We got such a treat this morning! Upon arriving at yoga class (a minute or two late), we found an empty studio, but through the window saw everyone gathering out on the roof deck for todays practice. It was soooo wonderful to be literally saluting the sun! It got us thinking how we should shift more of our exercise to the outdoors.
In addition to being enjoyable, the fresh air and heat of the sun made all the difference in going just that little bit further with our practice. Deep breathing and warmed up muscles made for what seemed to be an especially effective session. The change of pace was welcome too - making the usual routine seem fresh.
Running and biking are givens to take out of the gym and on to the streets in warm weather, but we're wondering how many of you with outside spaces use them as a spot for exercise at home?
Down dog on the deck? Pilates on the patio? Let us know in the comments below...
Image: by Dronir on Flickr licensed under Creative Commons
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Comments (10)
Hauling mulch, and tilling by hand.
Yeah, I'm with hrleise, gardening is my outdoor exercise.
But where I used to work, sometimes Tai Chi was being done by groups on the lawn. So graceful to watch! (So HARD to do, at least the time I rented a video to try!)
I'm with ya, hrleise.
Getting up early and going for walks on a warm sunny spring or summer morning or during the winter on a cold foggy morning before the city becomes fully awake.
But walking in general, even in the evenings as the sun sets is nice - especially when it's still quite balmy out there at 9-10pm.
Millennium Park is starting outdoor fitness classes this weekend. If you don't need a super calm atmosphere to do yoga this could be a fun thing to do with friends.
http://www.millenniumpark.org/parkevents/fitness.aspx
Most weekday mornings I run with the dog regardless of the season, but I'm thinking of trading my indoor workouts at the boxing gym for outdoor club rugby practice for the summer. Seems a shame to waste what little blissfully warm and dry weather we get in Portland.
A small group of folks do tai-chi at the building where I used to work.
The most peaceful time was two years ago, when we practiced outside in the winter, in the covered parking garage while it was snowing heavily. It was not windy, and the snow muffled all noises, making it extremely quiet and tranquil in the midst of a hectic workday.
what a beautiful picture & wonderful sentiment. Who made these statues???
Luckily I swim and I use my annual passes to frequent the local theme parks. If it wasn't for that....I would probably get little to no outdoor exercise.
bcthree, statues are made by a finnish outsider artist Veijo Rönkkönen. his place certainly would do an interesting great outdoors entry, there's few hundreds of these human-sized statues around his house :)