Tips to practice yoga outside

One of the many beauties of yoga is that it can literally be done anywhere. Whether you’re living in the city or the suburbs, you can always join a yoga class at the local studio or practice alone at home. But in addition to these controlled environments, you can enjoy the benefits of yoga by taking it outdoors too. Not only is practicing outdoor yoga totally free, the power of nature also offers incredible revitalizing effects to both your body and mind. So if you’re planning to take up yoga in the open air, we advise you to apply these tips for an exceptional experience.

Watch the time and weather

It’s best to practice outdoor yoga before 10am or after 4pm to avoid direct exposure to the sun. And since some yoga poses like savasana require you to lay flat on your back and look upwards to the sky, the bright sun can be damaging to your eyes. You can minimize the impact of weather conditions by bringing along equipment that allows you to adjust yourself comfortably, whether it’s sunscreen to protect your skin, a towel to cover your eyes and wipe off sweat, or clips to keep your hair under control in a windswept environment.

Pick a nice location

What’s the point of going outside to practice yoga when you’re doing it on hard surfaces or in confined spaces? You have enough of that during indoor yoga classes. It’s time to opt for nature oriented surroundings, like a nice grassy spot under trees with full or partial shade. If you’re tired of the plain view of buildings, roads, and the playground, try finding somewhere with a natural view, even if it’s only a cluster of trees or a small backyard. After all, you’re trying to find a spot where you can feel most relaxed when doing yoga, so avoid any places where you can be distracted by people or loud noises.

Ditch the music

We’re accustomed to practicing yoga in a controlled environment, where music is floating in the air and we’re surrounded by other people. But if you’re selective about the location, you won’t be disturbed by passersby or other practitioners – therefore you should have no need to plug in your headphones to make you less connected with your surroundings. In the absence of music, you can appreciate more fully the sounds of nature around you. Rather than compiling a playlist, enjoy the sounds of nature – birds chirping, leaves fluttering, and the wind blowing will help ease you into your practice.

Lose the yoga mat

Take advantage of the ultimate natural outdoor yoga mat itself: grass. When you’re practicing yoga in a studio, you need to bring along a mat to prevent parts of your body from making contact with hardwood floors. Now you can leave your mat at home, since it bunches up and moves around a lot on uneven ground – a distraction in itself. The contact between grass or the earth and your bare feet awakens your senses and helps you to feel more connected with Mother Nature.
The only way to find out whether outdoor yoga works for you or not is to give it a try. You’ve been spending so much time within four walls that it makes sense to go outside every once in a while and embrace freedom through outdoor yoga.

Interested to see how you can diversify your yoga practices? Drop us a line today and we’ll be in touch with more advice.