10 Benefits of practicing yoga outside

By Hanne

Have you ever practiced yoga outdoors in the nature? Did you know that simple move from in to out can bring more benefits into your practice? In this post, I will share 10 benefits of practicing yoga outside.

10 Benefits of practicing yoga outside

1. Salute the Sun

Sun salutations (=Surya Namaskaras) are an essential part of yoga practice. It sequence we often do at the beginning of the practice to warm up the body. When you practice outside, you can salute the sun for real and feel the warmth of it on your skin. What could be better than actually reaching your arms up towards the sun while practicing your Surya Namaskaras?

2. Breath in the new fresh life force energy = prana

The awareness of breath is an essential part of yoga. That’s why it makes perfect sense to breathe in the pure fresh air. It is entirely different to breathe indoors than it is outside in nature. Fresh air is full of oxygen, and when you take your practice outside in nature (park or garden, for example), where trees can surround you, you can breathe in the purest air possible. Fresh air makes it easier to breathe, and it can lift your practice to a whole new level. Go ahead, take a deep breath and enjoy the fresh life force energy flowing into your lungs.

3. Feel grounded

“Find your foundation” or “feel grounded” is probably something that your yoga teacher has said in a yoga class. When you are pressing your feet or hands against green grass outside in nature, you finally understand the phrase’s meaning and feel connected to the earth. Being barefoot on the earth can relieve muscle tension, improve your sleep, increase energy, and lower stress levels. And for all the people, especially those living in the west, taking off the shoes outside takes us right back to our childhood, when running out barefoot was natural for us. Of course, being barefoot also trains those tiny muscles on the feet.

Balancing in Eagle pose Under the Sky

4. Lift your gaze to the sky

Drishti is a Sanskrit term for sight or focused yogic gaze. It is a tool or method used in asana practice to bring you closer to Dharana (=concentration) and pratyahara (=sense withdrawal). It definitely has its place in yoga practice, not to mention huge benefits, but sometimes it might be nice to expand that gaze from the tip of your nose up to the sky or the horizon. By doing this, you might find a state of relaxation that you have never experienced before. So, enjoy the fantastic beauty of nature and your surroundings.

5. Take your asanas back to nature

Vrksasana (=tree pose) or Garudasana (=eagle pose) might get a whole new meaning if you can see big sturdy green trees or an eagle flying above you you are practicing or while you are in that actual pose. Trees around might be good to lean onto with your poses. Maybe practice your tree side by side with a tree, and at the end of the pose, as you are exiting, give the tree a nice big hug. And you can feel the decades of wisdom its’ trunk holds. Suddenly, you might get the feeling that you are part of nature, united as one.

6. Challenge your balance

Balance might sometimes be hard to find while practicing inside, but you can challenge yourself once you take your practice outside. And even though finding your balance might sometimes be frustrating, keep in mind these great benefits: The uneven surface builds the small muscles on your feet, knees, hips, and spine. If you can maintain your balance easily indoors, taking the practice outside adds an extra challenge to the poses. And this way, you might find the practice more rewarding, refreshing, and even more fun.

Relieve Stress and Be Present

7. Stress relieve

When you spend time outside in nature, you send a signal to your brains that your body is back in its natural environment. Spending time outdoors reduces the levels of the stress hormone. It might lift your mood immediately, or in general, make you feel calmer. Daylight boosts your energy even during a short practice. The unique and different sounds around you improve your listening skills and connect with your inner self. And even if you still can hear sounds of the city during your practice, this might be your opportunity to learn how to relax, even when the surroundings aren’t serene.

8. Be present

Nature awakens our senses. You can see in the distance, notice the natural colors, hear birds singing and feel the soft breeze on your skin. All these awaken your senses. And as a result, you can feel more present in your life each moment. Not only does nature awaken your senses, but it also calms the mind. It can be easier to be present in your practice while in nature than when you practice at home.

9. Stack the vitamin D levels

When the sun is out, you can take advantage of it and stack your vitamin D levels with an all-natural source of vitamin D. And don’t worry if the sun is hiding behind the clouds. Vitamin D is still available, and your body can automatically take advantage of it. And what is the best part: It is free, just go get it!

Bliss

10. Feel the state of bliss

Do you know the amazing feeling after the yoga practice? I promise you it will be even more fantastic after practicing outside. I mean, you have been saluting the sun, breathing the fresh air, pressing your bare feet onto the grass. You have been gazing as far as the eye can see, standing on your tree pose surrounded by trees, giving your balance an extra challenge, relaxing in nature, being present, and stacking up your vitamin D levels. There is no other possibility but to feel absolutely fantastic.

You just entered into a state of ananda (= bliss)!

Now that you know the benefits of practicing yoga outside just go enjoy all them <3

PS. Initially, I was asked to write about this topic back in 2019 already by Chinmay Yoga School (Dharamsala, India). I was, of course, honored to do. This is now a re-written version of the text I wrote back then, and hopefully, it inspires you to go outside for your yoga practice.

Chinmay Yoga is a Yoga School in Dharamsala, India. It works to spread yoga knowledge by providing free drop-in classes, conducting International Yoga Alliance certification with amazing homemade food, excellent accommodation air-conditioning, and very knowledgeable yoga teachers from India. Chinmay Yoga also works for nature and surroundings by planting trees and installing dustbins in the city.

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