Yoga in the Southwest :
an enlightening way to experience your surroundings
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Yoga,
originating in India thousands of years ago, is the
oldest system of personal development and attunement
in the world. Yoga tones the body, the mind, and the
soul. Yoga is not a religion, it is a physical
practice that may lead to spiritual growth. It is
slow, beautiful, and disciplined.
Since the rise of yoga’s popularity in the ‘60s, the
Southwest has filled abundantly with yoga studios of
every form. According to yogafinder.com, in New
Mexico alone, there are over 78 yoga studios
available. From Bikram's Yoga Santa Fe, (the first
Yoga College of India in the state of New Mexico),
to Yogonow in Albuquerque, offering classes,
workshops and retreats in a welcoming and safe
environment beneath the shadow of the beautiful
Sandia mountains. With over 150 yoga studios in
Colorado, Boulder particularly, is a very popular
choice for yoga enthusiasts, as is Tucson, with its
own two-block area referred to as ‘yoga corner’ in
town. Posh luxury resorts like Miraval and the
Canyon Ranch in the Santa Catalina Mountains offer a
unique alternative as well. Additionally there are
over 75 yoga studios throughout Arizona.
Why yoga in the Southwest?
Visitors have been coming to the southwest to heal
for many years because of the clean fresh air, dry
climate, and near year-round sunshine. Artists and
alternative life-stylers have also been attracted to
the southwest since the late 1800s with the
establishment of Taos as the region’s first artist
community. |
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It is no
wonder then that yoga practitioners would be attracted to
the southwest as well when one considers the alternative
life-styles available, the beautiful vistas and views, and
the spiritual awakening experienced in these southwestern
Native American homelands of tribes such as the Hopi, the
Navajo, and the Apache. Spirit-guides, vision-quests, and
healing ceremonies are central to this region thus making it
a perfect place to live or visit while enjoying the
spiritual and healing aspects of yoga.
According to a recent article by Colleen Morton, Yoga on
the Rocks, Morton says, “Out here in the desert, the
metaphors of the practice come to life. When we start with
Sun Salutations (Suryanamaskar), we are literally greeting
the sun, perched in the sky over my right shoulder.” Others
profess the spiritual awakenings that being in the desert
brings. Any experience in the southwest is both enchanting
and magical. Couple those with yoga and you have an
incomparable experience.
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We
visited recently with the founder of Albuquerque’s
YogoNow, Meta Hirschl, about her studios, her
practice and being in the Southwest. Meta says:
“Yoga is a gift for me, a
path of living and breathing and relating as an
enthusiastic practitioner and teacher of yoga. After
many years of corporate computer work, university
teaching and writing software books, I am thrilled
to be following my passion, leading with my heart. I
founded YogaNow with a vision of a place for
community.
Our mission is to create a welcoming and safe
environment to learn and practice yoga in community.
We look for success not just in terms of financial
viability; we also measure success in the quality of
our services, the way we respect our students and
teachers and the human spirit, and our overall
commitment to the greater community. We are
dedicated to the belief that healing and
transformation are possible for us all. Yoga is the
ultimate playground – a place to explore our bodies,
hearts and minds, to push and move our edges and
especially, to have fun! |
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For me,
teaching yoga comes from my own experience by exploring yoga
from a diverse group, finally teaching what works in my own
body, heart and mind. I am influenced by Vanda Scaravelli’s
method, as well as Anusara, Iyengar, Ashtanga and
Deskacachar. I am certified as a 500 hour Registered Yoga
Teacher and have studied yoga therapy through certification
at Yogaversity. Learning is a lifelong event and I am
currently enrolled in an Anusara teacher training.
In addition to hatha yoga (the physical yoga most often
associated with yoga) we practice nada (sound) yoga every
Thursday at YogaNow Gold with kirtan and meditation. We
practice karma yoga by giving back to our community and
bhakti yoga by devotional chanting. Yoga is available in all
aspects of our lives, if we let it in.
