One of the many beauties of yoga is that you can literally practice it anywhere. And aside from the fact that it's easier to maintain social distancing outdoors, nature adds a very special touch to your practice.

A study by Roger S. Ulrich, landscape scientist and pioneer of the concept of Healing Architecture – the healing power of design – revealed that observing nature has a positive effect on our psychological health. In particular, organically occurring patterns in branches and leaves sharpen awareness and inner focus – two things every yogi strives for.

But these aren't the only reasons why you should take your mat outside during the warmer months. This article will show you five phenomenal benefits of outdoor yoga and give you inspiration for a harmonious practice in nature.

Sharpen your senses with outdoor yoga

5 Benefits of Outdoor Yoga

1. Spending time in nature replenishes your energy reserves.

When you spend time outdoors, signals are sent to your brain that your body is back in its natural environment. According to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, for example, spending time in forested areas increases feelings of strength and vitality. This is pure fuel for a dynamic Vinyasa flow.

When we are in a natural environment, our bodies are stimulated to produce white blood cells, which in turn strengthens our immune system. Fresh air also encourages us to breathe more deeply. The additional oxygen helps our brain to function better and more clearly.

Researchers at the University of Southern California also found that viewing a beautiful landscape releases endorphins. A natural environment therefore enhances the already positive effects of yoga on your health, energy levels, and sense of well-being.

2. Outdoor yoga creates a new body awareness

Trying outdoor yoga for the first time can feel unfamiliar. It's easy to confidently perform asanas when practicing in the comfort of your own home. Outdoors, there are so many elements beyond your control that many poses can present a new challenge.

While familiarity gives you a sense of security, leaving your comfort zone opens a gateway to a completely new interpretation of yoga practice. Imagine the power of sun salutations under actual sunbeams, or the vibrancy of a tree pose while focusing on a real tree instead of a point on the wall.

3. Mother Nature enhances the meditation effect

There are now a number of studies showing that even 20 minutes in nature can help reduce stress – a fundamental element of the meditation practice of many yogis.

People exposed to a forest environment rather than an urban environment have significantly lower concentrations of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood. This is shown by the results of a field study published in the Japanese journal Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine.

Outdoor yoga also sharpens your senses. You notice the light breeze on your skin, feel the small unevenness under your feet, and hear the rustling of leaves or the chirping of birds. You automatically become more mindful.

4. Outdoor yoga promotes muscle development and balance

Uneven, natural surfaces like sand, grass, or forest floor can intensify the physical effects of a yoga pose. Practicing on uneven ground like sand builds the secondary muscles of a yogi's feet, hips, knees, spine, and shoulders.

A slight deviation from the level floor of your apartment, caused by natural terrain, also improves your balance. Unevenness might seem distracting at first, and patience is required to master the asanas. But the more often you practice yoga outdoors, the more focused your perception becomes, and your sense of balance transforms into a magical tool.

5. You will become part of something bigger

Many aspects of yoga are indeed about being in the moment and at one with nature or the universe. That's why so many asanas reflect animals and nature.

By shaping your body into the form of a tree or a stretching cat, spreading your arms gracefully like a bird's wings, or aligning your breathing with the cycle of the waves, you create a connection to nature, the universe, and yourself. You become part of something greater.

Where can I do yoga outdoors?

SUP yoga will take your balance to the next level.

Consider the environment you feel connected to. In the park, the forest, by a river or lake, on a rooftop, or in the garden – outdoor yoga is possible anywhere. Whether alone or with other yogis, you can practice asanas anywhere, and every location offers a new experience.

If you're looking for a special challenge, why not try yoga on a stand-up paddleboard this summer? But be warned, SUP yoga requires a good sense of balance.

If you prefer practicing yoga on solid ground, be mindful of factors like sun and temperature, and bring plenty of water or tea. You can work up quite a sweat in the summer. For particularly hot days, a spot near water is ideal for cooling off after your practice.

With or without a mat.

Whether a yoga mat is useful or not depends on the terrain and your personal preferences. On a warm, soft meadow, you might not want a mat between you and the ground, but on prickly pine needles in the forest, it's practically indispensable. Ideally, you should always have your mat handy and try it out on site to see what feels best.

On uneven surfaces, a mat can provide extra stability. It can also enhance the stretching effect of certain poses, as natural surfaces often give way more quickly.

Which surface feels good?

A mat also protects you from dirt, especially if the ground is dusty or sandy. For example, if you switch between floor exercises and standing asanas, it's annoying to have to clean your hands after every pose. A non-slip outdoor yoga mat is easy to clean, so you don't have to worry about the surface.

Outdoor yoga asanas

As a breeze deepens your breathing, the warmth of the sun makes your muscles more supple and helps you sink even deeper into the poses. And suddenly, a ladybug invites you to focus entirely on the moment.

You'll quickly notice that outdoor yoga has its own unique flow. Gradually, you'll know exactly which asanas feel right in a particular environment.

For your first time outdoors, we recommend standing asanas such as: Triangle , Warrior , Chair , Half Moon , or Tree . Gradually, you can try more complex poses and develop your own natural flow.

A good way to get started with outdoor yoga is the 15-minute flow for grounding and centering with Mady Morrison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UzvYPZReRg

If you're more of a water person, let yourself be inspired by the beautiful photos of Sunrise SUP Yoga in Zurich by athleticflow.

Become one with nature

Flow with your surroundings, find your nature flow.

Nature gives you an immediate feeling of freedom that you simply can't replicate in an enclosed space. But above all, it gives you a sense of connection, grounds you, and helps you let go.

You watch ants crawling across your mat and decide to respect them instead of shooing them away. You adjust your poses and movements to avoid them and let them be. They crawl away, and you feel connected to them by an invisible thread.

This combination of yoga and nature is a wonderful way to foster your creativity and resilience. If you imagine nature as your yoga partner, a whole new world opens up.

Get creative, go out into nature

And don't forget your LUVIYO.