At its core, yoga is a movement-based exercise that draws from all of our surroundings. Even though it originated thousands of years ago, when desks were not the norm. Due to their adaptable nature, people have invented a new way of doing desk-top yoga for employees who must spend extended hours sitting. If you have ever noticed, a lot of yoga is drawn from nature itself, with poses like the mountain pose, tree pose, cobra, Matsya (fish), and cat-cow pose etc. We learn from our surroundings and incorporate those learnings into yoga, hence doing yoga outside, makes sense to many people. While it does come down to personal preference, there are many great benefits of yoga. Why Should You Try Outside Yoga? One of the greatest things about yoga is that you can do it almost anywhere. It turns out that being in nature makes your yoga practice better in ways that being in a studio doesn't. In a study published in the Population and Health journal 2021, researchers found that doing nature activities helped people feel less depressed, less anxious, more positive, and less negative. The studies that weren't as well-organized mostly showed the same thing. We didn't find as much proof that nature activities helped with physical health. The nature activities that seemed to work best lasted for about 2 to 3 months, and people did them for about 20 minutes to an hour and a half each time. So, things like gardening, exercising in nature, and special therapy that uses nature can really help adults feel better mentally, even if they already have mental health problems. How Outside Yoga Is BeneficialNature Gives You More Energy The American Psychological Association explains that our bodies used to deal with stress by getting bursts of energy, which helped us survive way back when. Being outside tells your brain you're in a safe, natural place. This helps your body calm down and stay alert. Studies show that being around trees makes people feel more lively and full of energy. That extra energy is awesome for doing more active types of yoga! Nature Wakes Up Your Senses When you do yoga outside instead of in a room, you start to really notice things – smells, sights, and how things feel. According to Mayo Clinic this wakes up parts of your brain that make you more present in the moment. Fresh air can make you more aware of your breathing. Looking at pretty nature makes your brain release happy chemicals. Even touching grass or sand feels good and can help you focus on what's happening right now instead of your to-do list. Trying Yoga Outside Builds Your Confidence Doing yoga in a new place, like outside, might feel a little strange at first. It's easy to feel a bit awkward if you're used to a studio. However, trying new things, even if they feel weird at the start, can make you feel more confident. Imagine doing sun salutations with the actual sun on your skin or feeling strong in tree pose while looking at a real tree. It's a cool way to learn what your body can do! Being Outside Makes Meditation Even Better According to Materia Socio-Medica researchers have found that people who meditate regularly have a calmer brain. It turns out that being in nature, like a forest, can also lower your stress levels. One expert pointed out that Buddha himself meditated outside, not in a building. So, taking your meditation or your whole yoga practice outdoors can make those good feelings even stronger and help you feel more peaceful and connected to the world around you.