06-Jun-2010

Above the Fray

Go Tell it on a Mountain

Summer’s coming up and for many that means a trip to the beach. But another option, one that cools you just as well, but has added yogic benefits, is to go in the opposite direction: Up!

There's a reason that yogis have meditated in the mountains since before recorded history. First of all, the air is clean and clear. And as you get used to it, the relative lack of oxygen in the air actually strengthens your lungs: it builds up the ability for the lungs to feed oxygen into the bloodstream. Most importantly, however, is the view. By climbing up high, you get a feeling of accomplishment. Looking out across a wide expanse, broadens thinking. Quite literally, it expands your horizons. A mountaintop is a naturally meditative place, and when you sit and really soak it in, you give your mind permission to be vast, to see beyond the four walls of your routine. So go for a hike this summer! You’ll relax, and see the big picture more clearly.

Recommended: The Mindful Hiker: On the Trail to Find the Path