Fit Treks

03/29/2022

For Those Too Resilient to Give Up...🗻 - https://mailchi.mp/e4468a89d3f9/for-those-too-resilient-to-give-up

12/18/2021

A few days ago we lost a great thinker of our time, bell hooks.  Her words have been influential in my life, and in my yoga practice.
 
In honor of bell’s life and legacy, tomorrow’s class theme is “Rooting in Self-Love”.  This will be a gentle flow suitable for all abilities.  Wear something comfy, and free to bring a blanket if you like (optional).
 
As always, this is free for the community thanks to Bounty & Soul].
_____

Hace unos días perdimos a un gran pensador de nuestro tiempo, bell hooks. Sus palabras han influido en mi vida y en mi práctica de yoga.

En honor a la vida y el legado de bell, el tema de la clase de mañana es "Enraizar en el amor propio". Este será un flujo suave adecuado para todas las habilidades. Use algo cómodo y libre de traer una manta si lo desea (opcional).

Como siempre, esto es gratis para la comunidad gracias a Bounty & Soul]

9:30 am, Saturday December 18
Black Mountain Presbyterian
117 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711

12/14/2021

The Buddy System Works - https://mailchi.mp/3bf6505c0b14/the-buddy-system-works

Two > One
Studies show that workouts are more effective when you have a buddy to hold you accountable.

When Holidays just aren't enough time to spend with loved ones, Yoga for Hikers is a great way to stay together, even if you live miles away.

For a limited time, when you purchase a Yoga for Hikers course at full price, you will receive a gift certificate for a loved one for free.

11/26/2021

Do you have big plans for 2022? Are you a runner, hiker, or yogi looking to step up your game?

Maybe you’re training to trek through France, Italy Switzerland by foot, or you want to summit Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Or maybe you just want a way to get in shape without having to step foot in a gym.

Yoga For Hikers is for yogis, hikers, and runners of all abilities. We take the challenges on the trail and break them down into actionable exercises that will improve your strength, mobility, and mindfulness on and off the trail.

As a bonus, this course also includes backpacking basics like how to treat water, how to start a fire, how to pack a pack, how to navigate, use trekking poles and more.

Completing this course is a prerequisite for going on any FIT Trek, but it’s also a great way to prepare if you are trying to tackle something solo.

After teaching a sold out class live here in Asheville, North Carolina, I’ve decided to launch the course online, starting January 1st. Just in time to kick off your 2022 goals.

Pre-register now for a limited time offer of $99 for an action-packed 8 weeks (regularly $199). This offer is good until Monday, so act fast.

Link in bio to register, or go to fittreks.teachable.com

11/03/2021

Feeling incredibly grateful to have such a dream team in the inaugural yoga for Hikers class— 3 folks who are AT thru-hikers, several who are active in trail maintenance, one who is doing 100 waterfalls in 100 days, Pisgah’s top Ranger, a Patagonian expat, world travelers, etc. Humbled and inspired to keep this up.

For anyone who wanted to join but couldn’t, fret not— the online course will be up by Thanksgiving, just in time for when it’s challenging to get outside.

Happy Trails👣

04/21/2021

Join me today at 1pm EST for “Yoga for People Who Don’t Want To Do Yoga” (but could probably use it).

It’s a “search and rescue” style sequence meant for all abilities, and especially relevant in light of recent triggering events.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMDzvlfSr3k

04/07/2021

Happy National Walking Day!

If I have learned anything from this last year, it’s the value of slowing down. Sometimes it takes an injury (or a pandemic) to force us to stop and reevaluate how we do things, and the key to rehabilitation is slowing down.

So here is a “walking meditation” to inspire your walk today:

“Walking meditation is really to enjoy the walking— walking not in order to arrive, but just to walk. The purpose is to be in the present moment and, aware of our breathing and our walking, to enjoy each step. Therefore, we have to shake off all worries and anxieties, not thinking of the future, not thinking of the past, just enjoying the present moment.

