as sharp stones and prickly plants could serve as another distraction preventing full focus on the practice. It’s good to have a yoga mat on hand – yoga in nature is wonderful, as long as you don’t end up stepping on a stinging nettle or sharp stone.

Choosing a forest or woodland setting for your practice is a wonderfully wise move. Time spent in nature provides exposure to phytoncides produced by the trees, which have been linked to lower adrenaline levels and many other positive health benefits in studies.

Another study has found that walking and then observing the scenery in a woodland or open green space lowers the blood presssure more than if you engaged in the same activities in an urban environment.

There is nothing more wonderful than feeling the sun on your face, breeze in your hair and fresh, clean air in your lungs as you move through your outdoor practice, There is great pleasure to be had in concluding your practice beneath a shady tree in a well deserved Savasana.

Flow, get grounded, meditate in the open air to restore the well-being, energy levels and balance within your mind and body.