By itself, yoga can enhance your body, mind, and spirit. In fact, one of the primary benefits of practicing yoga is to achieve a shift in perspective. But, practicing yoga outdoors is both uplifting and inspiring and can add a whole new dimension to your normal routine.
Essentially, the purpose of yoga is to train the mind to be quiet and still. A calm mind has clarity and therefore a clearer outlook on life. Nature has the unique ability to heighten your awareness while intensifying your experience, especially in the amazing grandeur of Yellowstone National Parks. It’s where you can literally become one with nature.
Because Mother Nature can enhance your indoor yoga routine in an entirely different way, get started by throwing on your favorite yoga pants and head out to your favorite park to experience yoga like you’ve never experienced it before. Here are four key benefits of practicing yoga outdoors in order to take it to new and exciting levels.
1. Natural vistas can increase your overall awareness.
Once you leave the square four walls of your home or studio, suddenly all your senses come alive and wake up, including your sight, touch, scent, and sound in order to activate areas of your brain that literally make you more present.
Also, fresh air increases the awareness of your breath. Your mind will naturally be clearer outdoors and therefore empower your practice. Furthermore, researchers have discovered that by looking at amazing and visual-pleasing sceneries, it releases feel-good endorphins in the brain. The color green often has a calm and soothing effect on people, which is the primary color in nature. Also, another bonus is to practice on a somewhat uneven surface in order to strengthen your overall core.
2. Just being in nature can restore your energy
Your nervous system has a built-in ‘fight or flight’ mechanism that’s triggered in times of stress or crisis, which is a primary survival approach as a hunter-gatherer. But, when you spend time outdoors it sends a signal to your brain that your physical body is at ‘home’ in its native surroundings and therefore readjusts itself in order to stay fully alert. This is why people generally experience feelings of vitality and vigor when spending time in a forest, on a beach, or trekking on mountain trails.
3. Practicing yoga outside can further enhance the benefits of meditation
Research illustrates that people who regularly meditate have a substantially smaller amygdala, the area in your brain that manages the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism in addition to how you process your emotions. As a result, studies reveal that individuals who were exposed to an urban setting versus a forest setting had significantly lower cortisol levels overall. Keep in mind that Buddha meditated in the forest, not a meditation hall.
4. Build confidence by practicing yoga in new and different surroundings
Practicing yoga outdoors can help you discover your own personal, creative edge. While familiarity offers security, getting outside your own comfort zone will open the doorway to a whole new interpretation of yoga for you. Imagine the energy of a tree pose as you focus on an actual tree or performing sun salutations with the warmth and energy of the sun touching your face. Your body is literally an instrument, and it’s up to you to decide how you want to ‘play’ it and take it to places it’s never been before or experienced.
It’s good for the human mind, body, soul, and spirit to feel the earth under your feet and let the grass tickle your skin once in awhile. Let the wind softly blow your hair and let the sun wash over you. Therefore, the next time you practice yoga, try it in the natural splendor of the great outdoors to become one with nature and take your practice to new and amazing levels you never though you could reach.
By: Vincent Stockes
Tags: health, Mother Nature, Yoga
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