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Thread: Yoga anyone?

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    Default Yoga anyone?

    I'm wondering if anyone incorporates a yoga practice into their hike and, if so, I'd love to hear about it. Also, I'm interested in finding any yoga studios in the towns near the trail that might be good places to stop for a class. I'm open to any and all suggestions.
    Follow your bliss......
    Joseph Campbell
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    I take Yoga 2-3 times a week. I think it helps me ALOT. Stronger balance, ankles, kees, better breathing. It seems to help alot.

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    Registered User mirabela's Avatar
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    I've definitely known some people to make that a part of their daily routine out there, or at least a few times weekly.

    If I were to do another thru-hike, I'd definitely incorporate some sort of a practice to maintain upper body strength, as I found I really atrophied from the waist up. Yoga would be a good idea.

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    I love yoga! I hope to hike the AT next year and I plan on practicing yoga 30 minutes a day to maintain my strength and flexibility. Plus it just feels good

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    Registered User Driver8's Avatar
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    I do yoga about once a week, lately, and am very fond of it. Haven't done it on trail yet, but the idea has occurred to me and a friend who teaches it - she may have on some of her hikes.

    Trail towns which have yoga, or might, that come to mind (* - a town that probably has a lot of yoga offerings):
    Hiawassee, GA
    *Franklin, NC
    *Gatlinburg, TN
    Hot Springs, NC
    Erwin, TN
    Damascus, VA
    *Blacksburg, VA
    Pearisburg, VA
    *Roanoke, VA
    *Waynesboro, VA
    *Charlottesville, VA
    Any town over 5,000 population on I-81, VA
    *Harpers Ferry, WV
    *Harrisburg, PA
    Duncannon, PA
    Schuylkill Haven, PA
    *Reading, PA
    *Kent, CT
    Falls Village, CT
    *Salisbury, CT
    *Great Barrington, MA
    *Lee, MA
    *Dalton, MA
    *Pittsfield, MA
    Cheshire, MA
    Adams, MA
    North Adams, MA
    *Williamstown, MA
    *Bennington, VT
    *Stratton Resort Village, VT
    *Manchester, VT
    *Rutland, VT
    *Hanover, NH
    Gorham, NH
    Stratton, ME
    The more miles, the merrier!

    NH4K: 21/48; N.E.4K: 25/67; NEHH: 28/100; Northeast 4K: 27/115; AT: 124/2191

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    I only started practicing yoga a few months ago, however I have always tried to spend time stretching at the end of each day's hike. When I'm on a longer section hike, twenty minutes of stretching work in the afternoon makes a huge difference in the way I feel the next morning.

    This year I intend to include a number of yoga poses onto my afternoon stretch. I'll most likely do it on the shelter floor or the ground, it's just too bad that there's no way my Z-rest would stand up to the abuse.

    Driver, that's a great list, but how the heck did you have that info readily available?
    Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

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    Registered User louisb's Avatar
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    I do yoga twice a week as part of my regular workout routine. Not sure I would do it regularly on the trail but maybe when the mood struck me.

    --louis

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    Please keep the suggestions, advice and other input coming! Driver8, the list of towns is great and I'm wondering how you came to it. I'm reaching out to the yoga community at large in an effort to locate possible classes that would be willing to facilitate my efforts. I'm not in any hurry and plan to enjoy my time on the trail. I'm going to document my adventures with the possibility of writing an article or something when I'm done. Thanks, and Namaste!
    Follow your bliss......
    Joseph Campbell
    http://www.trailjournals.com/rockie/

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    I recently started to pick up on Yoga. I found my back and shoulders have shown the most improvement (fewer issues). Improved flexibility has been nice. I truly believe the sooner you pick up yoga, or other stretching and strength routines, the more likely you will enjoy physical activities for a longer period of time in your older years. I certainly wish I had taken the time to try yoga earlier ....

    I intend on doing some yoga on the trail when I go. Hopefully, I'll be holding poses correctly by then!

    Edit: One of my luxury items is the GG thin pad that can be used to sit on, or do some yoga! It acts like another R-value layer for colder nights too. I also got invisibile shoes (sandles) that weigh little and can be used to help keep traction while doing yoga outdoors.

