If you’ve practiced with me for a while, you’ve probably noticed that a lot of my classes are filmed outside. I’ve taught on the beach in Costa Rica and under the trees in Colorado, and whenever the weather (and the nearby construction) cooperates, I’ll pick outdoors over indoors every time.
Most of us practice at home, inside, and that’s wonderful. But stepping outside to practice can change how a class feels in some really nice ways. And you don’t need a jungle. A patio works. So does a corner of the backyard or the park down the street.
The ground keeps you honest
Indoors, the floor is flat and predictable. Outside, it isn’t. Grass gives a little and sand shifts under you. Even a deck might slope more than you thought. Your feet and ankles have to work harder, and so does your balance.
I think that’s a good thing. Start in mountain pose and really feel your feet on the earth before you move. Then try tree pose on the grass and notice how different it feels from your living room. If you wobble, that’s the point.
Let the distractions in
Outside, you hear the leaves and the birds and feel the sun on your skin. You’ll also hear traffic, and someone will walk their dog right past your mat, and a plane will fly over during shavasana. That’s all part of it. Instead of fighting the noise, let it be there and come back to your breath. It’s great practice for staying present when life is loud.
Fresh air and a little sun
Breathing fresh air is invigorating, and it wakes up your senses in a way the living room doesn’t. A little sunshine feels good too. Early morning or evening is usually the most comfortable time, especially somewhere hot, and on a sunny day a shady spot is your friend.
Let nature inspire you
Nature has a way of inspiring us. Maybe it’s a tree moving in the breeze or a flower in bloom, or water running past. When you practice outside, pay attention to what’s around you and let it set the mood.
A few practical tips
Find the flattest spot you can and check it for rocks before you roll out your mat. If your wrists don’t love uneven ground, a wrist-free class is a great first outdoor practice. And keep your first one short, because everything feels a little harder on new ground.
Classes to take outside with you
These were all filmed outdoors, so you can practice with me in nature while you’re in yours.
- Wrist Free Beach Yoga Class (26m 48s). A gentle flow on the sand in Costa Rica, no hands needed.
- 20 Min Sunshine Yoga Morning Flow on Standley Lake (22m 30s). A quick morning flow by the lake in Colorado.
- Morning Jungle Flow Yoga Class (58m 6s). Filmed in the jungle in Costa Rica.
- Flow in the Forest Yoga Class (59m 44s). Filmed in the woods in Colorado.
- Beach Energy & Strength Yoga Class (56m 0s). A morning vinyasa on the beach in Tamarindo.
- Strength + Mobility Flow, Valley of Fires, New Mexico (43m 2s). From our travels on the road.
Want more? The Yoga Postcard Series is all classes filmed on our travels. You can also browse classes filmed in Costa Rica or classes filmed in Colorado.
So step outside, find a flat-ish spot, and see how it feels. I’d love to hear where you practiced.
Looking for your next at-home (or out-of-home) yoga class?
