When my wife convinced me, during one of our vacations in Prague, Czechia, to take our yoga mats and take it outdoors to a nearby park, I wasn’t sold. But after spending the entire day in nature, I learned that practicing Yoga outdoors is a huge improvement over the overall experience.
Today, I will tell you why you should do the same (there are many benefits related to practicing yoga outdoors) in order to give your Yoga sessions the boost they need.
We’ll start with 10 proven benefits of practicing Yoga outside (and it doesn’t even have to be a park – you can do so on your patio, backyard, balcony, or wherever you have some room outdoors).
1. Better Connection with Nature
Many people enjoy being outdoors because it allows them to connect with nature. A big part of doing yoga is grounding. It’s essential that you get grounded, connect with your surroundings, and get in touch with yourself.
There’s nothing better to make you feel grounded than lying in savasana outside, where the only thing that separates you from the earth is your yoga mat. Speaking of which, make sure to read my article about the best outdoor yoga mat.
2. Heightened awareness
Once you leave the four walls of the yoga studio, all of your senses will be awakened. The feel of grass, the smell of fresh air, even the distant sounds of life – they all wake up parts of your brain that indoor yoga simply doesn’t reach, making you feel more present.
Studies have shown that time spent in nature releases endorphins – the chemicals your body produces to feel good, lowers stress levels, while the variety of sensory input keeps you more focused and present during your practice. (Read about the study here)
3. A Sense of Liberation
Many yogis will agree that practicing yoga outdoors is liberating. When you are outside, there is a feeling of freedom that’s actually tangible: you can see the beautiful blue skies, feel the grass under your mat and feel the cool breeze.
There’s also less pressure to “get it right,” and more room to explore what feels good in your own body. You can sprawl out, let your movements get bigger, and even experiment with new poses you might not try in a crowded class.
4. More Energy and Better Mood
sunlight has been shown to increase serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and energy. Spending just twenty minutes outside can recharge you more than a cup of coffee. If you’ve been struggling with motivation or low energy, practicing outdoors might be the lift you didn’t know you needed.
Safety tip: Bring sunscreen (learn about the UV index here), a hat, and hydrate well during your routine.
5. Build confidence
Many people are apprehensive about doing yoga outdoors simply because it can feel awkward. I sure felt like that during my first outdoor yoga experience back in Prague.
True enough, it’s easy to feel self-conscious when you’re practicing outside especially if you’re used to doing yoga inside a studio.
People like familiar things as they bring security, but stepping out of the comfort zone once in a while is important as well. Doing yoga outdoors can bring a totally new interpretation to your yoga practice, which leads to better confidence, both on and off the mat.
6. Wide open spaces
One of the most obvious benefits of doing outdoor yoga is that you have miles of free space around you. If you have been exclusively practicing yoga indoors, you probably don’t realize just how cramped you are.
However, there are some cons too. Uneven ground is common outside, so you should use a thicker mat or layer with a towel, and take extra care in balancing poses if you really can’t find a decently smooth surface.
7. Shake up your routine
Repetition can drain the excitement from even the best practices. At least once in a while, you need something different to shake up your yoga routine.
Changing up the setting of your yoga sessions outside can make things more interesting and fun. You will feel extra refreshed and energized just for experiencing new, beautiful scenery. Try different locations if possible – beach, park, garden, rooftop, balcony. Each offers a new vibe and a new set of challenges.
8. All about the zen
No playlist can match the real soundtrack of nature. Birds singing, leaves rustling, distant waves, or even city sounds create a natural rhythm for your practice. The unpredictability can actually help you release stress, teaching you to accept distractions and let them pass.
9. Creativity and Self-Discovery
With no instructor leading or classmates watching, outdoor yoga is a chance to explore your own flow. You can experiment with new poses, longer holds, or whatever you feel like doing in that particular moment.
Sure, it can be awkward and messy but that’s perfectly okay. This gets the creative juices flowing with regard to the poses that you can do. Outside, there are no rules, and it feels good.
10. Boost meditation benefits
Meditation has a plethora of benefits which include having a smaller amygdala – the part of your brain which triggers the fight-or-flight response.
According to field studies, people who are often exposed to a forest environment versus an urban environment had a lower production of cortisol which is the stress hormone.
Just come to think of it, Buddha wasn’t meditating in a hall; he did it in the forest! The union of the body and the mind is what yoga is all about. Adding the element of the outdoors provides a whole new level of benefits and enables you to become one with nature.
IMPORTANT: If you’re ready to start doing Yoga outside, make sure to grab this Thick Yoga Mat from Amazon. It’s perfect!
How to Start Outdoor Yoga (Even As a Beginner)
Now that we know the benefits, I have some additional tips for you to start practicing yoga outside, as not all of us have a partner to drag us out of our comfort zone. Here’s how to prepare before to make the experience great from the beginning:
Scout your spot: Look for a place that’s flat, clean, and relatively quiet. Parks, gardens, beaches… they all have better spots than others. Or opt for your own balcony or garden, where you will have more privacy.
Dress for the weather: Wear layers if it’s cool, a hat and sunscreen if it’s hot, and shoes you can easily slip off.
Bring the right gear: A thick mat, water bottle, bug spray, and a towel are musts. If the ground is wet, a picnic blanket under your mat helps, although in that case, you might want to delay your practice a bit until the grass is dry.
Go at your own pace: You don’t need to do a full hour. Even a 10-minute session outside is worth it.
Handle nerves: If you’re worried about being watched, find a quiet corner or invite a friend. Over time, self-consciousness fades, trust me!
Wrapping up
Outdoor yoga is something that you will eventually consider (or have considered, if you’re practicing it for a while now). It’s not that much about perfect poses, as it is about connection with nature, with yourself, and the world around you.
It’s a much improved experience, one that, once tried, will always draw you back in. Just give it a try and see for yourself. You now know all the basics!
And if you have additional thoughts or questions, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments down below!
Daniel is a gear freak when it comes to hiking, climbing and camping. He went to REI Outdoor School to meet new people and learn best practices. Don’t even try to argue with him about the latest backpack or ice axe, he tried most of them. Daniel’s dream is to climb Mount Everest.