OUTDOORS
Nature calls:
get out to go within Hong Kong’s top yogis share their favourite hikes out of the city to find peace within. By Melanie Cox Getting into a meditative state to cultivate inner peace doesn’t require a yoga mat. Put on your hiking boots and head on one of these recommended hikes for a completely zen, moving meditation.
Luke Graeber Yoga Teacher & Photography @lukegraeber Where is your favourite hike in Hong Kong to cultivate inner peace? Long Ke Wan Beach in Sai Kung District. I love water, especially being by the ocean. When I go hiking I don’t bring my phone with me, so it’s a chance to shut off from the many distractions I have and enjoy being fully absorbed in life. The beauty of being out in nature is that it is easy to acquire a feeling that everything in existence is inherently interconnected, from us humans to the trees, we are all just small parts that make up the whole. Does hiking compliment yoga and mindfulness? Yoga is a system to connect with the all encompassing underlying reality, to eradicate the boundaries of individuality and flow with existence, hiking in nature can assist in the feeling of boundlessness. Hiking is a very
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enjoyable and interesting activity, there are many beautiful things to pay attention to and stay focused in the present moment. Do you feel the need to “escape” the city? Yes definitely, I feel too much time in the city without any access to some form of nature can cause extra stress and anxiety, being in nature is very healing for my body and mind.
Since Covid-19, do you feel the need to get out more often? The current situation definitely makes me feel confined but I have my morning practices to deal with feelings that arise. Additionally, meditation, pranayama, asana and studying yoga philosophy are my daily practices that give me all the inner peace I need, plus so much more.
