There’s nothing quite like going for a paddle, stepping onto a sandy beach and getting into a yoga pose while the sun shines on your shoulders.  It’s a little different than stretching in a studio or gymnasium.  The sounds of Justin Timberlake or Lada Gaga aren’t booming over a sound system, except maybe from a big boat flying by — and you are not looking at four concrete walls.

Instead, an osprey calls, waves lap against the shore and the smell of moving water tickles your nose.  It feels much more rejuvenating and refreshing to stretch with Mother Nature!

 In fact, the NY Times had a recent article discussing this idea, (February 21, 2013):

“In a number of recent studies, volunteers have been asked to go for two walks for the same time or distance — one inside, usually on a treadmill or around a track, the other outdoors. In virtually all of the studies, the volunteers reported enjoying the outside activity more and, on subsequent psychological tests, scored significantly higher on measures of vitality, enthusiasm, pleasure and self-esteem and lower on tension, depression and fatigue after they walked outside.”

If you have never done yoga outdoors, I highly recommend it!

Be well!
Elaine

Reference:
Reynolds, Gretchen. “The Benefits of Exercising Outdoors.” The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 21 Feb. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.