At the time when I started drafting this post, Spring had finally arrived to the Nordics. This week as I'm finalising this for publication, we're experiencing the early summer heat at the end of May. Usually when the snow has finally melted after a long winter is a time when I move my own practice to outdoors. Winter in Finland typically lasts at least 4-6 months (depending on the region) so there's always something special of being outdoors when the weather is warm and the sun is coming out. I discovered the joy of practicing outside very early in my yoga journey and I haven't looked back ever since.
Today I'd like to share with you the reasons why you should also consider moving your practice outside.
1. Feeling the presence of nature
One of the greatest and perhaps the most obvious benefit is the connection to nature. You may have heard about earthing, which can be as simple as walking outside in the grass barefoot. The majority of our society is very disconnected from the environment (thanks to the modern urban lifestyle!). This weakens our immune systems making them vulnerable to natural things. Not to mention we generally feel quite sick in concrete buildings and artificial lighting while having a sedentary lifestyle. What happened to us? We ourselves have to be the ones to fix this and go back to our roots.
By all means you don't need to do yoga to expose yourself to the nature. Walking, gardening or any activity done in nature is beneficial. I personally enjoy doing grounding practices that make me feel connected to the Mother Earth. Occasionally I hug a tree. When I'm doing yoga, I embrace the sounds of birds and feel the wind through my hair. All this reminds us to stay present. I highly recommend you to engage with all your senses. For this you can try the 5 senses meditation.
2. Fresh air
Also a quite straightforward benefit when being outside is the fresh air. Even better if you have the ability to go somewhere with less traffic and pollution, such as forests, parks or beaches. I find that pranayama and breathwork training is taken on a whole other level outdoors. One of my favourite things to do during the pandemic (and one of the things that kept me sane) was to walk on top of a nearby hill and watch the sunrise. I would do this religiously every morning and once I reached the top of the hill, I then commenced my pranayama practice. It made me feel truly alive every morning, starting my days with my lungs filled with fresh oxygen.
3. Light exposure
I know this is a contested topic in the age of awareness about the damaging effects of the sun on our skin but it is medically proven that sunlight helps our bodies and minds in many ways. As with anything, you have to be mindful. I think for us who live in the Northern hemisphere of the Earth, daylight plays a significant role in our lives. I have certainly felt the importance of daylight in a much deeper way ever since moving back to Finland in 2021. Exposing yourself to daylight, whether it's sunny or not, is crucial for our mental well-being.
4. Discovering new places
I challenge you to practice yoga somewhere new and unknown. It's always lovely, if we have our own garden or a dock as our sacred spot. Equally wonderful is to disover new places and explore new territories. Maybe you've always practiced yoga in your backyard - great! Can you next time find a waterfront, like a lake or a sea? Just like switching up our day-to-day walking routes can freshen up the routine a bit and take us out of that autopilot mode, taking your practice to a new place may deepen your practice by giving you new perspectives and engage your senses in a different way.
5. Finding new people
Last but not least, you may even find new people who are curious about you. Sometimes it is intimidating to do anything alone. It took me a lot of courage to dare to roll down my yoga mat in a park all by myself, feeling like everyone would stare at me. I quickly noticed that my fears were irrational. Nobody cares. If you find it difficult to get out of your comfort zone, try going with a friend first. Of course there is nothing quite like a big group of people practicing yoga together in a park on a sunny day. Find whatever suits you and your current needs. Sometimes it's just lovely to sit by yourself and just be.
I wish light in your day,
x Sara
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