My Discovery of Five Parks Yoga
I will tell the truth, my yoga practice went badly out of shape. I got caught in this loop of spending money on costly studio classes that were more a chore than a refuge or following along with a screen in my small living room. I was out of touch, with the practice, and with some sense of community. Then I learnt about Five Parks Yoga. It was not a program requiring a brand name or a very expensive subscription, it was just a very nice concept: go to another local park once a week with my practice.
This one choice did not only alter my routine, but it fully rejuvenated my attitude towards exercise, being more conscious, and my relationship with my home. I would like to share my experience of how I was able to transform my life when I embraced five parks yoga and how you can do the same.
Why I Sold Four Walls Green Space.
The change between a sterile environment indoors with all its conveniences to the dynamic beauty of a park was a revelation to me. I began to listen to the information, and it was what I was experiencing. One of many interesting studies by the University of Michigan revealed that nature walks in groups were characterized by a significantly reduced level of depression, reduced perceived stress, and improved mental health. This was something that I was undergoing.
When I needed to look, I would look not at the glass in a stuffy room, but at a big oak tree or the sunlight peeking through the leaves. Air was clean, ground was (unevenly) solid and city noises were substituted by a concert of birds and the noise of fallen leaves. This was not an exercise but a sensory experience that made me feel truly refreshed and not only physically exhausted.
The Making of My Five Parks Yoga Workout.
You may be wondering, that is nice but how do I begin to do it? I had the same question. Flexibility and simplicity of the beauty of five parks yoga lies in its simplicity. There is no reason to complicate it. This is the basic structure that I created to create my own transformative routine:
The Scouting Mission: On one Saturday, I had a coffee and drove without purpose across my town and I was just trying to name five possible parks. I was not aiming at perfection. I made a small neighborhood park with a grassy knoll, a large recreation park with sports fields (and sufficient open space in the fringe), a botanical garden that was free to visit, a park with a scenic pond, and a park with a plain pavilion to take shade on hot days. Variety was the key.
The Gear Tote: I did not invest much. I purchased a non-slip travel yoga mat, which was durable, and I was not against it becoming a bit dirty. I brought a small backpack with a water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray (it is a must in the summer!), and a light towel. That was it. I was ready.
The Stick This Schedule: I chose to have my five parks yoga time on Sundays mornings. I would alternate the parks in my list thus every week had a different setting. With this easy predictable schedule it became easy to commit.
The Unbelievable Good I got out of my Practice in the Park.
And after only a few weeks of regular five parks yoga, the dividends began to pile up in a fashion that I had never expected.
Clarity of mind and relaxation of the body: Mindful movement and connection with nature was an effective remedy to my anxiety. Listening to the natural surroundings around me and concentrating on my breathing helped me to calm the multitude of voices in my head aided by the studio class in no way.
Physical Challenge and Relation: The stability muscles were worked in a completely new way when I was practicing on grass or a slightly uneven surface. My sense of balance also greatly improved due to the ground being an erratic, but nice teacher. Each of the sessions was a novel experience to my body.
Rejuvenated sense of community: This was the least expected gain. Although I tended to work on my own at times, people would sometimes pass by to ask me a question or simply smile. I began to know other regulars, dog walkers, joggers, families, and these little, harmless exchanges brought about a real feeling of belonging. It left me feeling like I belong to my community.
Complete Accessibility and affordability: The practice did not cost me anything following the initial purchase of the mat. It eliminated all financial aspects and made my yoga practice sustainable. In case of rain or sunshine, a choice was always available, although it required relocation to a shelter.
Any Case Study: My Data of the Five Parks Yoga Experiment.
I chose to follow my experience in two months to answer whether the benefits were a mere emotion or something more specific. I then took a basic form of the journal, where I would record my mood, level of stress (out of 1-10), and quality of my sleep every day following my practice.
The Results Were Striking:
Mood Improvement: When I practiced five parks yoga, I said a positive or very positive mood 90 percent of the days versus approximately 60 percent of the days when I did not practice.
Perceived Stress: Before I have been practicing in the park, I have rated my perceived stress at 7/10. After two months of practicing in the park consistently, the results are 3/10.
Consistency: I was able to be consistent with my Sunday routine, and was 100 percent of times consistent, and in the past I had canceled my studio classes approximately 30 percent of the time as I lost motivation.
Even such a simple personal information showed that the yoga and nature combination was making a significant and quantifiable positive change in my general well-being.
My Simple Guide to Opening Your own Five Parks Yoga.
Ready to give it a try? The following are my five steps to starting your own five parks yoga experience with no stress.
Start with Just One Park. There is no rush to locate all the five at the same time. Choose a park near your house and which you feel at ease in. Go there once or twice to have a feel of the place.
Embrace “Imperfect” Practice. Your mat might be on a slope. A squirrel might scurry by. This is part of the charm! Abdicate the notion of an ideal, controlled environment. Connection (not perfection) is the objective.
Use Technology Wisely. I tend to have a podcast or a YouTube audio track (which I pre-downloaded) on my earbuds. This provides me with orientation and is not attached to a screen in the midst of nature.
Be a Steward of the Space. Always clear up on your part. Their attention should be to other users of the park and any rules should be respected. These are beautiful spaces in which we are guests.
Be a Listener to Your Body and the Environment. Keep hydrated, use sunscreen and watch the weather. When one spot does not suit you–go to another.
My Conclusive Reflections on Celebrating the Outdoors.
My five parks yoga experience made me realize that wellness does not necessarily need to be costly, complex and limited. It is a habit that does not only benefit your body and mind, but also helps you to be more connected to the world that is literally on your doorstep.
It serves as a reminder that the fitness center is free, the gymnasium has no walls, the soundtrack is the sounds of nature, and the community is the one you find by simply showing up. then carry your mat in the grass, and inhale the fresh air, and you also have a chance to see how this simple lesson can transform everything.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Five Parks Yoga.
Q1: Am I required to be an experienced yogi in order to attempt five parks yoga?
Not at all! This practice is ideal to any level, and I began as an intermediate practitioner. You are able to standardize your practice. It is all about experience, and not doing advanced poses.
Q2: What in case I am too self-conscious to practice in a crowd?
I felt this way at first too. I would suggest finding an area in the park that is not as busy. It is important to remember that the majority of people are preoccupied with their activities. Once or twice spending time outside, the happiness of being out of doors must probably overwhelm any self-consciousness.
Q3: What will I do in case the weather is bad?
Have a backup plan! There are numerous pavilions or sheltered sections in parks. However, when it is really miserable, you can always go back to the indoor practice that week. The idea is flexibility and not fixedness.
Q4: How do I deal with insects?
Bug spray is your best friend! I use it prior to visiting the park. Also take care of the location of your mat do not lay it near stagnant water or close to big anthills.
Q5: Can the use of yoga in a park be safe alone?
Always prioritize safety. I visit parks that are highly populated and lively particularly in the mornings. I drive my friend or family member aware of my locality and I keep watch of my surroundings. Just use your gut feeling, if something does not feel safe, do not practice there.