Yoga is no longer limited to the four corners of a studio, usually complete with relaxing lights and music playing in the background. Nowadays, yoga has moved outdoors with many group classes enjoying the benefits of the fresh air whilst performing a series of poses.
Practicing yoga outdoors will not only allow you to enjoy the outdoors and be surrounded by a beautiful view, it will also help you achieve more balance and mindfulness in life. By practicing yoga outdoors as opposed to a controlled environment, such as in the confines of a small room, you will be able to better train your mind to be calmer regardless of what external variables are surrounding you.
However, there are things to consider when potentially transitioning your daily yoga class to an outside environment. You will need to find a place where there is stable ground so you can practice yoga safely. At the same time, you will also need to practice in an open space where you can do the positions without causing injury to yourself or to other people. The shape suggests getting a thicker yoga mat for when you practice outdoors to help smooth out uneven surfaces. On the other hand, different yoga Journal says it is possible to not use a yoga mat when outdoors, as it can actually intensify a yoga posture. The rule of thumb is to go for a mat that helps avoid injury since it provides a more stable base for you to practice the different yoga positions. Make sure to check the ground before you get settled to see if there are any sharp objects that could potentially hurt you. If so, clean the area, and you’re good to start.
As with other outdoor workouts, you need to prepare yourself physically before heading out. Aside from your yoga mat, make sure to bring some water and a towel. Wear sunscreen in order to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. If possible, try to do yoga early in the morning or in the late afternoon so you don’t have to deal with extreme heat, as well as exposing yourself to harmful UV rays. If you’re practicing near a wooded area, it would also be a good idea to apply insect repellent to avoid getting bitten by insects, especially if you plan to do yoga at night.
Another item that may help you if you’re just starting out with outdoor yoga is to have a music player with you. Wearing headphones can help you better concentrate when practicing yoga because it will keep you from succumbing to distractions. If the focus isn’t a problem, then you can remove the headphones.
If it helps, you can even bring your dog with you. While it’s not so much a growing trend in yoga, we all know just how flexible yoga has become over the years. This season on Britain’s Got Talent, a contestant introduced the concept of dog yoga to the panel of judges as well as the show’s viewers. The reality show now has a global audience even branching out to the series’ immense popularity. And while dog yoga was certainly a new topic on the show, it was well received by the audience and judges.
While it didn’t quite end well for the contestant, this could be a fun thing to try if you’re a dog lover. It will also help you to get your dog outside of the house and even provide them with a bit of additional exercise too.
The beauty of yoga is that it is flexible enough that practitioners can enjoy the benefits anytime as long as they have a conducive environment to get started. If you’re new to yoga, don’t worry, because there are now classes taking place in most communities across the world – indoors and outdoors. You just need to do a little bit of research to find classes being held in or near your home.