It’s Natural |
Breathe on a breeze with outdoor yoga
As the weather warms, yoga classes are headed outside, which only seems natural.
Just ask Warren Guthrie. He’s been practicing yoga for four years. When the pandemic hit last year, his yoga class at Reach Yoga studio in Glencoe met outside.
Guthrie describes the early morning sessions just as the sun was rising as “magical.” The light would slowly touch the foliage on the trees. White clouds danced above, matched by the pale underside of seagulls overhead.
As the light brightened, people could be seen walking their dogs through the park. The flow of the yoga poses, and fresh air helped Guthrie feel more in control, calmer. “It’s just spectacular,” says Guthrie, looking forward to outdoor classes again this spring.
Seeking harmony
By definition, yoga is a discipline that seeks the perfect harmony between man and nature. So, outdoor classes naturally make sense. Participants work on breathing exercises, meditation and body poses. The outdoors boosts awareness of our connection to nature and elevates our mood. Deep breathing is best done with fresh air.
The physical benefits of yoga as we age are well documented. Yoga strengthens bones and reduces stress. It improves balance and mobility. Older people who enjoy yoga sleep better too.
Tori Weller was a long-distance runner. She loved running but as she aged, it resulted in injuries and sore muscles. Ten years ago, she took up yoga at a studio in south suburban Shorewood called Essence of Life. “Yoga made me slow down,” says Weller. “It helps me stay healthy.”
Weller is a busy grandmother who works as a surgical assistant at a hospital. Her yoga experience has been injury free. She credits it with helping her not pack on extra pounds during the pandemic too.
Outdoor classes are a plus, according to Weller who likes going barefoot. “I get
energy from the earth,” she says. Last summer, she took a yoga class at a lavender field with music playing in the background. “It was lovely,” she says. Participants took home some lavender after class.
Trending
Yoga is growing in popularity, especially among older adults. It’s estimated that about 14 million adults over the age of 50 practice yoga.
There are different types of yoga classes from those for beginners, such as gentle or restorative yoga, to power yoga for the pros. (Think headstands.)
Some classes are geared for older people, though most welcome anyone. Yoga props, such as a chair, are available for those who need a little help.
“So many people get to a certain age and think they don’t need to exercise,” says Jodie Baudek. “Yoga is about functional movement.”
Baudek runs the Essence of Life studio in Shorewood as well as a studio in Chicago. Her Chicago location features a cobblestone patio for outdoor classes. The gated space includes flowers and trees. “It is a hidden oasis in the city,” she says.
The practice of yoga helps older people stay flexible, says Baudek. It improves the range of motion for joints and increases muscle strength. “You have to be able to reach into a cabinet,” she says. “If you have to give up workouts, don’t give up yoga.”
When starting yoga, it’s important to take it slow to avoid injuries. “You want to be able to come back the next day,” says Laura Merlo, owner of Reach Yoga in Glencoe. She notes that the more you move and stretch, the more flexible you become. “You’ll be able to get up and down more easily and pick up a grandchild,” she says.
Many options
In general, yoga classes vary somewhat in price. Discounts are often available for those over age 65.
Yoga classes and one-time workshops are easy to find. They are generally offered by private yoga studios, park districts and fitness clubs. Private group lessons and one-day workshops are available too. Enthusiasts have favorite instructors. Recommendations are shared on social media.
The Naperville Park District plans to hold outdoor classes this summer at three different locations. The Wilmette Park District has classes scheduled at the Gilson Park Beach.
Beach Yoga Chicago will offer yoga classes seven days a week at Montrose Beach starting in early June. “The sand is safer,” says Indigo Monae, who runs the program. She explains that the shifting surface is forgiving and not as hard as a floor in case of a fall.
Monae also runs Yoga Gardens, a nonprofit on the West Side that grows organic vegetables and teaches yoga to the local community. It is supported in part by proceeds from the yoga lessons on the beach.
Instructors recommend making a commitment to attend classes for a few months before deciding whether yoga is the right fit for you. It can take some time to see all the benefits.
In his 60s, John Finnegan was apprehensive about trying yoga. He associated yoga with ringing gongs and meditation. But he decided to give yoga a chance and now he feels like he did when he was in his 20s. “It’s amazing I feel this way as old as I am,” says Finnegan. He takes classes at Reach Studio in Glencoe and enjoyed the outdoor sessions last year.
“I want to make the most of the next years,” says Finnegan. “I’m happy to be alive to enjoy these days.”