Fresh Turns, Fresh Mind

Yesterday morning was just magical.  It's been snowing up on the mountain and the excitement is tangible after the dismal season we had last year.  I was due back in town to teach at noon so I planned on an early tour up the Palmer with Morrison.

Alpenglow from the White River

I skinned up the CAT road with Mr. Morrison romping ahead of me gleefully.  We made it nearly to the top of the Palmer by turnaround time.  A little canyon on the west boundary of Timberline provided a ribbon of swishy pow turns and cornice drops that took me right back down to the lodge... But this isn't really a post about skiing.

It's about going somewhere beautiful, feeling the sun and the wind and the crunch of the snow.  It's about taking the mindfulness of yoga out into the world.  I went up there alone yesterday to do meditation my way.  Sometimes meditation is stillness and silence, but it doesn't always have to be.  This time it was the rhythm of my steps, matched with breath.  The sensation of the chilly air in my lungs and being surrounded by overwhelming beauty.  This time it was about movement, quads burning as I slipped along ridges and between rocks, picking a path that traced the earthen curves of the mid-mountain.

What a stud

A morning like this was like hitting a reset button.  With every step, some nagging stress fell out of my mind and was laid to rest in the snow behind me.  By the time I was on my way down, all I felt was the simple sensation of joy within a peaceful mind.

Picking his line

Yoga is about a connection between the body and mind.  Go play outside, be active, see something beautiful, find joy in the day to day, consciously connect with the natural world.  Take time to nurture yourself in a way that makes you feel whole and strong and brings you peace.

Take your yoga with you.
Find your meditation.

Get off your mat!