Time To Take It Outdoors!

Summer has just come to an end and Fall is upon us and If you haven’t taken your yoga practice outside yet you are missing out! There are only a few more weeks of my twilight yoga class so please take advantage of it while its here and the weather is nice! There is nothing more therapeutic than practicing yoga as the sun is setting and the day is unwinding!

Even if you can’t make it to my twilight class you should consider taking your own practice outdoors. Studies show that when compared to indoor exercise, outdoor exercise led to increased mental benefits with greater feelings of revitalization, increased energy and decreased stress and depression. They also report that outdoor yoga can lead to an improvement in spiritual, emotional and psychological well being, as opposed to studio yoga or indoor exercise.

Benefits of Outdoor Yoga:

-      It’s a challenge. Anybody can practice yoga inside on a mat but it adds a completely different element when you put your feet on the sand or on the grass. The uneven ground and the wind in your face require you to make adjustments to your asanas and can add new life to your practice.

-      Vitamin D! Get it the natural way. Vitamin D can have a profound effect on mood; so if you are feeling down, take your mat and practice outside for the day. There is just something to be said about doing a sun salutation outside.

-      The best free soundtrack ever. Next time you do yoga outdoors take time to listen to the wind, the bird, or the waves on the beach. There is nothing more relaxing than tuning into nature!

-      Improves your focus and mindfulness. Taking your practice outdoors will help you get out of the same routine that you have been doing. By allowing yourself to experience something new, you are able to really focus on your experience at hand.

-      Meditate and cultivate gratitude. Nature helps facilitate a sense of peace and reminds us to be still. It is the perfect place to quite the mind for meditation. It can remind us that we have everything that we need: air to breath, the sun for warmth, flowers for beauty, fruit and vegetables to eat. Contemplating on these things and finding stillness can bring much peace.

Namaste

www.gobodiyoga.com