Rewilding Your Yoga Practice:
Connecting With Nature Through Movement and Breath

Rewilding isn’t about going feral一it’s about returning to something essential, instinctual, and alive. Many of us practice yoga indoors, enclosed within walls, screens, wi-fi signals and a number of distractions. Don’t get me wrong, a win is a win… any amount of DOING movement practice deserves some recognition. However, there is nothing so peacefully impactful to the nervous system and to your entire energy field as relocating to nature and REWILDING with an outdoor yoga practice. Envision your yoga practice as more than only movement, but as something wild, grounded and deeply connected to nature.

You have experienced it before一 the calming serene effects of sunlight, fresh air, and sounds of nature. It’s an almost instant regulating effect on the nervous system. Whatever mood you had carried previously is suddenly improved... tenfold.

The mental health benefits of outdoor yoga practice are well noted with a recent special mention of Cool Spring Yoga in a 2024 Winchester Star news article by Tabitha Reeves, I am quoted expounding on the positive effects I have witnessed there over the last 10 years.

So picture this... you are outside and take off your shoes, physically connecting to nature. Take a few steps walking barefoot or sit down on the earth. Soon you connect to the electromagnetic field of the planet. You may experience the effects of this connection are calming, balancing, and energizing to the body. Read more about these positive benefits in my blog post, Grounding Benefits to Your Overall Health.

Almost cyclical in design, a process of unwinding begins. Being in nature often encourages more spacious, full breathing, which shifts us out of mental stress mode and further into physical presence. There you notice the clenched muscles due to your stressed thoughts and allow them to melt away. You continue to find it easier to breathe, further deepening your breath, and further dissipating tension and stress. You observe the present moment and experience vast spaciousness of mind.

How does one apply that in practice?

Get outside in nature. Even if just for 5 minutes to notice immense, almost instantaneous benefits. You will be glad you did. Here are some ideas for how.

-sun salutations in the sunlight.

-a walking meditation in the woods

-a single restorative pose under a tree

-practice Outdoor Vinyasa Yoga + Guided Meditation with me

Don't forget my tips for outdoor practice comfort including to use a towel instead of/ in addition to a mat, wear clothing layers, find shade or dappled light, wear sunscreen and insect repellant, and bring hydration.

Ready to try it in a sequence?

Let's begin with a nature walk/ hike through your favorite natural setting. Breathe it in deeply and observe the plants, animals, and insects- anchoring you in the present moment. Collect any cool found objects along the way such as smooth rocks, feathers, or leaves to bring with you. When you find the right setting under a tree or on a soft hill, plant yourself there and calmly connect yourself to the earth.

Depending where you are, incorporate the qualities of the landscape around you into your movement and breath for further anchoring in the present moment (example: flow like the water, breathe like the wind, soften like the swaying trees.)

A Nature Inspired Practice Sequence:

• seated lotus
• sun salutations
• crescent lunge
• tree pose
• eagle pose
• wide legged forward fold
• savasana/ meditation; holding your rock

~

For days you can't get outside, bring the elements inside your home. Open the windows and use natural light, bring in plants or water features. Practice to the sounds of rain, birdsong, or ocean waves. Use essential oils to evoke the scents of nature- think cedar wood, lavender, eucalyptus.

Ultimately, rewilding is about exploring your yoga practice as a flexible judgement-free conversation with your body instead of an outwardly imposed rigid script. Remember, it's YOUR practice. Remember what drew you into yoga in the first place, what you enjoyed - what was playful or relieving for you. This may mean dancing instead of doing down-dog or only savasana for the entire 30 minutes while listening to the wind.

Rewilding is not about perfection, it's about PRESENCE. And nature is both the perfect teacher and container for this concept. Connecting to nature reminds us who we truly are and RESETS our nervous system to a more whole, calm, and peaceful state.

I challenge you to Rewild your yoga practice and take it outdoors this week, even if only for 5 minutes. And please don't forget to share your experience with me! (Use Instagram/Facebook: @amberteachesyoga or Contact form below)

Suddenly Vinyasa-curious? Read "What is Vinyasa Yoga" for a detailed explanation.

Looking for some books to take with you into the woods? Read my yoga book recommendations here.