Good weather is the perfect time to take your yoga practice al fresco.

Whether it’s mountaintop yoga after a beautiful hike, beach yoga with waves lapping at the shore or the sensational olfactory experience of yoga in a garden, practicing yoga outdoors brings us closer to nature and even more into the present moment.

Here is our list of essentials for outdoor yoga:

A Cushy Mat:

Nature is not as smooth as a studio floor, so you’ll want something with a little more give to cover little branches or rocks. You can also stack two on top of each other or use a yoga blanket.

A Towel:

Unless you want to bring the outdoors back indoors with you, a towel is a must. Use it to towel off after class, after a post yoga dip in the water and especially to brush all the dirt/sand/pine needles off your mat.

Sunscreen:

Make sure to slather it on. It’ll keep you from burning and help to avoid awkward tan lines.

Water:

Make sure to stay hydrated and listen to your body. Even if you don’t bring it to your studio classes.

A Smile:

Unless you own a private island or acreage, there’s a good chance someone will see you doing yoga outside. You might have your photo taken by a tourist, be the centre of someone’s conversation or feel a few eyes awkwardly watching you. Don’t let this throw off your focus. Consider yourself an ambassador of yoga, smile and if you need to, close your eyes.

A Sense of Humour:

Outdoor yoga is very different from studio yoga. The ground is uneven, the lighting is different, the sounds are different, even the smell is different (fresh air). As a result, the same indoor postures bring about new challenges outdoors and you might feel a little discouraged. If you feel a little wobbly or fall, laugh it off. It’s all part of the experience. Just enjoy being outside and soak up as much Vitamin D as possible.