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Going outside? Read this article about the new Outside+ app, now available for members on iOS devices. Download the app.
I admit I’m on and off yoga. I love spending time on my mat, but being an avid trail runner and a working mom with two kids, I rarely make time for yoga. But when I went on a summer vacation to a glamping resort deep in the ranch country of the East Vail Valley, I signed up for a sunset yoga class. My husband and I wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of reality and savor the serenity of glamping for two days, so an outdoor yoga session seemed like the perfect addition.
The class took place on a clifftop a short walk from my tent, where instructor Yvette Chavy was spreading mats and weaving blankets among the sagebrush and wildflowers. Luckily, Chavy and I ended up being the only two participants.
As we surrendered to the quiet rhythm of the Rocky Mountains at dusk, Chavi apologized for the unevenness of the ground, but I was grateful for the weight of the ground.
As I slowly moved through restorative poses and breathing techniques, I became more and more aware of the ground beneath my feet; the warmth from hours scorching under the summer sun; the hoofprints of grazing horses; the smell of sage-laced earth high in the desert. Tree and mountain poses were especially meaningful in that my feet actively sought the strength and foundation of the ground while the rest of my body reached toward the open sky above. These poses were not without adjustments and wobble, my toes and ankles constantly shifting, trying to find new balance. But that was also part of the beauty; a reminder that even simple, practiced movements sometimes need reworking.
With Chavi’s careful guidance and gentle direction, I found my position and certain poses were easier on my joints. I usually bend my mat to protect my sensitive runner’s knees from the unforgiving floor, but here, it was as if the uneven ground was cradling my knees in hunchback and cow pose, my shoulders in bridge, and my feet in triangle pose. Sinking into savasana against the reassuring presence of the earth was a revelation.
Being so close and connected to the material world left me with a heightened sense of consciousness. My heart swelled with gratitude and tears of gratitude blurred my vision. This transference of natural energy reminded me of how powerful the outdoors has been for my wellbeing and was totally different from anything I’d experienced while confined to the studio.
After the magic of Shavasana wore off, I told Chavi, a trauma-informed instructor studying to be a wellness coach, how much I enjoyed being rooted to the ground during our outdoor yoga session. She smiled and said, “Everything has energy. The earth under our feet, the soil, and everything underneath it is energy. It’s energy that we don’t normally tap into.”
She’s quick to point out that yoga, in any form and anywhere, is a powerful wellness tool. But given the choice, she always chooses outdoor yoga. “Having all this natural beauty right in front of me makes me feel expansive. I love the feeling of towering mountains and valleys. I come out here and lose myself in the silence.”
Chavi explained that while she loves to teach in nature, ideally she would have a platform on the ground so students could choose what best suits their practice. Those who are injured or recovering from an injury would do better on flat ground, she said. But for me, there was no better way to explore purity of body and mind than to be rooted and connected to the earth itself.
Related: Want to improve your health? Research suggests taking ‘nature’s medicines
About the contributor
Colorado-based freelance writer Amanda M. Faison has been writing about food, adventure, and culture for over 20 years. Food & Wine, Sunset, Elle Decor, and Travel and Leisureher farm-to-table feature “Soul food” Included in the anthology Best Food Writing 2010Faison has also edited four cookbooks and is always looking for ways to bring friends together for a meal, whether indoors or outdoors.
