Mindfulness and Inner Calm: Embrace Nature's Tranquility for a Deeper Connection
Mindful Movement in Nature
If you're looking for ways to cultivate mindfulness in your life, spend some time moving in nature. Sit, walk, run, stretch, stand. Slow down, look around.
Find an outdoor setting that speaks to you, and allow yourself to fully immerse in the experience. It doesn't need to be fancy. A kid’s outdoor sporting event can be an opportunity to take a few minutes to pay attention to the environment around you.
There's something about the fresh air, the sound of the birds, and the feel of the earth beneath your feet that can help to ground you and bring you into the present moment.
Helping Others
I live near the mountains. At my kids’ former school, which had concrete playgrounds, many of the children never had been on one of the trails. A group of similarly-minded parents tried to make more opportunities for this type of activity. I believe this is so important, I try to support organizations that create gardens and green spaces in urban areas where they are lacking, but I mostly do work in my own “backyard”. In our area there is less community investment in public schools, so that’s a tangible area where I can put energy to help create equity and accessibility for all kids.
When my kids were babies and cried, often a change in environment, stepping outside, was all they needed to calm.
Through this practice, I've been able to tap into a deeper sense of connection with both my body and the world around me.
Whether I'm practicing yoga poses or simply taking a walk through the neighborhood, being outside helps me to quiet my mind and find a sense of inner calm.
Take deep breaths, feel the sun (or rain, or chill) on your skin, and allow yourself to be fully present in the moment. Maybe even take off your shoes and feel your feet on some grass…
About The Author
Gwen Yeager is an LA-based yoga expert who loves helping people deepen their practice in practical ways that work with real-life (she’s also a cancer survivor and mother of twins). She provides her students with resources to incorporate healthy movement, breathwork, and mindfulness into every nook and cranny of living. While her teaching style is down-to-earth and approachable — she’s a stickler about the science movement and proper anatomical alignment because nothing is more important than long-term mobility and a vibrant quality of life!
