It’s all about soft fascination.
Peaceful outdoor settings like a park, beach, or rooftop are ideal places to mix up your regular yoga practice.
Science confirms it: Simply being in these places can improve brain health through soft fascination, the same mental state that yoga promotes. In it, the brain homes in on the present environment without being overwhelmed with what yogis call monkey mind. In the end, soft fascination recharges the brain to improve focus and reduce stress. These four poses are ideal for wherever your next outdoor workout takes you. No blocks or straps required.
Wild Thing
From downward facing dog, lift the right leg into a downdog split and open the hip. Bend your right leg, allow your left foot to fall sideways, and release the ball of the right foot behind you, almost in line with the hip. Press into the ball of the foot and allow your pelvis to lift upward, letting the neck and head release back. Open the chest and reach strongly through your lifted arm. Hold for 5 breaths, return to start, and repeat on the other side.
Dolphin
Begin in a forearm plank with your hands clasped. Walk your feet in towards your hands until you reach a shape similar to downward facing dog but on your forearms. Hold for 5 breaths, then release.
Bow Pose
Lie on your stomach and as you inhale, squeeze your shoulder blades together and lift head, neck, and chest off the floor. Engage your abdomen, firm your glutes, lift your legs and bend the knees. Reach your arms back and catch the ankles from the inside. Lift your legs and push them back into your hands, lift and expand across the chest, and breathe. Hold for 5 breaths, then release.
Superman
Begin lying on your stomach, arms overhead with thumbs facing upward and feet together. Keeping ears and biceps in alignment, contract all posterior chain muscles to lift legs, arms, and chest off the floor. Hold for 5 breaths, then release.