Summer has arrived and the outdoors demands your presence. Listen to the season and connect to your mind, body and soul through yoga.
Here comes the sun and vitamin D that is essential for health and well-being. Forget sitting in the sun, grab the yoga mat and go outside. Yoga not only helps keep the body fit but will aide in replenishing vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is need for strong bones and muscles. There is no better way to build bones and muscles then with yoga. Since your outdoors try The Tree pose not only is it fitting since you’re out in nature but will help stimulate the bones.
As we become older many of us may experience problems with balance such as feeling dizzy or unsteady on our feet. Falls and fall-related injuries such as hip fractures can have an impact on your life especially when you’re older. Try yoga on the beach and notice the difference. Yoga outdoors increases mindfulness so you will feel balanced in any situation or on any surface. Try the Eagle Pose (Garudasana) and improve your balance and coordination.
Summer weather, sunlight, yoga equals glowing skin and hair. Yoga asanas are healthiest natural way of making your skin glow. The Shavasana (corpse pose) and Sirsasana (head stand) will get you that summer glowing skin by stabilizing hormones, and boosting blood flow to the skin. Yoga will tighten your skin muscles, prevent wrinkles and sagging.
Yoga and outdoor activities has been shown to help reduce stress. The Cat pose will soothe and stretch the back relieve stress and giving a gentle massage to your spine. So your grab your mat or not, go to the park and unwind. Bring a friend along so they too can de-stress.
Don’t forget to cool down to return your heart rate to normal functioning. Cooling down is the final step in yoga to harmonize and balance your body and calm your mind, breathing and emotions. The pigeon pose and goddess are great poses to cool down and relax.
Move your yoga outdoors. Use your backyard and find a quite grassy space, use your deck or patio. Go to the park, Look for that shady tree away in the distance where you can practice and take in the sounds of nature and if you live near a beach take it to the sand and water.
Tips for summer yoga outdoors:
Pick your time. Will it be early or morning or afternoon where you will need shade. If it is in the early evening will you need to take bug spray.
Find your place. Whether it is in your own back yard, the beach or a park find the place that speaks to you’re the place that gives you s sense of tranquility.
Make sure your area is clear. Check for rocks, sticks and debris.
Go with the flow. Start with any pose that comes to your mind. Take time and set a routine to make your workout easier. Make sure you go with your own flow.
Take a mat or towel or just go barefoot. Being barefoot does offer health benefits including muscle relaxation, boost your immune system, decrease inflammation, reduce stress and improve our blood pressure.
