"Buddha wasn’t in a meditation hall, he was in the forest," says the self-taught yogini who shares some interesting benefits of outdoor yoga.
Mumbai-based self-taught yogini Natasha Noel became an Instagram hit when she posted pictures of herself striking challenging yoga poses from practically anywhere, like from the top of Bandra fort to the middle of the street.
The 24-year-old, a former professional dancer, turned to yoga after she suffered a knee injury that prevented her from dancing. In just three months, Noel taught herself yoga through YouTube tutorials and Iyengar yoga books. She later joined a teacher’s training course to become a certified yoga teacher.
"Yoga has changed my life for me," Natasha told DNA. Adding, "It's made me into a more accepting human being. It's made me understand that I need to be there for myself."
While she states the obvious benefits of yoga like its role in reducing pain, increasing flexibility and muscle strength, she says doing it outdoors is even better. Natasha practises outdoor yoga a few days every month. "I try to be within nature as much as I can because that’s what rekindles my fire within," she said.
One of her favourite places to practise outdoor yoga is at the JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa.
Want some inspiration to practise the art outdoors? Noel shares nine reasons why you should start now.
You awaken your senses:
Being outdoors heightens your awareness, she believes, whether it's the smell of flowers, the wet earth beneath our feet, the soothing colours of nature or the sound of birds chirping.
You start listening:
Everyday distractions or busy schedules can easily get one lost in the chaos of their own mind. But nature, Noel says automatically calms you down and helps you gain perspective. "You start understanding what you need because you have finally started listening to yourself," she said.
Improve your balance:
"It may be difficult to find the 'perfect' place to practise yoga and meditation outdoors. By accepting nature as it is with all the lumpy bumps under your mat, you will improve your physical balance immensely," says Natasha.
Although she doesn't recommend practising outdoors everyday, it is beneficial as doing yoga on uneven surfaces increases strength of leg and core muscles, which may not happen as much on flat surfaces since one is already quite stable.
Gain energy:
Did you know that spending time outside actually gives you more energy? Natasha says "being outside triggers signals to our brains that the body is in its natural environment, this causes the senses to stay alert, therefore giving you more energy".
Improves respiration:
Breathing in fresh air naturally makes ones respiration stronger as cleaner oxygen is going in to the lungs making one more alert.
Vitamin D:
Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin, it is produced by the body when the skin exposed to sunlight. Deficiency of the vitamin is known to cause bone pain, bone deformities, muscle weakness among other serious issues.
Natasha suggests the best way to get your fill of vitamin D is outdoor yoga."We are creatures of nature, always have been, always will be," she said. Adding, "So take advantage of your natural connection with nature and get outside with your practise."
Practising outdoors aligns you with Nature:
While everyone may not be a fan of the outdoors, Natasha says practising yoga in nature helps us connect with our planet and "all those aspects that are part of the living entity that is Earth". She encourages serious yogis to develop a meditation and asana practice outside to balance their inner self.
Natasha believes Yoga is an inward journey in bettering oneself emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. "As adults, we don’t always give ourselves permission to move our bodies and play outdoors, to put our hands on the ground, to just stare up at the sky. When we do, it’s invigorating," she explains.
The yogini will be speaking on the issue of mental health at TEDxSIESCASC, a TEDx event at the SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai on May 20, 2017.
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 "Noel practices outdoor yoga.")
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