Yoga and Hiking go together like peas and carrots, like wine and cheese, like avocado and literally anything else! The perfect combination that boosts the wonderful benefits of yoga with a dose of nature, fresh air and some heart pumping exercise to invigorate and awaken body, mind and spirit!
MY TOP REASONS WHY YOGA AND HIKING ARE IDEAL PARTNERS
IMPROVE YOUR YOGA AND HIKING.
My philosophy is that yoga can make you do whatever you do better! With more and more athletes turning to yoga to improve their performance, I’m not alone in my thinking. Yoga works on strength, flexibility, balance, agility and endurance, helping to speed up muscle recovery and prevent injuries - a perfect fit for hiking enthusiasts who want to strengthen those hiking muscles yet stay supple and safe on the trail.
And it's a combination that works to benefit the yogis too - increasing lung capacity and overall fitness for those who tend to do a less aerobic practice.
INCREASE LEVELS OF AWARENESS AND IMPROVE CONSCIOUS LIVING.
Yoga is the practice of being mindful and alive in the moment. When we practice we become more attentive to our bodies, our feelings and our thoughts. With it as a foundation, hiking is another opportunity to become more aware, and to connect more deeply with our lives and our surroundings. Reaching into your yoga tool-box to add a little extra awareness to your hike, helps you to fully engage in, and truly appreciate the journey. With the majesty and wonder of nature demanding our presence it's not too difficult a task! As we enjoy views of the world denied to many, we naturally start to adjust our thinking about who we are, as we explore our own small portion of the planets surface. By recognizing and savoring the quality of mindfulness and meditation, we are humbly reminded of our place in this world, and how we fit into, and relate to the web of life that surrounds us.
IMPROVE HEALTH & WELLBEING.
The health benefits that come from Yoga and Hiking are fairly obvious: they both get you moving, exercising and strengthening the body; they both strengthen the heart and get the blood pumping around the system and they both deepen breathing and open the lungs to refreshing air. They also provide ample opportunity to get away from the noisy world, and very effective ways to practice mindfulness and to find peace in the present. It's no surprise that combining yoga and hiking leaves us with a deep sense of peace and rejuvenation, especially when we also consider the amazing stress relieving effects of simply spending time in nature!
Not only is simple exposure to nature good for our health and well-being, an emerging body of research also demonstrates that there are health benefits associated with feeling more connected to nature. In addition to helping us feel good and function well, a connection with nature is associated with greater life satisfaction, lower anxiety, improved vitality, meaningfulness, happiness, creativity, pro-social behaviors, and pro-nature behaviors. Research has also shown that mindfulness mediates the relationship between nature connectedness and well-being!
So go on, get out there. Feel the earth beneath your feet and the wind in your face, breath in the fresh air, and get your blood flowing. Escape to nature to nurture your mind, body and soul! Awaken your adventurous side and explore the rare, exceptional beauty of this planet!