by Pinki Kumari
Published Sun, Jul 3rd 2016, 15:56 | Fitness
Yoga teaches your mind to be still. Taming your mind outdoors can establish a link with the environment. Nature intensifies this experience and heightens your awareness. The sounds of nature, its physical appearance and the air, together, creates a sense of freedom you cannot feel indoors.
Nature has the ability to send you bursts of energy which replenishes the energy depleted in you. Feelings of vigor and vitality are sensed when one is in a natural environment. This elevated spirit within, helps to go with the flow of yoga.
When you step out of the four walls, your senses awaken – sight, scent and touch. The fresh air heightens breath awareness, clears the mind and empowers the practice. Looking at a beautiful scenery releases endorphins which makes one feel good. Touching grass or sand elevates stimulation, while an uneven surfaced area strengthens the core. The sensory experience that we go through morphs to a sensual experience. This experience makes you stay in the present, forgetting the rest.
Practicing in the vastness for the first time can be awkward. Stepping out of your comfort zone opens a door full of new experiences. Over a few practices, you will build confidence and will make you come closer to nature.
With every pose you do, your focus will be on one element of nature. The freshness it will instill in you is magical. Well, it’s the yoga and nature that has stirred the wand.
Buddha wasn’t meditating in a hall, but under a tree. Studies show that people exposed to a natural surrounding versus an urban environment had a lower concentration level of the stress hormone, cortisol.
So step out, find your sweet spot and start practicing.