There’s just something about being out in nature that awakens the soul. There’s something about moving away from man-made sounds, listening to the sounds of the Earth, and having conversations with others who feel the same way. Nothing is more grounding for me than finding distance from the day-to-day responsibilities of my life out in nature.
I had originally volunteered to help lead the hike up to Grey Rock, mostly because I’ve hiked it on many other occasions and was familiar with the trail. I woke early to prep for the hike and received a message that the teacher leading the hike wasn’t feeling well. At first, I wondered if the hike would be cancelled – but then I thought, maybe I’ll offer to guide it so we can still go. Suddenly the yoga hike turned into an amazing opportunity to serve the other yogis and lead the way.
What great conversations we had while moving our way along the trail! The weather was just about perfect – partly cloudy skies, light breeze, and a comfortable temperature. We found a beautiful rock to sit on in the meadow where we meditated on letting go; we found a nice space next to Grey Rock where we did a short asana practice and had lunch; and after finding ourselves just off the trail, managed to find our way back down to the trail head.
Almost six hours and eight miles later, we were back at the bottom where we had started. I realized how much the four of us truly embodied the forever student. I remembered that while I like to be the leader, I can also learn a great deal from sitting back and letting someone else lead; I remembered that nature (and the universe) speaks to us when we listen; I remembered that we get to see amazing things when we stay present in the moment and pay attention to our surroundings (the red-tailed hawk soaring above us was pretty epic).
I came home from the hike feeling balanced – a little lighter in the areas where I needed to let go, and a little more grounded in the areas I needed to sink into. Truly grateful for this experience and the opportunity to be the guide, the student, and the watcher.
~Jenni Dykema, TTC Participant
Leave a Reply