The Yoga Mountain

By Mindy Arbuckle, E-RYT

Last week my husband, Brian, suggested that we should hike a fourteen-er on Saturday. We haven’t hiked one for a couple of years since I found out I was pregnant. We decided this would be a good time to start again, the weather was suppose to be good, we are in decent shape and we have a great backpack for my daughter, Zella, to ride in.

When we got up early on Saturday morning I wasn’t feeling 100%. Still, we packed our food, water and gear and drove up Guanella Pass, just west of Denver, CO, so we could hike Mt. Bierstadt. Halfway up the pass we found out it was closed. We could have simply turned around at this point and gone home, but instead we drove a little further west to the base of Grays and Torreys. As we approached the parking lot we came upon a line of parked cars that was at least a ½ mile long. Again, we could have said, “this is outrageous!” and gone home. But we didn’t. We found a parking spot and added a ¼ mile to each side of our hike.

Have you ever felt like obstacles are put in your way just to test you and your commitment? It’s just like when you use to have a smooth and consistent yoga practice, but something took you away from it for a while. Then when you are ready to begin again, a number of things pop up and try to stop you. Read on to discover the parallels between staying committed to yourself and your yoga practice (your personal mountain) and what it takes to get up and down a fourteen-er.

We began the 4.5 mile hike to the top of Torres Peak around 9:30 (later than you would normally start a hike like this). The first 30 minutes were brutal until we found our rhythm and pace. The wild flowers were the best part of the first part of our hike. Even though we were working hard and the peak seemed a long way off there was beauty all around us.

Getting yourself started after taking a break from your yoga practice can feel just like this. You feel like you have to nearly start over from scratch. Along the way you are reminded of the beauty and power yoga has to offer your body, mind and spirit. And, as you stay consistent with your practice you fall back into the familiar groove you once knew.

As we hiked farther up the mountain we came to stream crossings, alpine tundra, boulder and talus fields and forks in the trail. Some areas were very steep while others were not so bad. We saw hundreds of people on the trail and passed quite a few on the way up and a couple even passed us up. There were all kinds of people from across the US. Some were more prepared for the terrain and the hike than others. Most people didn’t know about hiker etiquette and nearly pushed us aside as they came down (not so great with a baby on your back). With all these small obstacles arising every few minutes we kept on going with the larger picture in mind, the clear view from the top.

Your yoga practice is a lot like this hike. With continued practice the body, mind and even the world with throw road blocks in your way and offer forks in the road. Things from your past can arise, your mind will tell you that you can’t make it, “you didn’t stick to it last time so why should you now.” All kinds of excuses will come up for you to stop your yoga practice. But with clear vision you know there is something greater that lies ahead. Which path will you choose?

Around noon the three of us made it to the top of the peak. It’s always such an enlivening feeling knowing that you have accomplished something so great! My daughter, Zella, was by far the youngest one at the top at just 18 months of age. The time we spent at the top was perfection! There was no wind, it was sunny, only a few clouds limited our nearly endless view. It was blissful.

Often times in your yoga class you may get a glimpse of this blissful feeling of peace, balance and contentment. You can see your life clearly and the path you have journeyed to get to this point. The ultimate goal of yoga is to live an enlightened life, fully connected and spiritually aware, while immersed in the ever changing world that surrounds us. You find your perfection and live in its harmony.

After our lunch at the top we began the descent. The top was a bit loose and quite steep so we took it slow with Zella. As we hiked down a quick moving storm blew in and it began to rain and hail on us. We wrapped Zella up and continued down the slippery trail. We were soaked halfway down. The storm cleared for the last mile and a half and we were completely dry by the time we reached the car to go home. I had a smile on my face the entire way down, taking time to enjoy even the “worst” of it.

Have you ever experienced the best yoga class where you were fully connected to each breath, every movement felt amazing and the mind was serene and then you came home from this blissful class and the kids were screaming, your spouse was unhappy with you and the phone is ringing? It feels like blissfulness from your yoga class has all but vanished. That is the trick, to be able to fully experience your yoga and live in this world without it changing you. No matter how much rain and hail you get in your life, keep your peace and a smile on your face.

About the author:
Mindy Arbuckle is the owner of Green Mountain Yoga in Arvada, CO. She has been studying and teaching yoga for most of her adult life and is passionate about helping people through positive and intentional self transformation.

Tagged as: 14er, fourteener, hiking, yoga mountain, yoga practice