Practicing yoga outdoors and being self conscious

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi All,

I’ve recently tried to move my morning yoga practice outdoors. I live in a subdivision, the back of the house faces a large pond, where my house is one of many situated near the pond’s circumference. Thought it be a great idea to catch some sun in the morning, and catch a tan while I do my practice.

The issue is that when I do try to practice in the morning sun, on my deck I begin to get self conscious. I begin to think that people will see me, as its I’m clearly visible on the second floor deck, by all the surrounding houses. Or I start thinking people will think I’m weird for doing yoga on my deck, or that my body is skinny and other will disapprove, etc. I practice my yoga in just shorts BTW.

Should I challenge myself and disregard the distractions which prompt my self conscious thoughts? Or should I relocate to a more isolated area, indoors, where there is no potential of being seen? I love the fresh air, sun, its warmth, and the birds chirping, but I dislike the self consciousness which seems to be activated by the environment.

Cheers,
TK

#2

I do yoga every morning at the beach… open area… everyone can see me and look at me bending over :slight_smile: etc…

People usually stop and ask - what r u doing, why, what is yoga? Or why r u bending over in front on my spouse? ( In that case I have to pay respect to the old lady and bend ober in the other direction:)

I felt very-very uncomfortable for the first time too, but over the time you will naturally withdraw your attention and draw it to your practice and to bird singing:)

Good luck

#3

I also have tried to practice yoga outdoors- in a park- and felt very self conscious. There were creepy men who sat close to me and watched, not in a “what are you doing way”, more in a pervy way. Since I was so traumatized by the experience, haha, I didn’t do the park thing again until this summer. I have done yoga in a park in a small group a couple of times this year, and I find it to be a completely different experience. Perhaps invite a friend to practice with you on your deck, if you have space. This might change the feeling you have and give you more confidence to practice alone out there.

I will also give my personal park practice another try. Since practicing in a group, I have really learned to shut off the people around me and enjoy the breeze, grass and trees more. It really is a wonderful feeling.

Cheers!

#4

Thank you for your responses and encouragement. I’ll continue on with my outdoor practice as I really do love the morning sun and crisp air. Just makes me want to absorb the rays and eat up the fresh air, its great. Our home is up north of Toronto, Bolton to be exact, away from the pollution. Perhaps I can move my yoga practice to an earlier hour, decrease the numbers of people potentially watching, currently I start my practice at 7:15 am.

Also perhaps I’ll need to do some research on this, but as a yoga beginner, it’s my understanding to self focus during the yoga practice? How is that different from being self-conscious? Aren’t you self focusing, or is it self focus through an outsiders eyes?

BTW, I’m a male, in the west yoga seems to be associated with being a female activity. Strange how these thoughts have the ability to influence my self-consciousness, even though I did not create these thoughts. Just that these thoughts arise, when I start thinking during my practice, omg what if my neighbors see me, what will they think, etc…

Anyway starting to get off topic… thanks for the input guys…

cheers,

#5

Think I found the answer.. :slight_smile:

#6

Hi,

Today was a cloudy and cool day. I had to wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt to practice yoga outside today. I think being clothed helped with feeling more comfortable and not as self conscious. But I was determined today, even had my next door neighbor taking peeks through her window, i noticed, somehow :). But I just continued on with my practice.

#7

Haha! Good for you! I know someone who lives in Bolton, and it does seem that north of Toronto, yoga is still an extremely female dominated practice. I taught up in Vaughan for a bit, and I think at least 95% of my students were women up there, compared with probably closer to 60% female, 40% male here in TO.

When practicing, the focus should be primarily on the breath. But, as beginner, the focus will be a little all over the place at first while your body and mind adjusts to the practice. And I understand your self consciousness, but don’t worry you’ll get used to it. And if you keep it up, so will your neighbours! They’ll probably get bored after a while and not even notice you doing your daily practice. I commend you for going back out there. :slight_smile:

#8

Then it is better to include everything in your meditation. Consider every thing as self or god - The sense of shyness, the people, your body, all the feelings that comes , the sunshine, and all the sounds around you… everything. This is non-concentrated meditation of higher level. By practicing this you attain oneness and you become fearless.

#9

The other evening I walked over to a reservoir, went over to a pier, and practiced yoga for about half an hour. There was a fisherman on an adjacent pier, and maybe a couple hikers. Since it is a low key kind of place it was no big deal that I was holding and moving through some yoga poses while breathing deep and slow. It was actually wonderful doing so right at the water. I suppose doing the same thing at a more people watching oriented place or time would have been a distraction. Point being that a low key, relaxed setting is probably the way to go for a more inward focused practice.

#10

Interesting finding this thread - last night I taught my first outdoors class of the summer, on the lawn outside our center.
We’re in the hills, so there aren’t many people around.
It’s best doing yoga outdoors - for many reasons, but primarily the FRESH AIR.
Also, feeling the expanse of sky above you; hearing the sounds of nature, alive, all around you. Sensing the EARTH beneath your feet, not just concrete!
I love it - I did sometimes feel self-conscious when I used to practice in a park in London, but now, I don’t think twice.
Focus on your practice. Let the rest wash over you.
Ben