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January, 2015

Yoga, Nature and the Great Outdoors

Yoga, Nature and the Great Outdoors

20 Jan 2015
3 Comments
Green Stone Journeys
Nature, Yoga

JANUARY, 2015 — Yoga, Nature and the Great Outdoors

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Yoga is a buzzword these days that we hear from all corners of the globe and is growing to become a popular mainstream activity. Becoming a way of life for many curious fitness trends and modern-day soul seekers, people are dabbling their toes and sun salutations in understanding this ancient practice based upon a tradition that is thousands of years old.

Yoga is viewed as a practice that improves fitness and our general wellness and it is not only based on the physical practice of asanas but the ancient yogic texts, over 2,500 years ago, used yoga to teach us how to identify and understand the nature of mind and our overall energetic health and wellness in relation to the cosmos. Those are pretty big ideas for the modern wellness seeker and we are discovering ways to best understand this in today’s world.

When thinking about the reasons to start practicing yoga, many people are seeking to discover what benefits await them once they’ve begun the practice.

310441_167925886619614_489600688_nExperienced yoga practitioners have probably noticed the benefits already such as better sleep and an improved immune system. Western science is starting to provide some concrete clues as to how yoga works to improve health, heal aches and pains and keep sickness at bay while the ancient mysteries of enlightenment and ‘being one with the universe’ prevail as tempting delicacies and just rewards if we continue with the practice long enough.

We know one thing is for certain, the benefits of yoga provide both instant satisfaction and lasting transformation. Both are extremely important in the fitness world. Too much time with too few results can be incredibly discouraging and monotonous routines week after week can lead to stagnation. Yoga can change a person’s physical and mental capacity quickly, while preparing the mind and body for long-term health.

Practicing Yoga Outside Has Great Benefits

tumblr_ncxgua6U0f1qhtdsto1_500A good way of bringing the ancient practice of yoga to life and avoiding yoga practice becoming a monotonous routine is taking it outside a closed space of the gym and into the peace and tranquility of nature. Within the boundaries of a studio, yoga teachers do their best to create an ambience of soft lights and pleasant sounds but striking a mood is probably just an attempt to evoke a natural setting – the great outdoors.

Connecting yoga with nature is an ideal way to identify with the original lineage of this ancient practice and to offer a different dimension to our lives from the modern city life. The importance of union with nature, humanity and the universe is felt even more when practiced outdoors. Being in a natural and peaceful environment creates a perfect setting for dropping the distractions and focusing on meditation and our own inner processes that we seek to understand every day.

The idea that yoga is predominantly a physical exercise program is a generally accepted phenomenon these days and that is fine as the benefits of this practice and getting a workout done are noteworthy. While it’s also pretty good for students to be present, mentally present, during a fitness routine that can make all the difference in the world during a workout. But the moment we step outside into the abundance and beauty of nature and connect our breath with the rhythms of the trees, ocean and air, we can begin to sense that essence of life that we know deep down that is always there.

It is connecting with that moment in a stretch and a breath that we realize that we can reach out and find this cosmic pulse with our own will and awareness at any time we desire. This is the magic and essence of what a yoga practice can bring and what was taught through the sages long ago that we can easily transmit in our modern day lives.

Dani Yoga Teacher Urdhva Virabhadrasana

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3 Comments

  1. John January 20, 2015 at 2:13 pm Reply

    “A good way of bringing the ancient practice of yoga to life and avoiding yoga practice becoming a monotonous routine is taking it outside a closed space of the gym and into the peace and tranquility of nature.”

    This rings very true for me. I practiced yoga on and off for years until I started practicing outdoors in the elements. It has made all the difference for me.

    • Green Stone Journeys April 21, 2015 at 4:53 pm Reply

      That’s great John, we think so too!

  2. Jessica February 4, 2015 at 4:20 pm Reply

    I agree. Although you need to live in a place where you’re able to practice outside all year! I live in New York and unfortunately that’s just not possible for me. I need a yearly GSJ trip in Brazil to escape the cold winters!

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fabiana "I had great time on the tour, all was very professional and organized and the location and meals were amazing. The yoga teacher was the best I ever had and the whole team was incredible and I enjoyed every minute. It was perfect in all aspects and above my expectations, for sure an unforgettable experience."
Fabiana Poli, Italy August 2015
15394_10153090853741291_4377406819819870133_n 2 The yoga teacher was great – she quickly gaged our levels of experience and went at the perfect pace to ensure we felt comfortable. She was friendly, approachable and very calming with her instructions. The beach house was lovely. Spacious, clean, well kept and presented. The cook was brilliant and the quality and quantity of food was first class and we definitely never went hungry! The group of people on the tour really made it special for me. It was so nice to go away as a solo traveller and come away feeling like you had made a whole new group of friends! I will never forget the beauty of the island – the sounds, sights and how it made me feel emotionally. I was able to forget about everything back home and just ‘be!’ The whole experience was brilliant – it really was a journey of discovery!
Eleaner Risdale, Scotland March 2015
10612679_10153196536509358_7755434750267590017_n The personal touch was the most enjoyable aspect of the tour. I felt a thousand times more relaxed and whole after a week. The change was really noticeable and the feeling of being looked after really set me up to have space to nurture myself, which I find hard to come by in daily life.
Brittany Jack, Scotland Sept 2014
1524823_10201236367368117_741238960_n As a custom tour experience with GSJ the programs were adjusted for my preference and for weather, and it felt like I had someone to help me personally organize the things I wanted to do and accompany me along the way. The most I enjoyed about my experience were the yoga sessions. All of the instructors were fantastic and have inspired me to reignite my practice long term. I can't say enough about how amazing the sessions were. The local guide was also very knowledgeable and friendly and locations were beautiful with great breakfasts. The optional massages were also fantastic, it seems GSJ knows how to find all the best people! I would recommend GSJ tours and travel with them again.
Katie Weber, USA April 2014
PjhdL5agodZnvz5zxqUBzUGdwn7Q43axpWco_ZHjASILoved, loved, loved this tour! the perfect combination of fun and adventure with amazing yoga, delicious food and gorgeous location. I didn’t want to come home! This tour is perfect if you live in Brazil and want an escape from the city or if you are coming to Brazil for the first time. It’s an amazing way to see beautiful places and travel with people who have the same ideas about travel.
Fiona Reidy, Ireland April 2013
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