Yoga hikes - how to benefit from both of these activities

Yoga hikes or Yoga hiking is simply combining both yoga and hiking in one session together. As soon as you try them – you will see how to benefit from both!

We are always moving. From place to place. The more we move – the better. But the more we move, the more we must do it carefully, and smartly. Over time we are getting older, and weaker, and our muscles seek more proper and slower exercise. If we are experienced hikers – we can improve and become more experienced hikers. If we are new hikers – we can always build ourselves and become stronger, experienced hikers. Every one of us needs a good mix of activities to build ourselves up. There comes yoga hiking.

Yoga has existed for more than 5,000 years. It all started back in ancient India. Thanks to many teachers and travellers, yoga found its way to the West in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Little by little, the whole world started understanding the benefits of yoga on our health. The harmony yoga provides for our mind and health is unquestionable. Over time, it developed a lot, but the original practices are still the core.

Although physical and mental health is the natural consequences of yoga, the actual goal is far larger than you think. You have to practice it at least once to feel it! Unlike what some people believe yoga does not require a particular religion or a belief system. You only have to believe one thing – yourself. You have to trust you can do it. Give it a chance. Thus, anyone who practices yoga, no matter age, race, nationality, religion, or sex. Yoga is one of those perfect romantic getaways for couples who seek to connect on a deeper level!

There are many benefits of hiking for our physical and mental health. Now hear me out! Here are some reasons why you should start hiking now!

– Hiking helps regulate our sleep

– It lowers our stress levels

– It reduces the chance of developing diseases like dementia, cardiovascular disease, depression, etc.

– Improve hypertension in older adults

– Helps prevent osteoporosis

– Lowers body fat improves control over a healthy weight

– Connects us with others, nature, and ourselves

– It helps with many treatments or as a side treatment: for depression, cancer, etc.

– Strengthens and builds our muscles

– Improves overall mood

– Helps us to take control of our workouts

– Stimulates our brain

– Lowers blood pressure

– Improves bone density

Both yoga and hiking have their benefits for our well-being. The benefits for us – humans – are similar. By mixing a session of hiking and outdoor yoga sessions. You can take your practice and overall health to a whole new level! Plus, yoga will make a better and stronger hiker out of you! It is not a wonder why this form of spending time in nature has become popular. More and more people choose to hike and do yoga because it blends so well and offers a different, better hiking experience. Mountain yoga hikes are extremely helpful for our well-being or yoga after hikes to the mountains!

How to benefit from both? Yoga hiking will:

– Increase your flexibility on the trail
-Strengthen your muscles
-Increase your stamina to hike uphill or up mountains
-Improve your balance on the trail
– Enhance your mental state
– Improve your overall well-being
– Remove the stress away
– Nurture your physical health
– Build you up
– Fewer injuries
– Improved lung capacities
– Better cardiovascular health
– Fast recovery

Hiking is excellent cardio and a way to build muscles. On the other hand, yoga is adding all the stretching, deep breathing, inhalation, and meditation aspects. Plus, the whole experience that comes with yoga hiking with meditation, spectacular sunrises and sunsets outdoors, the smell of grass, overall blood cell regeneration, vast expanse experience, and feeling the pure and unspoiled nature is well worth combining both of these activities in one session. That means you do not do it all the time while hiking. That means you will stop doing yoga when you spot a good place to do it.

You can enjoy yoga hikes pretty much everywhere; on any trail suitable for your fitness level. Do yoga depending on the elevations and location. Meaning – choose a safe and peaceful place. Choose an area that makes you feel comfortable and where you feel well.

First, explore the place and see if it fits your current needs. I do not recommend doing Yoga poses in a place where you do not feel comfortable. Safety first! If you cannot do many yoga poses, and if you did not bring a yoga mat – do only standing yoga poses. Flat areas are perfect for practicing yoga, especially with pretty landscape views. The nicer the scenery is – the more you feel reconnected with nature.

Furthermore, it is rewarding once you reach the summit and you look around yourself and see all that beautiful scenery for miles around you. That can be a nice spot to do yoga and rest from hiking. It can be quite challenging to stand or sit and rest from hiking when cold outside. But yoga can be a perfect way to warm yourself up without using much strength or energy. Some yoga poses require more force, some less. Whichever kind of yoga you choose to practice, it will warm you up no matter where you are! Yoga hiking or yoga hikes are perfect as family bonding adventures where the whole family can benefit on a physical and emotional level!

You do not need to take courses to learn basic yoga poses. You must have goodwill, decent physical health, and resources – videos, books, and photos. Nevertheless, it is always better to learn at least the basics with a professional yoga teacher. Some yoga poses are easier, if someone shows them to you in person, in an actual example – the human body. If a professional yoga teacher shares tips and tricks in person, you are less likely to experience injuries. See what works best for you. Whatever it is – include amazing yoga in your lifestyle during hiking. 

You can also book a yoga retreat adventure with a few people included. Those kinds of retreats are great to practice yoga hiking, and doing all sorts of fun and entertaining activities great for the whole group! Do not be afraid to learn and let your body and mind embark on a new journey towards better health. Yoga hikes are the way to go! Namaste! Try a yoga retreat holiday in Montenegro!