Trekking in the Himalayas brings to the surface whatever is ready to be released, and yoga helps us to release our attachments around letting go. It is this relationship that makes yoga and trekking such a beautiful match.

The benefit of having a yoga sadhana (spiritual practice) on trek is that it supports and encourages the deep transformational processes that occur as a result of being extremely challenged on trek. One's entire concept of who they think they are comes into question — physically, mentally, emotionally and most importantly spiritually. Yoga helps ground us, so that we can respond to those "questions" wisely and with awareness.

The Himalayas have forever been a place for transformation and spiritual refuge. Sages and yogis alike have gone there to practice tapas (austerities) to attain realization of the Self, and surrender the concept of "I".

In order to help open up the body and still the mind, as well as the energetic flow that supports the trekking experience, we begin each morning at 6:30 by focusing for 90 minutes, on the eight limbs of yoga as set forth by Patanjali. This gives each person the opportunity to observe their physical and mental holding patterns and be still before the trekking day begins, and supports them in being able to better move into and through the inevitable challenges with awareness, compassion and grace.