Now this is yoga as I have observed it in the natural world.
Photo: Prayer Flags by ombites
Recently, several more of the fantastic teachers from Samadhi Yoga in Sydney took on the Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training in New York. Coming back qualified, the growing Jivamukti community in Sydney was ready to welcome them home and celebrate by going on retreat!
The theme of the retreat was celebrating wildness and going bush was the perfect setting. Exploring how we are all connected in this world and how what we do in our own lives can affect this connection was thought provoking. Did you ever notice that a lot of the asanas are named after animals, birds and even nature? We were encouraged to tap into the animalistic nature of each of the asana poses.
Wildness was a recurring conscious theme amongst the group, especially in the awesome Wild Love practice led by Justine Goss and Keith Kempis. Justine and Keith invited two local musicians to accompany the practice with live drums and a didgeridoo which inspired us even more. The beat of the drums and the sound of the didgeridoo were rich and earthy, so tribal. We couldn’t help but feel a deeper connection to the earth and to all the beings around us. We could not only hear the beats, we could feel them. I am really excited about the possibility of attending more classes incorporating "live" music now with both the beautiful Justine and "ethically handsome" Keith.
We experienced many more activities on the retreat to explore the idea of wildness; through asana, bush walking, chanting, discussions, meditation and kirtan. We are truly blessed to have so many Jivamukti qualified teachers in Sydney sharing their passions and helping the community grow.
Now this is yoga, here and now. We don’t have to go to India to experience this. We don’t have to find a guru to start making positive changes in our immediate lives. We can already contribute and participate for a better world filled with more peace, love, understanding and respect for all beings and Mother Earth right here in our own backyards. All this while realising our wild potential.
Click here for more images from the retreat. The cameras hardly ever come out when we go on these retreats but is it really any wonder? We're all in the moment being present, fully embracing the experience and having fun!
5 comments:
It sounds like you had an amazing time and a really moving experience on your retreat. I was looking at a bikram yoga studio on the internet today - am very keen to give that a try. Our yoga teacher is selling up and going travelling around Australia for a year with her family - we are going to miss her and want to find somewhere else to practice.
Have a great day !
It sounds awesome! And that picture? Amazing.
Hey Me, each time I go on retreat with the Jivamukti community, I always come back so much more inspired and re-inspired. I'm sorry you're current teacher is moving on and know how you must feel. One of my teachers retired this year just when I was finally understanding why she was so hard on me and now I miss her dearly. Other teachers do come along though so I hope it won't be too long before you find another teacher. Hope you have a great day and weekend hon!
Nadine! I am so addicted to the iPhone's Hipstamatic app...I think I am driving people nuts with it :-)
Darling, the photos are all gorgeous. I have serious Hipstamatic envy :P
Your words are beautiful and really bring the experience alive - and something you've said has really struck me "you don't have to go to India to experience this". Too true. The heart and spirit of yoga is everywhere, wherever you choose to seek it and embrace it.
As always, I'm inspired and rejuvenated by you sharing your experiences and thoughts. xx
This is amazing... What a beautifu way to practice. :)
I dream of doing yoga in the bush, right next to a creek or a waterfall.
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