Every year, summer comes along and I dream of practicing yoga outside with a gentle breeze in my hair, birds singing around me, connecting with nature and bathed in sunlight, while feeling blissfully serene and balanced. However, in reality, this dreamy experience tends to be somewhat less enlightened.

First, there are the bugs. Not just one or two insects, but an entire airborne community. The moment I settle into a peaceful pose, something will buzz next to my ear and throw me off balance. Downward dog is practiced while swatting, and any attempt at stillness is interrupted by the feeling that something tiny is exploring my ankle. Honestly, inner peace is difficult to achieve when I’m wondering whether the tickle on my foot is a leaf or an ant.

Then there is the issue of the ground itself. Grass looks soft and inviting from a distance, but up close it’s a different story and often uneven, damp and full of mysterious lumps. My yoga mat never quite lies flat and then add in the possibility of twigs, pebbles, or that one inexplicably sharp blade of grass, and relaxation really turns into a journey of sorts!

Of course, don’t forget the audience — outdoors is very public. Whether it’s curious passers-by and dogs, or someone stopping to watch me hold a pose, there’s an undeniable feeling of being observed and nothing disrupts my focus quite like making eye contact with a stranger while attempting something that requires both my concentration and dignity.

The weather, too, has its own ideas. Sunshine sounds lovely until it’s directly in my eyes or heating my mat up and burning my feet. A gentle breeze can quickly turn into a gust that flips the corner of my mat over mid-pose. And if it’s particularly warm, maintaining a grip on my mat becomes increasingly slippery.

In conclusion, for me, while outdoor yoga promises tranquillity and connection with nature, it often doesn’t quite deliver. That said, it is not without its charms, but achieving inner calm might be easier somewhere with fewer insects, flatter ground and no spectators. Ultimately, the best approach is to choose the setting that feels right for you and supports your own sense of peace and comfort.

Sarah Highfield is a yoga teacher, three-time OM cover model and regular contributor. Visit: yogagise.com or find her on Instagram @Yogagise