The Benefits of Practicing Yoga in Nature

Practicing yoga outside in fresh air.

When I teach outdoor yoga classes in Madrid, I always use the environment around us as a tool to draw my students into the present moment.

At the start of class, I guide them to focus on their breath and notice the sensation of fresh air entering the nose and refreshing the body. Then, I invite them to tune into their senses—the evening breeze on their skin, the sounds of birds in the trees, or the hum of city traffic in the distance.

Nature is an incredible tool for mindfulness. Reconnecting with the natural world while practicing yoga helps anchor the mind in the present and deepen the connection to the body. I see this consistently when teaching yoga classes in parks and in outdoor spaces in the city.

Research backs this up: spending time in nature has been shown to help to relieve stress, improve feelings of happiness and overall mood. Recent studies have found that time in green spaces can support mental and physical health in a variety of ways—from better sleep and brain function to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Yoga itself offers many similar benefits. Physically, it builds strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. Mentally, it can reduce stress and anxiety, ease depression, and boost quality of life. When combined with time spent outside, the effects become even more powerful.

Time in nature is an essential part of my own mental and physical well-being. I set aside time every day to take walks to parks in the city, where I enjoy reading and doing yoga. Some of my favorite activities outside of yoga—like running, hiking, and swimming—are things I practice outdoors all year round.

Because time outdoors is such a big part of my own life, I knew when I moved to Madrid that I wanted to teach yoga in outdoor settings. The city’s dry climate, with its warm summers and mild winters, makes this possible for much of the year. While it’s often too cold in the winter, from April to November, the city’s parks are ideal for outdoor practice.

Madrid is also one of the sunniest cities in Europe, receiving around 2,900 hours of sunshine each year. That sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which supports everything from bone health and immunity to cardiovascular function and emotional well-being.

Living in the city center, I’m lucky to be near some of Madrid’s most beautiful parks, like El Retiro and Templo de Debod. These spaces, filled with trees, grassy lawns, and wide-open views, are perfect places to teach and practice yoga.

In a fast-paced metropolitan city, taking time to slow down in green spaces is essential. It helps us reconnect with our center, even amidst the chaos. That’s why I hold classes outside whenever the season allows—so I can offer my students a bit of peace, grounding, and connection with the present moment.