Sometimes when hiking in the beautiful Sandia Mountains,
perhaps up the splendid La Luz trail, I’ll stop and practice
some yoga to keep my hips open and loosen my hamstrings.
When an eagle flies over head from its nest I may bow to the
skies with an eagle pose, or practice a warrior pose when
the climb is steep. Traditionally we are taught not to
practice yoga outdoors. For example, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois,
Ashtanga Yoga father, in his book Yoga Mala says, “Yoga
should neither be practiced in the open air, in a place that
is unclean or malodorous, in a basement, or on a roof.
Instead, the place of practice should be spotlessly clean
and level, have windows, and be suitable for smearing cow
dung.”
As in all yoga practice, and really in life, I believe in
studying the teachers, reading the texts, and then making a
decision based on my experience and place in the world. So,
sometimes I practice yoga outside and it can feel
magnificent!”
if you are interested in training to become
a yoga instructor and changing your life as Meta did, you too can
Teach Yoga
through study with Aura Wellness and their Yoga teacher
training program.
Studios aside, an overwhelming number of practitioners,
practice yoga alone; fifty-three percent according to a
recent survey at a popular yoga site. So add to the numbers
of studios the students who attend, the teachers, and the
individuals practicing on their own, and that adds up to a
lot of good karma coming from the southwest. If you have not
practiced yoga you may now be inclined to discover your
inner self, tune and tone your body, and reach heights of
wisdom and spiritual devotion unlike any you have previously
experienced. Visit one of the many southwest studios,
contact a teacher, or take a trip to your local bookstore or
library, and begin a journey that will take your body, mind,
and spirit on a great southwest journey.
If you really want to go southwest to do your yoga, consider
the new Present Moment Conscious Living Retreat. It is
Awareness in Motion at Present Moment, Yoga, Meditation and
Wellness Retreats on the Tranquil Mexican Riviera
Through the practice of yoga, meditation and healing arts;
peace and harmony are achieved at Present Moment Conscious
Living Retreat. This tropical retreat, conveniently located
30 minutes north of the popular towns of Ixapa/Zihuatenejo,
is quietly nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra
Madre mountains. Recently opened in November of 2005,
Present Moment offers yoga and meditation retreats as well
as mindful vacations and celebrations.
Present Moment is offering 7 to 14 day experiential retreats
featuring dynamic guest instructors and educators, mouth
watering spa cuisine and adventure aimed at supporting your
passion for life. Present Moment focuses on yoga,
meditation, laughter and creative self expression. This work
is designed to help prepare your whole being for embracing
the joy of everyday existence.
Retreat Packages Include:
7-14 nights in a private, authentic, thatched roof bungalow
with ocean view and meditation garden
Personalized yoga consultation to evaluate individual goals
and desires, physical limitations or heath concerns and 2
yoga classes per day
Morning silent meditation and afternoon guided meditation
Daily breakfast and lunch prepared by talented chefs
specializing in healthy spa cuisine
Optional hiking, surfing, horseback riding or self adventure
Creatively expressive dance and internationally influenced
drum circles
Bodywork and healing arts services are also available at an
additional cost*
Private round trip transfer to the Zihuatenejo airport
Accommodations and Rates:
Troncones Beach is 3 plus miles of unspoiled, resort free,
wiggle-your-toes-in-the-soft- sand heaven. This location is
ideal for beach-combing, sun bathing, horseback riding,
surfing (all levels), and endless adventure. Eight intimate
bungalows include handmade, canopied queen beds with organic
cotton bedding, hand-carved writing desks, private verandas
and meditation gardens.
Present Moment Conscious Living Retreat rates are $1795.00
US per bungalow per week, based on single occupancy;
$1395.00 US per person for doubles and $1125.00 each for
triples (limited availability).
*Indigenous massage and bodywork services range from $60 -
$150 USD and can be pre arranged and included as part of
package cost.
Please visit
www.presentmomentretreat.com for more information and
reserve now as space is limited.
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