Yoga is a gift from India. It has helped people around the world feel stronger, calmer, and more balanced. In India, people now practice yoga not just in homes or studios, but also in parks and open spaces. This trend is more than just a change of location. It shows how nature itself helps our yoga practice.
Parks Becoming Yoga Spaces
Across India, public spaces are embracing yoga. For example, Uttar Pradesh has built over 100 “Yoga Parks.” These parks have drinking water, clean seating, and open lawns. They are meant to be used every day—not just on special occasions like International Yoga Day. Local officials are asked to keep them clean and safe for all ages.
In Varanasi, Beniya Bagh Park and several ghats and gardens hosted yoga gatherings on International Yoga Day. People from many walks of life—students, railway workers, forest department staff, and families—gathered there to practice. Yoga became part of daily life.
Chandigarh is also keen on yoga in parks. Thousands came together in places like Tiranga Urban Park and Rock Garden. Doctors, students, officials—everyone joined in. Yoga was used in healing, reduced stress, and even helped treat chronic back pain.
The Earth and Our Health
India also celebrated International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2025, with the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” In Visakhapatnam, the Prime Minister led a session. Yoga was held in parks, beaches, and even in high-altitude places like Siachen. It showed how yoga can connect us to both nature and to peace.
In Vadodara, people performed an eco-spiritual sequence known as the “Prithvi Namaskar.” They did yoga barefoot on bare earth—no yoga mats. This was done as a prayer to Mother Earth and to show love for the environment.
Why Nature Enhances Yoga
Practicing yoga in nature gives more than fresh air. It aligns with ideas like green exercise. This means physical activity done in natural surroundings. Studies show that even short time spent outdoors improves mood, reduces stress, and boosts self-esteem. The effect is even stronger near water.
Another concept is forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku. It comes from Japan. The idea is to breathe in and absorb nature with all our senses—sight, smell, touch, sound. People feel calmer. Their blood pressure goes down. Stress hormones, like cortisol, reduce. Their immune systems may also get stronger.
Outdoor exercise also brings more fresh air and vitamin D from sunlight. It helps reduce heart rate and blood pressure. It lifts mood. This is shown by a recent study.
Real Stories from Yoga in Parks
Actual experiences from yoga practitioners show how special outdoor yoga can feel.
One person wrote that their outdoor practice was powerful:
“The air felt different. The sounds of nature made everything more peaceful. Looking up at the sky while moving through each pose felt so freeing.”
Another shared how they felt self-conscious at first. But after a few Surya Namaskars, they forgot and enjoyed the breeze. Another said:
“You’re not hurting anyone. Do whatever makes you happy.”
These stories tell us that parks offer more than space. They give comfort, grounding, and freedom.
Read about: Yoga for Monsoon Days: Indoor Routines to Stay Active
Parks and the Indian Community
In Jharkhand’s Ranchi, a local body started free yoga at Sidhu & Kanhu Park. Morning walkers could join daily sessions for free with expert trainers. This small move inspired many, especially senior citizens, to embrace daily fitness.
Such initiatives show how India brings yoga and nature together for public benefit. The parks become places to heal, to breathe, to gather.
Why This Matters Today
India has always valued yoga as more than exercise. It is a culture, a way of life. Now, as we face fast lives and screen-filled days, nature gives us calm. The parks help make yoga simple and accessible.
They bring mental peace and physical strength. They connect us with Earth. They remind us that well-being is both personal and shared.
Using Parks for Your Practice
If you want to try yoga in a park, here are some simple tips:
- Choose a calm time. Early mornings or late evenings work best.
- Bring a mat or use grass. Make sure the ground is even.
- Start with easy poses like Tadasana, Vrikshasana, or simple stretches.
- Breathe deeply. Listen to birds, wind, and rustling leaves.
- Respect the space. Be mindful of others and the local rules.
- Invite a friend or group. Practicing together is joyful.
In Every City, A Green Yoga Spot
From Nasriganj to New Delhi, parks can become yoga zones. Cities like Delhi plan events in many parks every year. Programs like Harit Yoga (green yoga) and Yoga Unplugged—led by youth and local groups—help connect more people to nature and yoga.
Final Thoughts
Yoga in parks is not just a trend. It is a path back to nature. It is simple, calming, and powerful. It embraces the mind, the body, and the Earth. Whether you start at dawn in Nasriganj or a lush garden in Delhi, rolling out your mat outdoors can be an awakening.
Nature offers healing, balance, and connection. When you add yoga to that, the practice grows deeper. It becomes a rooted, grounded, and shared journey toward wellness—for you, for your community, and for the Earth.
Author: Sonam
