View Full Version : Yoga On the Trail
Chance09
09-02-2008, 15:32
Does anyone do yoga on the trail? I can't think of a better way to loosen up in the morning and was just thinking about a sleeping pad that would work for a yoga mat. How did you manage it? I'd rather not roll around on the ground and get even dirtier than a thru hiker will already be. Maybe just stick to the standing poses? any thoughts?
I don't know if I do yoga, but I definetely stretch almost every night, sometimes for as long as 20 mins. Oh man. One of those odd feelings of hurting & feeling sooo good. I feel less sore the next day when I stretch the night before after hiking all day. Keeps the range of motion. I don't think I could stretch in the morning, I would be too stiff. Even under regular circumstances, yoga w/in 1 hr of waking is a bit early.
I use my pack cover as a 'mat.' It also functions as my easy chair. I figure that bare feet in dirt or grass is fine since they're filthy anyway.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28072&highlight=yoga+trail
jessicacomp
09-02-2008, 16:05
yeah, i do. you should look up and buy "yoga paws" so that you can do yoga anywhere, including in the woods.
skinny minnie
09-02-2008, 16:18
I've been doing it in the morning while on overnights. Feels really good. Works great if there is a campsite with wooden platforms. Or a bridge over water. Otherwise I just get dirty and brush off afterwards.
There are a few postures I'd use my pad for... only ones that require kneeling for a very long time, and savasana. But I don't really mind dirty hands and feet. Sleeping pads are just too thick (even the thin ones) for me to feel balanced. I guess maybe a basic closed cell foam one would maybe do the trick?
http://www.starcamping.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/closedcell.jpg
This also looks interesting/kind of feasible:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=3216
middle to middle
09-02-2008, 16:24
Big yoga fan. The Salutation to the sun poses are good. Pine forests are great for nice soft ground for yoga. Rocky areas and wet areas standing poses work.
Live the Journey
09-24-2008, 22:39
My morning ritual when I'm backpacking is "Underpants Yoga" before breakfast.
Wake up, get up, and pull my sleeping pad (a short length Therm-a-rest Prolite) out and somewhere flat (usually right on the trail if there's not a lot of traffic) and I'll do whatever poses feel good. As long as I'm basically on the pad, I dont get much dirtier then I was before. It's lovely. To get your breathing and mind centered and to help loosen the muscles that are tight from the day before...and to do it all under the trees...it's my favorite.
sofaking
09-24-2008, 22:57
yoga is a great way to get loose...it really helps a person like yourself to head into the woods hiking and to come out skipping...
Not Yoga exactly, but my first 2 dance instructors at the Renaissance fair I work at were also Yoga instructors, & they had us do stretches before & after each rehersal session. I still do a "full set" each AM when hiking. If I forget, I get a reminder the next morning, and I still do a full before / after set each dance show. I sometimes do a quick stretch at the end of a hiking day, & that too helps.
Do hikers have to step over you if you do yoga on the trail.