Get Your Asana Outside!

Perhaps it's the spring blooms and the warmer temperature, but we've noticed more kudos given for exercising outside. Publications like the New York Times and Yoga Journal cite several studies where exercising outdoors not only offered more strenuous challenges (i.e. runners and bikers dealing with things like wind and terrain changes versus the controlled conditions of a gym), but the time outdoors could also lessen factors that contribute to disease, like helping reduce high blood pressure and depression as well as anxiety and anger. Some of the studies also found that the time outside encouraged people to work out longer, which may not be as surprising considering that you're more than likely surrounded by trees and sky outside, rather than staring at a blank wall and machines inside.

So what happens when you take yoga outside? Our conclusion (perhaps slightly biased) comes in the form of a question: How could it be anything but a powerful burst of healthy lifejuice?!?! Okay so you're most likely not dealing with huge changes to your routine like a runner or biker might, but yoga outside does invite a little more creativity (how can I use this tree to help with my handstand?) and an easygoing attitude (gee, there are a lot bugs out here, but I'll just let them be). The joys are immediately apparent: lifting your arms up in a sun salute does feel like hugging the sky; the breeze feels like such a relief on your skin in that challenging side plank; and the warmth from the sun keeps you invigorated as you move through your flow. You could stay on your mat forever! While we wish we could take every class outside for the season, we'll content ourselves with Friday lunches at Dewitt Park this summer. If you haven't already, join us at noon on the shiny days. This year's donation series of Mighty Yoga in the Park is helping raise money for Hospicare, an organization dedicated to the care of people with any terminal diagnosis. It's yoga outside for a good cause. Tempting isn't it? We hope to see you outside soon! And please note, we're not dissing our indoor classes in the slightest as having an enclosed studio does have its perks, too. ;)

Community Class: Yoga in the Park

w/ Emma Silverman

Fridays, 12 - 1pm, Dewitt Park

Suggested donation: $5

BYOM (Bring Your Own Mat)

Rain Location: Mighty Yoga

Check Facebook for updates.