Stillness, peace, contentment: ruminations from the trail.

#mindfulness #trailtime #yogahiking #yogastillness #yogabackpacking #trailetiquette

Trail time is a happy time for me. There is nothing like a pack on my back with nothing on my mind but my senses - noticing the sounds, smells, colors, and the wild environment. I want to share with you some magic. My second day of a three day backpacking trip had me only going a total of 4.5 miles that day. Typically though I might go 4 miles or 20 miles, I prefer 9-15 miles per day when I backpack. I typically hike at a quicker pace than most, so I really tried to just chill and go slow. Please keep in mind, for someone whose natural pace is quicker it is painful and exhausting to go, particularly when gaining elevation, slower. Anyway, I went slow, and stopped more often than normal (though I typically stop frequently for pictures), but still arrived at my destination by 12:30pm.

I had lunch and had camp set up by 1:30pm, which included my chair being set up in the perfect viewing place of the lake and the glacier. I was SO excited to simply sit and watch all day, with my book handy in case I wanted to read. I spent the entire day being, simply being in nature observing everything around me and immersing myself in it. This is what I do when I go backpacking, or even when I'm home. I hardly read because there was so much to immerse myself in: bear wanderings, so many sounds, so many colors, and so many bird meanderings!

After the trip I wondered how many individuals would be bored simply watching mother nature. A day hiker came into camp and mentioned "You are so lucky you get to just sit there all day and watch whatever bears come!". I agree! It wasn't just the bears, it was learning what an injured deer sounded like, and right before I went to go help, the deer got out of the situation with some familial help. It was being immersed in the most incredible bird experience I have ever witnessed, and honestly don't know how to express through words all that happened! It just sitting and taking in everything my senses could. It was lovely.

If you are someone who cannot immerse yourself in the surroundings, I encourage you to work on that, and find how you can do that. It's magical, and really quite important for our nervous system. It's not about learning how to be like me, it is about learning how to truly be present. It is about learning how to not let your mind control you. It is practicing our most human natural state - being. It is practicing kaya sthira - stillness in mind and stillness in body.

There are many things I experience regarding other individuals on the trail that surprise or sadden me. However, I always remind myself perhaps it is because they simply are unaware? That's my hope anyway. So, here are some of my recommendations for hikers if you aren't already aware of these:

Try hiking without talking.

Not only will it be great for you (and for some it will be really challenging), but it will allow you to actually notice surroundings more, be more present, and see more wildlife.

Sound travels far in the wilderness. No one wants to be enjoying hiking the trail and hear your conversations. Frequently, I can hear someone talking a mile before they reach me or I reach them. I really do not want to hear the details of what you are talking about (work, dating drama, etc.) while I'm trying to enjoy myself and listen to the sounds of what is around me, and be in tune with my surroundings so I can connect with wildlife.

I honestly don't care what your response to this is, but if you are in a conversation while hiking you are not fully present and fully noticing your surroundings - simple fact. Try to do this - be mindful. Be conscientious of others and when you do talk, talk in a quiet voice.

When I guide backpacking and yoga trips this is a requirement. Not only is it trail etiquette, but it is about connecting with nature, your breath, and your mind. Notice your tendencies of your mind - can you actually immerse yourself in the present? Or does your mind control you on the trail? How easy or hard is it for you to not think about everything going on in your life while you are on the trail? Now, I also understand that sometimes the trail can bring clarity and letting go when we do think about life on the trail. However, you don't need to vocalize it. If you need to vocalize it with your hiking partner, wait until a rest moment when you stop or when you are at camp, which leads me to the next point to make.

Speak quietly when at camp

Again, sound travels. There is no need to shout, or use a loud voice, to visit with your camp mates. If you do so, not only are you affecting other campers where you are camping, but they are learning way more about you than they really want to know. I really don't need to be across the lake hearing every word of your very private discussion with your campmate.

Do you like to hike with music?

If so, please wear ear buds. Please keep the music to yourself instead of have a mini speaker blaring as you are hiking. If you are camp, keep the volume low. Quite honestly, I don't recommend hiking with music because although it can be lovely to connect the beauty with music you aren't fully connecting with your surroundings because you cannot hear anything besides the music. It is actually a huge safety issue as well.

Enjoy your time on the trail while also being mindful of others' experiences. Invite yourself to be mindful of your volume when you speak, and perhaps challenge yourself to talk less overall and tap into your other senses more.

Happy Trails!