Outdoor Practice

[Guest guest]

One of the purposes of Ashtanga asana practice is

to raise core body temperature which is why it is so

detoxifying. I am sure you know of the many other benefits of

raised core temperature during practice. As a result of

this raised core temperature, your body will sweat

(usually) Outside there are breezes and fluctuations in air

temperature which could work to lower your core temperature

and also make the sweat cold which is not good at all

for you. It can be harmful and can make you stiff.

There are similar reasons for not drinking water during

practice. This is what I have been taught and I am sure

that there are also other reasons. I'm sure that you

can do yoga anywhere you want but it is always good

to make an informed decision. SOme people cannot

avoid leaving yoga practice and going right out into

the outdoors. <br><br>By the way, I am not a true

scholar and I lie a lot. I am also known to be a shrill.

I go to all the meetings so I can let you know who

is REALLY a shrill, and who isn't.<br><br>Trinka.

[Guest guest]

looking back i can't believe i thought trayam was

serious! you all are a hoot! i really don't think

practicing outside is that great of an idea, i was just

pointing out the faults of any "bible". peace all!

shanti.

[Guest guest]

Like so many things in yoga, the only way to

truly "know" what is best, is to investigate it

yourself, in your own body.<br><br>Personally, i've

practiced in direct sunlight, which made me feel too hot

and scattered. And i've practiced outside, but under

an awning, which made me feel cool and

scattered.<br><br>I wonder if, aside from the grosser physical

experience of temperature fluctuation, there are energetic

reasons to practice inside, in a controlled environment.

In ashtanga yoga, we're doing such powerful and

subtle work with the five "winds" -- prana vayu, apana

vayu, samana vayu, udana vayu, and vyana vayu. The

action of the bandhas, the ujjayi breath, vinyasa, etc.

all act to shape and direct the flow of these subtle

energies in the body. It almost feels like being outside,

and subjected to the outside elements, disrupts these

carefully directed flows -- hence the feeling of being a

bit "scattered".<br><br>(and, by the way, i love

godfrey devereux's exposition of how these different

forms of Prana are associated with the five Elements

and the different facets of ashtanga practice. To

whit:<br><br>air - pranayama - prana vayu<br>earth - asana - apana

vayu<br>fire - bandha - samana vayu<br>ether - drishti - udana

vayu<br>water - vinyasa - vyana vayu)

[Guest guest]

i dont recall making that particular association,

and if i did i was definitely dissimulating as i dont

have a clue, despite what ive read about them, what

those five vayu actually are...taking care of strong

heat and wind i love doing yoga in mother natures

care, but its not for people who take themselves too

seriously....

[Guest guest]

If you are practicing as traditionally as

possible, does it really matter if you take a break every

now and then and go outside anymore then it matters

if you play music instead of silence when you need a

lift, or you practice in the late afternoon versus

sunrise? This is especially true for those of us who

practice all by our lonesome. And good news for those who

venture away from the cow dung, so far I haven't been hit

by a lightning bolt, maybe you'll be lucky

too.<br><br>Routine is good and there's something important to be

learned from it but lordy mama, to not have a practice

outside of all those thousands of practices inside would

be strange for me, yoga makes me appreciate outside

things.....<br><br>my 4 point plan for the occasional beach diversion

this summer:<br><br>1) practice in early morning, late

afternoon during the steamy summer - cloud cover is good,

wear sunblock<br>2) Find a quiet spot and aim for the

hard packed sand, be prepared for variations in

surface and tell yourself its good for your balance<br>3)

after a nice long rest under umbrella, grab snorkel and

goggles and take a dip in the ocean - <br>4) head back

under umbrella and contemplate something fine to

eat<br><br>s