There is something truly magical about rolling out your mat when the sun is up. As someone who has spent years finding my own rhythm, and let us be honest, recovering from the kind of accident that makes you appreciate every single movement, I have learned that where you practice matters. But how you feel while you practice is where the sensory details come in.
For a long time, I focused on mechanics. I thought about grip, density, and the importance of a mat that does not smell like a middle school gym locker. We covered that in our deep dive on mat maintenance earlier this spring in Why Your Yoga Mat Smells Bad (And Why It Keeps Coming Back). But this summer, I want to talk about something different. I want to talk about the soundscape of your practice.
When you take your practice outdoors, to your backyard, a local park, or that secret spot by the lake, the world is not silent. The birds are chattering, a distant lawnmower might be humming, or the wind is rustling through the leaves. Sometimes that is enough. But often, adding a curated layer of sound acts as a bridge between the chaos of the world and the calm of your internal landscape.
Why Sound Matters Even Outside
We often think of yoga as a quiet endeavor, but sound is an incredible tool for focus. In the same way that a beautiful, artist-designed mat creates a visual container for your practice, a playlist creates an auditory one.
When you are outside, you are exposed. You are vulnerable to the unpredictability of the elements. That is why I love taking a Big Raven mat outdoors. They are durable enough to handle the ground, but soft enough to remind you that you are worthy of comfort even when you are in the wild. Music, or even ambient soundscapes, signals to your nervous system that this is the time to breathe, stretch, and return to yourself.
How to Set Up Your Outdoor Sanctuary
Once you have your soundscape settled, the next step is making sure your physical space is just as inviting. I have learned a few hard lessons about outdoor practice over the years, and I want to save you from trial and error. Here is how I set up my space so I can stay in my body and out of my head:
-
Scout the Terrain: Look for a flat patch of grass or a deck space that is away from high-traffic walkways. If you are on grass, check for hidden rocks or damp spots before you unroll your mat. My mats are tough, but a stable foundation makes a world of difference for your balance.
-
The Bug and Sun Buffer: Before I start, I make sure I am comfortable. I keep a little natural bug spray nearby, and I always position my mat so the sun is not directly in my eyes during my primary poses.
-
The One-Click Rule: Do not spend the first ten minutes of your practice scrolling through your phone. Set your intention, turn on your "Do Not Disturb" mode, and place it face down far away from your mat. Do not touch it again until you are in Savasana.
-
Lean Into the Elements: If the wind kicks up or a bird starts singing, let it be part of the practice. Instead of fighting the distractions, acknowledge them. Use the rustling leaves as your rhythm and the warmth of the sun as a reminder to breathe a little deeper.
Ready to take your practice into the fresh air? Browse our latest collection of artist-designed mats to find the perfect visual companion for your outdoor sanctuary.
Designing Your Summer Soundscape
I am a firm believer that your playlist should match the vibe of your mat. Is your mat a bold, high-energy print? Maybe you need something with a bit more rhythm. Is it a soft, ethereal landscape? You might want ambient, instrumental tracks.
The Morning Radiance Flow
There is a specific kind of stillness at 6:00 AM before the rest of the world wakes up. The air is cool, the grass is wet with dew, and you are just starting to wake up your body. For this, you do not want anything jarring.
-
The Vibe: Uplifting, acoustic, instrumental, and light.
-
The Mat Pair: This is the perfect time for your most colorful, sunrise-inspired mats. The visual of the colors meeting the early light of the day is unbeatable.
The Golden Hour Grounding
As the sun starts to dip lower, the energy changes. You are not trying to heat up anymore. You are trying to let go of the day. This is when I love to lean into restorative yoga or long, deep holds.
-
The Vibe: Slow, bass-heavy, ethereal, and steady.
-
The Mat Pair: Pair this with your darkest, most grounded artistic designs. The deep hues of a forest or a starry night print help settle the nervous system as the natural light fades.
Artistic Immersions
When I started Big Raven Yoga, my mission was about more than just giving you a place to put your hands and feet. It was about creating an artistic experience. When you layer in sound, you engage all your senses. You have the vibrant, intentional art on your mat, the texture of the material, and the music that directs your energy.
It is not just doing yoga. It is curating your reality for an hour. It is an act of defiance against a world that is usually loud, fast, and uninspired. By choosing to step outside, onto a piece of art, with a soundtrack that honors your journey, you are doing something radical. You are claiming your space.
Moving Into Late Summer
As we move through July and into August, I want you to remember that your practice does not have to look like a perfect studio class. It does not have to be perfect at all.
Maybe some days your outdoor practice is just sitting on your mat in the grass, eyes closed, listening to the wind, with the music off. Maybe other days it is a full, sweaty, vigorous flow with your favorite high-energy tracks. The beauty of having a mat that is actually yours, one that is durable, one that holds your history, one that features art that speaks to you, is that it gives you the confidence to take your practice wherever you need to go.
So, this weekend, pick a spot. It could be your deck, a quiet corner of your yard, or that park bench you pass every day. Bring your mat, grab your phone, and curate a soundscape that makes you feel exactly who you want to be.
Ready to start your own summer ritual? Click here to choose the design that speaks to you and prepare for your next outdoor flow.
And if you are out there and you feel moved, please share it with us. We love seeing where these mats end up, the places they travel, the sunsets they watch, and the music they listen to. Tag us in your photos or send them our way! Seeing our mats out in the wild, being used as a backdrop for your own unique journey, is truly the greatest gift I get as the founder of this little raven-hearted company.
Happy flowing, and enjoy every single note of your summer.