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    I've done it on long hikes for years, along with stretching and self massage (basics from an ashram years ago). Usually in private, rather than explain it to others.

    Would never think of going into a town for a group class.
    The trouble I have with campfires are the folks that carry a bottle in one hand and a Bible in the other.
    You never know which one is talking.

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    WingedMonkey, you say you'd never think of going into a town for a class. I'm wondering if it's just because it hadn't occurred to you or for some other reason. I'm interested in all that info. I realize the appearance of hikers, and even the aroma might be off-putting. But my experience with yoga folks is that they are accommodating and understanding and surely washing up first would help.
    Follow your bliss......
    Joseph Campbell
    http://www.trailjournals.com/rockie/

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    LT '79; AT '73-'14 in sections; Donating Member Kerosene's Avatar
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    Not yoga, but I was somewhere between Dragon's Tooth and Pearisburg when I turned a corner to find a guy meditating in lotus position in the middle of the trail. I think I had been singing to myself and apologized for interrupting his reverie as I squeezed past.

    As for yoga, or any other exercise, I always think that I should keep up with some basic calisthenics but I never do.
    GA←↕→ME: 1973 to 2014

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    Registered User LadybugPicnic's Avatar
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    If you're willing to carry an extra pound, Gaiam sells a travel yoga mat that folds up into a little square - http://www.gaiam.com/product/reversi...mp=cse_froogle I am trying to come up with an alternative ultralight version or maybe just not carry one at all and simply use the ground.

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    Default Yoga anyone?

    I thought this was a thread about how to get free food and treats from unsuspecting tourists. Yeah, I know....... That's Yogi.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Sarcasm the elf View Post
    Driver, that's a great list, but how the heck did you have that info readily available?
    Thanks, elf - I don't know that the towns I said would likely have a lot of offerings in fact do, but most of them are either college towns, relatively large or relatively well off, making it a good bet that they'll have plenty of yoga classes.

    Come to think of it, if one were doing the 2183 mile trek, I think a yoga class or two on the occasional zero day would be a great idea - I'm glad Rockie started this thread.
    The more miles, the merrier!

    NH4K: 21/48; N.E.4K: 25/67; NEHH: 28/100; Northeast 4K: 27/115; AT: 124/2191

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    Quote Originally Posted by Rockie View Post
    Driver8, the list of towns is great and I'm wondering how you came to it.
    Thanks, Rockie - I've read a lot about the trail and know its geography pretty well, so I know most of the significant towns along the trail. And as I said to sarcasm the elf, there's a bit of educated guessing in my starring certain towns as being likely to have good yoga offerings, but most of the starred towns, I'm confident, are safe bets.

    There are likely some good towns along the trail in NY State, too, but I don't know as well which precise towns the trail passes near - funny, given that I'm next door in Connecticut. I also list nothing in New Jersey - I don't know what towns, exactly, the trail passes near there, either, though I understand it mostly runs through backcountry.

    I would say that since doing good quality yoga work along your hike is important to you, to take care especially to look into some towns which are further than usual walking distance from the trail and see if there are yoga community folk there who would shuttle you into town and back - Charlottesville, Blacksburg and Winchester, VA come to mind, Harrisburg and Reading, PA, Rutland, VT. And though it's pretty far, I bet Asheville, NC would have an awesome yoga community and might have some people willing to come get you.
    The more miles, the merrier!

    NH4K: 21/48; N.E.4K: 25/67; NEHH: 28/100; Northeast 4K: 27/115; AT: 124/2191

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    Yoga is good. I was fond of doing Five treasures Qigong on my thru. Simple, easy, meditative..........

  19. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by Spokes View Post
    Yoga is good. I was fond of doing Five treasures Qigong on my thru. Simple, easy, meditative..........
    +1 on the Qigong,while I haven't kept up with it....I never felt bad afterward or that it was a waste of time.Tia chi Short form for me.

  20. #20

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    Sometimes I stretch in the morning, usually not.

    And if I strike a pose that can be related to a dog, it's behind a bush.

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