I've been practicing yoga for about two years now, and somehow, the thought had never occurred to me to practice yoga outside until yesterday. Now that I've experienced this little piece of heaven, I'm almost embarassed to admit that it took me so long to get here. I'm an avid nature fan, and I always feel more at peace after spending some time outside, nestled in trees' shadows and ruffled by the wind's fingers. Yoga has been an important part of my life since I first took a class at Baylor, and I've come to rely on it as one of the few pieces of my life that's "just for me." I've come to adore this time of relaxation as sacred and a crucial part of keeping myself centered. I love serving others and helping in any way I can, but who among us doesn't need a little time to themselves?
Outside yoga somehow adds a new dimension to this practice. While often unpredictable, this week's Texas "winter" weather has been in the refreshing 60-degree range. My morning routine now includes a cup of coffee (I don't think I'll ever kick that caffeine habit) and bringing my yoga mat out to the back patio. The poses blend perfectly with cool breezes rippling over my skin and sunbeams piercing through my relaxed eyelids. When I close my eyes, I can even make out these amazing rays of sunlight that play with my imagination. Shapes and beams of light take form, and it all adds to my love of nature and my love of yoga. Add in the New Age Ambient station on Pandora, and I do believe, my friends, it's a small piece of heaven. So, don't just take my word for it. If you're looking for something new to add to your life in 2011, try a little outdoor yoga. Namaste.
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