Even Outside, We Must Go Within
With the nicer days, we all get that itch to take our yoga practice outdoors and options abound for creative ways to do that.
As a lifelong lover of a hot yoga practice, no matter the outdoor climate, I still remain faithful to an indoor practice, cozied up in a heated room. But even so, feeling warm sunshine on my face during practice feeds my soul in different ways from a structured, indoor, studio class.
Previously, we’ve explored benefits and how-to tips for an outdoor walking meditation. This week’s blog can equally apply to any type of outdoor seated meditation or a yoga flow.
Certain tips apply more to the yoga practice itself, while others are suggestions for yoga teachers to apply in order to create the best outdoor experience for students. Read on, and apply what works for you!
Benefits to Outdoor Yoga Practice
Before we dive into the spiritual potential of an outdoor yoga practice, first let’s take a look at the benefits of taking a yoga practice outdoors. Here a just a few:
Vitamin D - We need this nutrient to build and maintain healthy bones. Our bodies make it when our skin is directly exposed to sunlight, like our own human version of a plant’s photosynthesis! Vitamin D is also an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and supports immunity, muscle function, and brain cell activity.
Freedom - Outdoor yoga invites a new dimension of freedom to play on the yoga mat. Especially for individual practice or with a group of yogi friends (outside of a structured, teacher-led yoga class), we can explore all of the posture variations we’ve always wanted to try but never had opportunity to do so. Just remember that even yoga play still calls for mindfulness. I’ve seen too many yoga injuries from “party tricks” where practitioners show off for spectators with out minding proper alignment or body limitations. Have fun, explore, but stay present.
Enhanced Mind-Body Awareness: Practicing yoga in nature can help us become more aware of the body, mind, and our surroundings. With no walls or mirrors to distract us, first, deepen the focus inward on breath and movements, and then observe how the unique outdoor environment affects each of these. Use an outdoor yoga class as an opportunity to develop a deeper sense of mindfulness, presence, and connection.
Variety: Taking a yoga practice outside offers a refreshing change of pace. We can explore different postures and flows with teachers that we already know and love or discover new ones. The unique setting of outdoor practices also introduce their own challenges that bring a freshness to body-mind awareness. Experiencing postures on sand, rocky, lumpy, or unstable ground, and even against the wind brings new challenges to old favorites. Even unpredictable weather brings an element of excitement to an outdoor yoga experience, keeping us alert in the present moment.
Next, Let’s Get Practical
Keep the following in mind to maximize finding your flow outdoors:
Sun protection - Hats, sun glasses and sunscreen are always a must for me. Depending on the ray’s intensity, I also like an SPF rated rash guard. I tend to over protect because I have very fair skin. Choose what works for you.
Sun Glare - Leading an outdoor yoga class? Make sure that your students are not looking directly into the sun so that they can avoid squinting and experience more comfort. I made an exception for this during our annual rooftop sunset summer solstice classes. I positioned the students to see the setting the sun, but deliberately chose an angle where it wasn’t glaring directly into their eyes. Be mindful when you set up outdoor classes.
Mind the Bugs - Always be prepared for unwanted bites, especially if anyone present has any bee sting allergies.
A few years back, while enjoying a great guided yoga practice on the beach, during one-legged-dog, the instructor’s foot in the air got a bee sting! She was super professional and didn’t want to stop the class, but we all agreed that she should take a moment to make sure she wasn’t having any type of serious allergic reaction (it was her first bee sting, so she didn‘t know what to expect) and then take another moment to soak her foot in the cool ocean water to take down any swelling. So "bee" prepared, teachers and students alike!
Stay Hydrated - Dehydration can sneak up on even the most seasoned practitioner, especially in spring when the weather may not yet be particularly hot and humid. Keep an extra bottle of water and some form of electrolytes handy for yourself, your yoga friends, or your yoga students.
Permits and Permission - Public places like beaches, parks and historic sites may require a permit for group activities like a yoga class. Do your research ahead of time so you don’t get unwanted attention from a park ranger or security guard when unrolling your mat!
Sound Considerations - Leading outdoor yoga classes has unique challenges when it comes to sound. Think though if you’ll need a microphone or if your students will be able to hear you without one. Do you need power or an extension cord for any equipment? Is playing music permitted? Again, do your research. These questions will be answered when you apply for a permit.
As an individual enjoying the great outdoors for a private, personal yoga practice, usually the restrictions and rules for group gatherings don’t apply.
Deepen the Yoga Experience
With the practicalities out the way, now we can settle into the fun of outdoor yoga. Anytime we take our yoga practice somewhere new, the opportunity for growth multiplies. That’s a major reason I love offering yoga retreats — participants are receptive to profound levels of transformation. Immersed in new surroundings, consciousness opens up. Senses are naturally heightened.
During yoga retreat classes, the surrounding land, sea, and sky is intoxicatingly ripe with freshness, delighting the 5 senses. The 6th sense of a mindful yogi is tickled awake by the energy of the land vibrating through the minerals of the landscape, while the wisdom of past civilizations whispers in the breeze. Outdoor practice is a magical experience on a West Wind Yoga Retreat.
Here are my favorite ways to harmonize the sacred rhythms of a personal yoga practice with the external vibrations of the great outdoors, even right from your home turf:
Listen to the Sounds of Nature Instead of a Playlist: The greater the mind’s stillness, the more animated life becomes around us. This is so wonderful to discover! When existing in harmony with our surroundings, the natural habitat feels less threatened and is more willing to show themselves going about their own natural business. This also connects to the yoga siddhi associated with Ahimsa (non-violence): You’ll attract only peaceful situations when you're in a constant state of Ahimsa.
During a retreat a few years back in Costa Rica, a pair of hummingbirds visited us during afternoon yoga class. The experience was strangely moving. Students still recall it today as a magical moment. Each student had their own experience of what the birds symbolized.
Use Feng Shui Directional Wisdom to Enhance Your Yoga Practice Intentions: A good view isn't the only way to enhance an outdoor yoga practice. Let Taoist Feng Shui wisdom supercharge your practice intentions.
Calling in a new beginning? Face east.
Letting go? Face West.
Cultivating introspective soul searching? Face North.
Seeking greater harmony and prosperity in your relationships or career? Face South.
Connect with the Elements: Embrace the opportunity outdoor yoga provides to physically connect with the elements in a more tangible way. Feel the sun's warmth on your skin, an expression of the Fire element, or the wind's coolness on your face, an expression of the Wood element. Notice Mother Earth‘s stability beneath your feet and the sound of flowing water or dew from the grass as a physical expression of the Water element. You can also incorporate the elements into your asanas by using mudras, visualizations, and affirmations.
Practice Gratitude: Being in nature can inspire feelings of gratitude and awe, which are important components of a spiritual practice. Take a moment to express gratitude for the natural beauty around you, for your body's ability to move and breathe, and for a yoga practice that unites the inner and outer worlds.
In Closing
Even the most dedicated and routine yoga practitioner can benefit from taking yoga outdoors, whether for a quiet meditation, a short sequence or immersive yoga retreat. Yoga practice naturally cultivates inner stillness. Practicing outdoors simply reminds us to observe all of the nuances yoga awakens within us. When we feel more comfortable and confident being ourselves, no matter the environment, we connect more easily with our inner wisdom, which in turn connects us to the abundance, possibilities, and peace of the universe.
Thanks so much for reading. I appreciate when you reach back to me with comments! Thank you! Please share with others who would enjoy and benefit from the content.
Namaste,
Lara
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