In 2020, as the world grappled with the pandemic, many rediscovered the simple joy of outdoor activities. The Global Wellness Summit highlights that this trend is enduring, with a growing number of people engaging in multiday hikes to reconnect with nature and find spiritual solace. Studies reveal that immersing oneself in nature can alleviate rumination and enhance cognitive functions, such as working memory. Research conducted by UC Irvine’s Morality, Emotion, and Social Hierarchy Lab in 2022 also indicates that outdoor recreation is linked to increased empathy, higher rates of volunteerism, and a reduction in violent crime.
Personal Experience: Finding Solace in Nature
Struggling with anxiety over job and housing markets and dealing with a lower back injury, I sought relief through an outdoor yoga and sound healing session. Led by local yoga instructor Rocío Solis, the class was held at 10 a.m. in a serene field of St. Augustine grass. Solis, who left her corporate career in 2020 to pursue yoga full-time, had studied at the Samudra Global School of Living Yoga in Laguna Beach. Due to the pandemic, her classes had been relocated to outdoor venues like the beach and Heisler Park. Solis found outdoor practice liberating compared to the constraints of a studio setting and began offering free monthly outdoor yoga and sound bath sessions earlier this year to extend these benefits to a broader audience.
The Yoga Session
The yoga session focused on gentle movements that targeted the hips and upper body. The setting was uniquely tranquil, with the sounds of birds singing in the nearby willow, alder, catalpa, and poplar trees, while the distant hum of traffic on Goldenwest Street provided a subtle urban backdrop. Midway through the session, the flight of Canadian geese overhead and their honking interrupted Solis’ instructions, prompting laughter from the participants.
Despite my tendency to ruminate, I experienced moments of tranquility during poses that rejuvenated my hips and lats. While the natural and urban sounds created a less controlled environment compared to the usual studio ambiance of soothing, lo-fi music, learning to accept and appreciate these sounds enhanced my overall happiness.
The Sound Bath
Following the yoga practice, we relaxed on our backs for a sound bath. Solis used crystal singing bowls, chimes, and bells, which harmonized with the natural sounds of the surrounding birds. This sensory blend made it challenging to dwell on future worries, contributing to a profound sense of relaxation.
By the end of the day, I felt physically relaxed and treated myself with more compassion than I had previously. This experience underscored the significant benefits of integrating nature into wellness practices, proving that outdoor activities and mindful practices can offer substantial mental and physical relief.
