Close your eyes and picture yoga. What's the very first image that comes to mind? For too many of us, the stereotypes come first. Is it the serene, plant-based eaters effortlessly folding into complex poses framed by Victoria Falls, the Pyramids, or the Great Wall of China that you see first?

If it is, don't let this put you off. I am probably not a yoga stereotype.

I eat meat.

I eat too much of everything.

And I am afraid of most animals.

However, I ❤️ outdoor yoga. It's the best.

Outdoor yoga is for everyone, including meat-eaters and those of us who sprint away at the mere sight of a squirrel. If you love nature and see yourself as part of it, outdoor yoga can be the most amazing addition to your life, no matter your background, and that's what this blog is all about and why I want to talk about it.

Yoga and Nature: A Natural Connection

Yoga, at its core, is about finding balance and connection. Practicing yoga outdoors amplifies these benefits by integrating the natural world into your practice. Here's why I encourage everyone to try outdoor yoga:

• Enhanced Sensory Experience: Imagine stepping onto your mat as the sun peeks over the horizon, warming your skin. A gentle breeze lightly caresses your face, birds chatter chirpily, and the smell of fresh flowers and earth fills the air. Each session becomes a multi-sensory journey, immersing you fully in the moment and leaving you over flowingly alive.

• Natural Stress Reduction: Nature's colours calm. A summer world in blue and green where stress begins to drip away and hot air balloon moods lift up high. The heady combination of yoga in the natural world creates a powerful synergy that promotes deep relaxation and mental clarity, helping you to feel GREAT!!

• Grounding and Mindfulness: Feel the springy, soft grass underfoot in Mountain Pose and the solid earth beneath your hands in Downward Dog. Grounded, anchored, and connected directly to the world, you remain firmly in the present moment. Every breath becomes a meditation, every moment mindful, enhancing your connection to the world around you.

• Varied Environment: Nature is never static. The ever-changing backdrop gifts us new perspectives and inspiration with each practice. One day you might find yourself practicing under the ancient branches of a grand oak, the next by a serene lake with the sky reflected in its still waters. This constantly shifting tapestry keeps your practice fresh and invigorating, offering new perspectives and inspiration with every session. No two days are the same, ensuring your yoga routine remains a dynamic adventure.

• Space and Freedom: Outside is freedom. Room to stretch, move, and breathe deeply.

Outdoor Yoga: No Pets Required

Forget about cat, dog, or pig yoga if animals aren’t your thing. The real beauty of outdoor yoga is that it’s just you, the mat, and the great outdoors. Picture this: doing your sun salutations as the actual sun rises, or flowing through poses to the sound of rustling leaves and chirping birds. It’s a sensory experience that can’t be replicated indoors.

You Do You

So, grab your mat, head outside, and let the natural world guide your practice. It doesn’t matter if you can’t touch your toes or if you prefer a burger over a salad. What matters is the connection you feel with the earth beneath you and the sky above.

In the end, yoga and nature remind us that we’re all part of something bigger, and that’s a beautiful thing.

P.S. You might need your umbrella ☂️.