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Special Feature
Yoga in the Southwest : an enlightening way to
experience your surroundings - Staff
Photo courtesy Present Moment Retreat, Mexico
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, and posh luxury resorts like Miraval and the
Canyon Ranch in the Santa Catalina Mountains. 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. 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.
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!
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!”
In addition to studying in a studio like Meta's YogaNow, 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. Scheduled to open in November of 2005,
Present Moment will be offering 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.
Photo courtsey Present Moment Retreat, Mexico
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 health 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.
YogaNow
www.yoganow.org
215 Gold SW
Albuquerque, NM
505-232-4717
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