While hiking, I often take some time to meditate in a meadow or do postures under a tree. I have found that my mind finds peace easily in these settings. Think about your own experiences. Are there outdoor activities that bring calm to your brain? Gardening, kayaking, bicycling, sailing, and sitting quietly on the porch in the sun are a few potential examples.
“Yogas citta vritta nirodhah.” The second sutra from the first chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras simply states that yoga is the quieting of the mind. Thus, the peace we experience in natural environments is yoga. But exactly what is it about the outdoors that helps us find quietude?
The word “yoga” itself means union. During yoga, many layers of mental complexity fall away and our minds unite with our most essential functions—the pumping of the heart and the movement of the breath. Natural environments facilitate this union of mind and body because the materials and rhythms of nature are the same as those found inside us. The earth and stones are like our bones. The flowing of water reminds us of the movement of our blood. The wind is the same as the air moving in and out of our lungs. The chorus of birds calling to each other is akin to the millions of neurons signaling to each other throughout the nervous system.
In natural places, it is easier to connect to our most essential nature because that nature is reflected all around us. We experience a union of internal and external and realize, on an intuitive level, that all boundaries are artificial. In short, nature brings the experience of oneness that is the ultimate yoga.
Next time you are outside on a lovely day, maybe take a little time to do some asana, meditation, or breathing exercises. You might be surprised at how quickly your mind finds calm. Also, simply pay attention to your breathing and to your thoughts next time you are outside doing your favorite activity. You may find that the yoga has found you!
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