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my canyon garden. One of his favorites is the native Nicotiana (or Tobacco Plant) with its long, yellow, tubular owers. No, the feeder is more a re ection of my own sel shness, wanting to keep him coming around to entertain me. e rst thing to do in making a yoga garden is to nd a space. Choosing the right location is essential. If a space does not feel good to you before you put down your mat, it won't feel any better a erwards either. You will want an out-of-the-way spot without foot tra c, but not a stu y corner. You will want a breeze. Breath in. Breathe out. Life is breath. You will also want a little sunshine. Pick the right time of day so a bit of sun falls on your face, ideally early morning or late a ernoon sun, avoiding the distraction of direct midday rays. It will be quieter then, too. Quiet means: away from the street, away from tra c. You will want both a private and quiet space. Doing yoga under trees can be nice, as long as pine needles are not dropping all over your mat and the tree is not making too much shade. If you have a deck, you might appropriate it for your yoga prac- tice. It will need to be clear of objects for a visual and practical ow. Patios can be used too, providing they allow for enough space to stretch. For me, I prefer a piece of earth, as I nd decks to be too hard to be comfortable. Lawns can be okay, depending how lumpy the grass is, but I would rather use a smooth, sandy spot or an area with compressed gravel, where I would place two mats on top of each other. If you choose a patio or deck, small-space potted plants such as Scented Geraniums, Nightshade, Rosemary, and Paper White Narcissus can be arranged to bring your favorite scents close to your face. Tuning in to fragrance will deepen your awareness of other small things and help create a lasting remembrance of your space. Sounds are important, too. A small fountain can bring instant calm, as you listen to it gurgling over pebbles or marbles. e tinkling of windchimes might be the sound you want to listen to during your practice. As gentle breezes blow, listen to their music. Include a statue or another object that has personal meaning to you to focus upon as you meditate and set your intentions for the day. Breathe in, breathe out: Your mind will become clear. Remember, this is your space. Visualize it in your mind's eye. Once you get used to coming to the same spot and rolling out your mat each day, the continuity and familiarity of your own space will let you go further, stretch deeper into your poses, and move beyond. Nature provides for us all the elements we need to experience a ful lling yoga practice: Walking on the earth in our bare feet on the way to the mat, stepping on natural elements like stone pavers interlaced with so groundcovers, breathing in fresh air, feeling the breeze on our necks, and feeling warm life-giving sun on our faces. Garden scents reach us, adding another delightful dimen- sion and building rich memories. Shadows play on the mat as overhead tree branches sway. Clouds move across the sky, chang- ing the yoga garden scene even while your eyes are closed. And, of course, there are the delightful unexpected visits from wildlife… Whether expanding your mind and body in Triangle pose, or relaxing in Savasana, practicing yoga in your garden is the perfect start to any day, as well as an ideal way to experience a healthy break during the a ernoon. Enjoy! A yoga garden is not complete without fragrance. Add fragrant native plants when planning your space, and attract birds at the same time. Select a grouping of plants that bloom at di erent times of the year, or ones that bloom all year long, so your space will always have fragrance. (Philadelphus lewisii) Flower color: white, medium-sized blooms Growth: similar in shape to lilacs Bloom time: sweet fragrance, late spring through midsummer Wildlife: Attracts monarch & swallowtail butter ies Community: Can be mixed with roses & sages Cut owers: YES Drought tolerant: YES Sun or Shade: medium sun (Ribes viburnifolium) Flowers: tiny blooms produce sweet scent of wine grapes a er rain especially when leaves are brushed Photo upper left: Kathy Vilim 26 wholelifetimes.com