Why practice yoga outdoors?

The fact that yoga is good for both our bodies and our minds is nothing new. It relieves us of excessive stress, strengthens our muscles, and helps us stretch. It helps us deal with problems so common in modern society, such as back and headaches. However, we usually practice yoga at home or go to various centers, where we still practice indoors. Have you ever thought about practicing outdoors? No? That’s a shame! Here are a few benefits that practicing yoga outdoors can offer you.

Imagine your typical day. Now ask yourself this simple question: How many hours a day do you spend outdoors in the fresh air? Yet spending time outdoors is important for both our mental and physical health. Being outdoors is an integral part of boosting our immunity.

However, we can also look at it from a different perspective. Yoga is undoubtedly a physical activity comparable to running or weight training, but an integral part of it is inner peace, meditation, and above all—proper breathing. And what could be better than taking a deep breath of fresh air, scented by the forest, where you can feel the season and an endless sense of peace? What better way to recharge your mental strength than by practicing yoga in the midst of unspoiled nature, with a sunset setting the mood? Incense sticks in the middle of your living room simply can’t compare.

Another advantage is the variety of environments in which you exercise. Every day offers different conditions, a different atmosphere, and a new opportunity. One day it might be a warm summer sunset; another, a crisp spring morning with the sun rising and glistening in the morning dew. Or perhaps a colorful autumn afternoon, where you can feel summer slowly fading away and autumn growing stronger and stronger.

The choice of a specific spot is up to each of us, but here are a few suggestions for specific locations in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. For those who want to draw strength from the forests, we recommend the woods around Kytlice, but also clearings where you’ll find the perfect flat surface for your yoga mat. For lovers of scenic views, we recommend the area around Sněžník, where you can practice yoga while enjoying endless panoramic views of Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland.

If you want to soak up the magical atmosphere of the rocks, check out the cliffs in Ostrov. For those who want nature but also a touch of civilization, we recommend the meadows or the herb garden on Vlčí hora. The herb garden is part of the Nobilis Tillia complex, where your senses will be overwhelmed by the various scents of the plants grown here for the production of natural cosmetics. Plus, after your workout, you can visit the local tea room to further indulge your body and soul.

Imagine this: You arrive, unroll your mat, and begin your practice, all the while listening to the all-encompassing silence, occasionally broken by the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects. For a moment at least, you feel as though you’ve returned to where you came from—back to nature. Thanks to the focus required for yoga, we’re able to perceive the nature around us with our whole body and draw much-needed life energy from it.

Last but certainly not least, another reason to practice yoga outdoors is the connection between body and mind. During a yoga class in nature, it’s easier to connect your body and senses. Through our senses, our body fully perceives the environment around us. And can we find a more natural setting than the nature that surrounds us?