Although we walk all the time, our walking is usually more like running. When we walk like that, we print anxiety and sorrow on the Earth.

Be aware of the contact between your feet and the Earth. Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet. We have caused a lot of damage to the Earth. Now it is time for us to take good care of her. We bring our peace and calm to the surface of the earth and share the lesson of love. We walk in that spirit.”
-Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step

04/01/2021

Want to keep your feet, hips, and knees feeling fresh? These simple exercises will make a big difference!

Do you suffer from sore joints after a long hike? A few simple stretches will go a long way. Metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, and other ailments can be imp...

02/13/2021

Thanks to the efforts of Tanzanian Julius Nyerere, Kilimanjaro inspired an entire continent to freedom.

While African Americans were leading the way for civil rights in America, Nyerere campaigned for the independence of Tanzania through well-organized non-violent protests.

At a time when mountaineering was picking up popularity around the world, Nyerere spoke of lighting a candle on top of Kilimanjaro “which would shine beyond our borders giving hope where there was despair, love where there was hate and dignity where before there was only humiliation.” Shortly after, Tanzania became the first African country to gain independence from colonial powers, inspiring the rest to follow suit.

The main peak that is summited is called Uhuru, which is Swahili for “freedom”. 

In September 1961 at a symposium on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Nyerere gave a speech that laid the foundation for conservation in post-independent Tanzania:
“The survival of our wildlife is a matter of grave concern to all of us in Africa. These wild creatures amid the wild places they inhabit are not only important as a source of wonder and inspiration but are an integral part of our natural resources and our future livelihood and well being.

In accepting the trusteeship of our wildlife, we solemnly declare that we will do everything in our power to make sure that our children’s grandchildren will be able to enjoy this rich and precious inheritance.

The conservation of wildlife and wild places calls for specialist knowledge, trained manpower, and money and we look to other nations to co-operate with us in this important task - the success or failure of which not only affects the continent of Africa but the rest of the world as well.”

Kilimanjaro became a national park shortly after independence, TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks) was established, and since then they have grown to 22 national parks, covering almost 100,000 square kilometers.

Today, Tanzania has almost 38% of its land reserved as protected areas (one of the world’s highest percentages) thanks to the efforts of Julius Nyerere.

02/12/2021

It’s the year of the OX! 

Last year on this very day, I was in the Serengeti watching a young lion try to sneak up on a herd of water buffalo, and to my surprise, one lone buffalo began to turn, and then the rest of the herd turned and chased the lion off.

As a new business owner, I had hoped to gain inspiration from witnessing a lion attack. My last boss used to tease me that I was too much of a farmer, but not a very good hunter when it comes to business.

But I saw what I saw, and what I learned was that there is power in numbers. I don’t think I’m a lion, so to speak, but after a pretty rough year, I’m reminded on this day how incredibly fortunate I have been thanks to the help of friends, colleagues, and sometimes total strangers.

In the Chinese Zodiac, 12 animals were in a race to cross a river to determine their rank as the Jade Emperor’s guards. Being early risers, the Ox and Rat reached the river first, but the Rat hopped in the Ox’s ear because he couldn’t swim. When they reached dry land the Rat scurried to the temple, winning first place, while the Ox followed shortly after.

I was born in the year of the ox, and with travel being hit hard last year, I can’t help but feel like the rat got the best of me in 2020. But we’ve had enough of that. Fit treks is moving in a direction I’m excited about, and I’m looking forward to making this a year of collaboration and hard work. 🐃

02/01/2021

Jambo bwana! It is a cold and rainy day here in Asheville, but looking back on this day exactly one year ago, My heart is full thinking of the day we started our ascent to the top of Kilimanjaro.

Passing through lush and misty rainforest with Colobus and Blue monkeys effortlessly flying from limb to limb, the scenery really can’t be beat. This route is the only route that offers a day in the rainforest, and though there are faster ways to summit, if you have time, Lemosho is the way to go.

Follow along in the coming days for the full Tanzanian experience🇹🇿