Outdoor Yoga: Pros + Cons
With the Spring season continuing to warm up the Earth, covid vaccines being given out, and the craving to get out of our homes, it’s the perfect time to take most activities outdoors! Outdoor yoga is one of my favorite things, but it’s definitely got its pros and cons.
There is healing benefits to being outdoors, so it makes sense that taking yoga outdoors has its pros. Let’s check it out…
Benefits of being outside:
increases Vitamin D levels
helps lower cortisol levels, reducing stress
fresh air
boosts immune system
increases creativity and improves memory
natural aromatherapy to stimulate senses
Pro: You don’t even need a yoga mat
Con: pricker balls! ouch!
Pros of Outdoor Yoga:
Fresh air - makes breathing through exercises easier (yay for no masks outdoors!) and fresh air helps reduce stress
Warm sun on your skin - boosts Vitamin D, natural tanning, and it feels so good.
Earthing - bare feet outdoors is good for your health (read more about this below)
Beautiful views - helps switch up the scenery from the same studio/gym all the time, creating a change in perspective
Options - there’s endless outdoor space, so finding somewhere spacious enough typically isn’t a problem
Pets! - with some outdoor events, you can bring your pet along with you, and who doesn’t love bringing their furry friend with them
Can be done ANYWHERE - outdoors gives you the option to create your own gym - find a space that speaks to your soul, and allow your surroundings to enhance your practice
Cons of Outdoor Yoga:
No restrooms - this can be a huge problem and turn-off for some students; keep in mind, most outdoor classes don’t have restrooms, and if they do, they typically aren’t the cleanest.
Weather conditions - it’s impossible to predict weather in advance. Rain and other potential dangerous weather will cause for a cancelled event. It can also be super hot or really cold.
Bugs - there’s no getting rid of bugs when we decide to practice outdoors, so wear your bug repellent and longer pants/shirts to avoid getting eaten alive
Allergies - the pollen can be a real pain and if your allergies are bad, working out outdoors probably isn’t for you(at least in Spring)
Lack of equipment - being outdoors, we have little access to walls, chairs, and yoga props
Uneven surfaces - this can make feeling balanced quite difficult
Find balance in your practice - try it outside and inside. Weigh the pros and cons yourself. See where your practice takes you. Yoga is a journey.
Indoors vs Outdoors; which do you prefer?
What is Earthing?
The earth beneath your feet provides you with food and water. It gives you a surface to sit, stand, walk, run, swim, climb, play, and build on. It also provides you with something very surprising - electrons. When you touch the ground with your bare feet or body, the electrons flow into you. This is called being “grounded.”
The earth’s surface has a virtually limitless supply of mobile electrons that gives the ground we walk on (as well as lakes and oceans) a natural negative electric charge. When you touch your body to the ground, it dissipates static electricity and extraneous environmental electrical charges that are on you. At the same time, you receive a charge of energy in the form of free electrons and your body synchronizes with the natural frequencies of the earth.
Go on outside and get your feet dirty!
Join me at my next outdoor event:
Yoga on the Farm at Wildberry Farm + Market in Crownsville
Sunday May 2nd - Sign up here!
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