What are the benefits of outdoor yoga? 3 reasons to take your workouts outdoors

It’s already warming up outside, and many athletes have started to go outdoors for training. One of the most interesting and soulful practices is outdoor yoga. If you are very fond of meditation and attend group yoga classes in fitness clubs, it is highly recommended that you diversify your training plan with outdoor practices. Why? Let us tell you why.

Dean of the Faculty of Sports Industry at Synergy University, international hatha yoga instructor

We remember that we are not just part of nature, but we are nature itself.

Muscles work harder

If you do yoga by the sea on the sand, the unstable surface can increase the effect of asanas. For example, if you do downward facing dog or warrior pose, your thighs and cortex muscles will be working harder. Balance on the sand is more difficult to hold, so the muscles will have to work harder. The same goes for grass: you’ll have to concentrate more in practice because your hands will be slippery if you’re practicing without a mat. In nature you have to concentrate more anyway, which means that for about 60 minutes you won’t think about anything but yoga.

Anastasia: Practicing next to the sea, with the feeling of the wind on your skin, with birds singing, enhances the experience. It’s a great way to connect with nature and get energized by it. On the sand it is great to practice balances and handstands, landing not as hard as in the gym.

The body is revitalized and oxygenated

Yoga in nature has a huge advantage – it is a breathing practice. In halls we are in a closed space where the air circulates worse. In nature everything happens differently: the body is enriched with oxygen, cellular metabolism accelerates, our body and organs begin to work better. And if you are lucky enough to be near the sea, the benefits of breathing practice will increase even more. The sea air will help improve sleep, relieve stress and fatigue, and increase performance.

Nothing distracts you from meditation

Meditating in nature also has a strong effect on our state of mind. If you manage to find a quiet place in a park or by the sea, you will be able to fully immerse yourself in your thoughts. Nothing will distract you from your practice: neither the noise of cars, nor the karate classes that take place right above your yoga room in the fitness club. It is not necessary to close your eyes during meditation: you can stay open and concentrate, for example, on the noise of the wind or birdsong. The main task of such practice is that thoughts should not spread out. Try to concentrate on one thing at a time.

What are the nuances of practicing in nature?

When practicing outdoors, it is important to remember where you are. Some factors may interfere with you and make you uncomfortable at first. But everything can be prepared for.

Anastasia: Bring sunscreen with a high protection factor. Even if it’s cloudy outside, the rays penetrate through the clouds and burns are left behind. For classes in the evening will not be unreasonable means that repel insects, take care of this in advance.

Nature has been the best medicine for man for centuries. Therefore, the combination of the ancient practice of yoga and the power of nature is the best recipe for good health. You can practice on your own at the dacha, in the park or at the sea. You can join some retreat, hike or discover yoga on sup boards.