People are rediscovering the benefits of outdoor yoga. This is no surprise considering how beneficial this form of exercise can be. Yoga has been shown to improve flexibility, reduce body fat, and relieve stress. Now that it’s possible to enjoy these physical and mental benefits in the great outdoors, more people are giving it a try.

1) The Benefits of Outdoor Yoga Are Well-Recognized

According to recent studies, practicing yoga in nature can have a powerful impact on the mind and body. At least one study conducted by researchers at Oregon State University found that spending time in nature reduces anxiety while simultaneously increasing creativity . Another study published in The Journal of Holistic Nursing found that practicing yoga outside led to “decreased tension, confusion, anger, and depression” as well as an increase in “energy, alertness, and tranquility.”

2) There Is a Variety of Outdoor Yoga Options

There are a variety of outdoor yoga options. Some people like to practice yoga on the beach while listening to the waves crash against the shore . Others prefer practicing in nature preserves or even forests. Still others enjoy practicing at parks or other public spaces where they can be surrounded by trees. If you want to get down and dirty with your practice , you can try doing it at campgrounds or even national parks! Better yet? Take your mat on your next camping trip for an all-inclusive vacation complete with physical activity and tranquil surroundings.

3) Outdoor Yoga Can Help You Connect with Nature

When you practice yoga outside, it can help you connect more closely with nature. For most people, this is a powerful experience that feels wholly rewarding. Being surrounded by trees or being able to feel the sunshine on your face can have a positive impact on your mental health and spiritual well-being . This experience can also lead you to discover new feelings of peace and comfort as well as a sense of enlightenment.

4) The Morning Is a Great Time for Outdoor Yoga

Many people prefer practicing outdoor yoga in the morning or even at sunset. Research has shown that both sunlight and fresh air have healing benefits , so spending time outdoors during these times may provide you with an extra boost of energy and positivity. Although you can try to enjoy these benefits at any time of day, it’s helpful to be aware of the best times to practice so you get the most out of your session.

5) Yoga Poses Can Be Done Anywhere

With outdoor yoga, there are no limits on where or when you can have your next session. You can do yoga poses anywhere that feels good and is appropriate for both the style of yoga you’re practicing and what you’re wearing . Whether it’s in a public park or near a scenic mountain vista , it’s easy to find an inspirational place for your next outdoor yoga session.

4 Cool Historical Facts About Yoga

• The Word “Yoga” Has a Fascinating Etymology

Yoga is a practice with roots in ancient India and meaning that extends beyond the physical. The word “yoga” either translates to mean “union” or it can be linked back through history when hitchike was used by British people during their exploration of Asia, which led them into discovering this new world (India). This full name for what we know today didn’t enter Western culture until about 1820 AD but even then its origin remained unclear – some thought it had come from Egyptian tradition while others said Greek-based exercises began there too!

• The Mother of Yoga

While the history of women and yoga is murky and debatable, the “mother of yoga” in the West is widely considered to be Indra Devi (1899-2002). She is considered the mother of Western yoga because she  was the first woman “allowed” to study with Krishnamacharya (the “father of modern yoga”) in 1937. Once Krishnamacharya accepted his only female student, he encouraged her to spread his teachings. Being married to a diplomat, Devi was in a prime position to do just that. Eventually, she became the first yoga teacher in Los Angeles and her clients included, among many others, Greta Garbo. Sine the pioneering efforts of Devi, many other yogini have helped bring yoga to over 36.7 million practitioners in the United States. Devis would also likely be proud that currently 72% of women U.S. practitioners are women.

• Ralph Waldo Emerson Told Henry Thoreau about Yoga

While Henry David Thoreau holds many titles, including abolitionist, naturalist, and beloved American philosopher, being a “yogi” probably surprises most people. In fact, Thoreau discovered yoga while visiting his friend and fellow American transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Thoreau saw lying on Emerson’s desk a very interesting book titled Manusmriti, which was a book of Hindu law. Thoreau was hooked.

Thoreau says of the book that “I cannot read a single word of the Hindoos [sic] without being elevated.” He was particularly attracted to “solitude and the meditative life in general” and began practicing yoga while living near Walden Pond. The area–and no doubt practicing yoga– inspired Thoreau to write his now classic and famous literature.

• The First Book Ever Written is about yoga

What topic could ever inspire the first book created on earth? Of course, it would be yoga. The oldest known text in the world, The Rig Veda contains thousands of hymns and Sanskrit mantras that were used to invoke courage, peace, prosperity, health, and wisdom. This ancient book sets the foundations of yoga and provides both a spiritual and philosophical foundation for the development and spread of yoga.  The first of the Vedas, this ancient text dates back to at least 1500 B.C.

Do You Need Vinyasa Yoga Classes You Can Trust?

Vinyasa Flow classes at Yoga Flow SF mix traditional yoga poses with athletic movements to create a vigorous and balanced workout. Our instructors’ energy during the class is infectious, making it an empowering experience for all levels of practitioners—from beginner to advanced. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or just need something more challenging in your life, our heated live-music sessions will make the most out of every session! We offer modifications that simplify the poses to be more suitable for beginners or some that amplify them for our advanced practitioners so you can choose which one is better suited based on your skill level! Specifically, this type of yoga really helps with creating strength and flexibility in both body AND mind while challenging us to grow into stronger versions of ourselves. Book your first class now at one of our San Francisco locations or our new location in downtown Walnut Creek!

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