Practicing Yoga in Nature: Benefits Beyond the Mat

Hello lovely yogis and nature lovers!

Are you excited to take your practice deeper and connect to the world around you in a new way? Today, we’re stepping off the mat and into nature for a little “yoga in nature” experience.

Most of us spend almost all the time of our day indoors working in offices or doing nothing or a few things at home, and if we begin to do our yoga also inside the walls, it makes no sense, so as someone who has done both indoors as well as outdoors, we can tell you there is nothing better than yoga outdoors.

It’s a true nourishment for the mind, body, and soul. As we all know, there is no better teacher than nature itself, and learning something in the lap of it is worth every second.

Why Outdoor Yoga? 

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We all have our beloved yoga studios, but there’s a special kind of magic that happens with doing yoga outdoors. In Bali, we are surrounded by beautiful nature that has beaches and mountains. It’s inthe perfect setting to embrace outdoor yoga, and Maa Shakti Yog Bali, regularly take our students outdoors to practice in these magical surroundings

1. Intensified Sensory Experience: Picture your downward-facing dog with the gentle breeze against your skin, or the warmth of the sun inviting you to relax into your pose on the fresh, sweet scent of blooming flowers and meditate to the singing of the birds or the mellow sound of the sea here in Bali. The outdoor experience is enlivening and inspiring and can awaken all of your senses!
2. A Deeper Connection to the Earth: When practicing yoga on grass or sand, you literally have your feet on the ground. When you are able to connect with the earth, it enhances the feeling of groundedness and connectedness, which can create an amazing feeling of being part of something larger. It’s a fantastic approach to practicing grounded yoga.
3. Suppliers of Natural Energy: The sunlight, water flow, mountain beauty, and pure air are all amazing. Stale studio air is replaced by fresh air, and you may now truly begin to feel energised once more. It can be pleasant to do yoga outside, especially in vinyasa flow.
4. Mood Improvement & Stress Reduction: Reconnecting with nature has been shown to have a positive impact on mood and stress levels. Combine that with the stress-relieving effects of yoga, and you have a very beneficial mix for feeling content! Practicing yoga for reducing stress becomes even more effective when done in nature.
5. Natural Stimuli for Mindfulness: The beauty of nature is a great teacher of mindfulness. Paying attention to the details of a single leaf, or taking notice of a flock of birds flying overhead, or observing the current of a sea can bring your attention back to the present. You could significantly improve your mindfulness, meditation, and movement practices by focusing on all aspects of nature and practicing outdoors.

Finding Your Perfect Outdoor Yoga Spot

There is no need to go to a towering mountain landscape to enjoy nature yoga. The local park, your garden, a secluded beach, or your patio can all be great spaces for you to enjoy yoga outside. Look for a space that has these qualities:

• Quiet and Peaceful: At minimum, keep distractions to a minimum while you engage in your practice. Find a time to practice when there is little foot traffic and city noises are minimal to you.
• Facing a Safe and Stable Surface: The surface does not have to be perfect or clean, but generally even and clean is better. It is great to practice on a yoga mat for comfort and to keep it cleaner, but when the surface is nice and you’re getting earthy vibes, feel free to practice without a mat for some positions.
• Comfortable Temperature and Shade: Weather is a huge consideration. Early mornings, late afternoons, and evenings are generally cooler and could be preferable times to avoid the hottest part of the day. An area beneath a tree can help you avoid direct sunlight.

Our Favorite Outdoor Yoga Poses

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Here are some poses that are particularly special to do outside:

• Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Standing tall, feel the strength of the earth helping you ground and steady yourself. Allow yourself to feel the earth beneath you like a mountain; it is unwavering. Close your eyes and enjoy how the tiniest breeze sweeps across your skin; even on the busiest of days, there will be something there to remind you of this now. 
• Tree Pose (Vrksasana): This is such an excellent pose to practice outdoors. Allow yourself to sway like the tree to the current of the smallest breeze; ground down, be steady, and find your balance like a tree. Keep your gaze on something that is not moving, like a tree far off or a cloud. 
• Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II): “Powerful” can be defined as a feeling of tension and expansiveness, which is what you can feel while gazing behind your limbs along the horizon with your feet wide apart. Expanding your arms and legs outward gives this pose a flush of authority, power, and a sense of connection to the natural surroundings in open space. 
• Savasana (Corpse Pose): This must be one of the best methods to practice resting; there is nothing like lying in Savasana with the sun washed across your gently closed eyelids while the natural sounds of your surroundings gently guide you into rest. The most restorative yoga is in nature. Surrender to the elements of nature as best as you can and receive.

Pro Tips for Your Outdoor Practice

• Dress in layers: temperatures can fluctuate, so packing layers gives you the opportunity to adjust as you see fit.
• Stay hydrated: Always carry some water, especially on warmer days.
• Be ready for bugs: Natural bug spray can save you!
• Leave no trace: Show respect for nature by either leaving your place cleaner than you found it or at least as clean.

So, are you ready to take your practice outside? Our 200 hour yoga teacher training course in Bali gives you the chance to practice yoga in stunning natural settings while deepening your knowledge and becoming a certified teacher