Mountain Yoga: Why You Should Try Doing Yoga in the Alps
The sun is out and the skies have cleared, it is the perfect season to get yourself out there and immerse yourself in nature – this means that you could take your indoor yoga practices into the wild. If you haven’t tried meditating in higher altitudes yet, you would be surprised at how relaxing and exhilarating it is to take your mindful practice up to the mountains. An interesting fact, many meditation masters have hiked up to the mountains – almost like a literal sense of trying to reach ‘Nirvana’ (the ultimate state of peace) – think about it, why are there so many monasteries built on higher altitudes? Our Alpine Hotel recognises the special practice of yoga; that is why we built a Yoga Studio in our hotel. Here are a few of the reasons why you should try doing yoga in the Alps – while mentioning a few yoga poses you can try!
“Stay Present with All Your Five Senses”
Yoga is a form of meditation; meaning that it helps you to stay present. Being above the alpine mountains allows you to feel a sense of awe and a feeling of being ‘on top of the world’, away from all the burdens and noise of life down below – just think about it –the soft grass beneath your feet, the smell of fresh alpine air and the sound of the dancing leaves upon the trees. Taking your yoga practice outside will engage all your five senses, allowing you to fully immerse yourself – allowing you to meditate effectively. According to research by the University of Southern California, looking at nature releases endorphins that help us feel good and happy; which is a great reason why you should try it. It is an effective way to meditate, read our blog about the Health Benefits of Yoga for more reasons why mindful practices are great for your wellbeing.
“Literally Connect with Nature”
If you have been taught by a yoga instructor, they train you to ‘look up at the sky’. But when you are practising yoga outdoors, you are literally looking up at the sky. Other examples include feeling the grass beneath your feet, making you truly feel connected and grounded within nature. In the modern age, we often do not have enough time to connect with the outdoors, we are always surrounded by man-made walls and floors, lacking the opportunity to interact with Mother Nature. According to a paper published by the Journal of Public Health, the earth is supplied with electrons, providing a connection between the earth and whoever makes a connection with it – so try going barefoot! If you are thinking of practicing yoga in the Alps, you should try Grounding Yoga poses to enhance that connection with nature – promoting stability and clarity of the mind.
“Gather Inspiration”
Many yoga poses are inspired by nature itself. Think about it: Tadasana is inspired by the mountains, Vrksasana is inspired by the trees and Garudasana is inspired by the eagle. So when you are hiking up to the mountains, finding a spot to settle and start your yoga routine – think about the mountains and the trees that surround you, developing a sense of inspiration between your poses and nature. Stand tall like the trees in the Alpine forests and feel the energy of the Alpine Mountains. This allows your yoga practice to be more exciting in comparison to sitting in a room with your yoga mat.
We hope that this article has given you the inspiration to get out, hike up to the mountains and perform your yoga routine in the Alps. If you are considering going on a trip to the Italian Alps, have a stay at our Alpine hotel and have an exciting retreat full of unique Alpine Activities which include fishing, mushroom picking, cycling and more. For more articles about Meditation in Nature and the alps, read our blog:
· The 5 Best Yoga Poses for Skiers
· Connecting with Nature: Why You Should Meditate in the Alps
· Mind Over Matter – 4 Amazing Health Benefits of Yoga