YOGA POSES for road trips
Even if you only have a few minutes, these restorative hip and
shoulder openers are the perfect antidote to long drives. Stay in
each pose for as long as you have time (ten breaths or more is ideal).The Daintree (2000km from home)
Before the ferry
Stay: Daintree Eco Lodge makes for a perfect indulgent
stopover. The rooms are relaxed, and you’ll instantly notice
the deliberate lack of a television. Some rooms have baths on
the rainforest verandas, and the property has its own
rainforest wander and waterfall. The luxury is definitely
worth a visit before delving into the thick of the Daintree.
Stay, Nature, Yoga: Prema Shanti
Arriving at Prema Shanti felt like a coming home. So familiar
and comforting, from the serene music in the background, to
the yoga shala blessed by monks -— these guys are the real
deal. Owned by yogi couple Mara and Janardhan, Prema
Shanti is communal and friendly, but with plenty of time and
space for doing your own thing. On the first night we
After the ferry
The Daintree National Park is a world heritage wonderland,
and visitors can take a short ferry ride to get there. There’s
no shopping, no phone reception and no trendy yoga
studios. And there’s no Wi-Fi, so once I had crossed the
river, I quickly said goodbye to my digital nomadery and my
favourite Netflix series, ready to immerse myself in the
tropical surrounds. Endless enchanted forests softened the
chatter of my mind as I explored some of the world’s most
rich and powerful rainforest. Un-impacted by the Ice Age,
this place is older than the Amazon!
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is the Byron Bay of the rainforest, and I felt
instantly at home. There are plenty of cute cafés and
boutique stores to explore, but the magic of nature is
perfectly preserved as you take in the beautiful surrounds.
Yo ga : You’ll be spoilt for choice as you discover a plethora
of options. Try yoga on the beach or Deep Yoga Studio for
yogi glamour — a rare find in the area.practiced a gentle yoga class then enjoyed a group dinner of
biryani, lentils and spinach, followed by an early night in a
comfortable, zen room in preparation for meditation early the
next morning. After breakfast, Mara sat with us and pointed out
all the places we could visit. “Here’s the bio-dynamic ice-cream
place. Here’s the sacred (secret) waterhole. But please, I invite
you to be with yourself and feel the energy of this place.” She
encouraged us to slow down and go within, but also pointed us
in the direction of some of the area’s best and most spiritual
attractions.
In the handful of days that I spent at Prema Shanti, I spent
the hours sitting on the deck overlooking the rainforest, reading
and sipping cups of tea, taking dips in sacred swimming
holes and exploring the handful of rainforest walks on offer.
Janardhan told us that it takes the “city folk” a couple of days to
settle in, and by the time it was time to leave, having settled into
a deliciously slow pace, I was sad to say goodbye and was already
planning my next visit.1 Reclining Butterfly:
Supta Baddha Konasana
The perfect release for hips,
groin, inner thighs, chest and
spine, as well as a beautiful heart-opener with a bolster. Can be
practiced with or without props. Place the bolster (or a rolled up
blanket/towel) along the floor, then recline onto it with the start of
the bolster above your tailbone. Extend your arms along your sides
(higher up for more of a heart-opening) then place the soles of your
feet together and your knees out to
the sides.2 Melting Heart:
Anahatasana
This pose deeply
opens the shoulders, pextoral muscles, thoracic spine, neck and
lower back, all of which become tight when driving. From your
hands and knees, walk your hands forward until your forehead or
chin easily rests onto the floor. Feel the breath moving into the
back of your heart as you allow your armpits to melt toward
the earth.3 Pigeon
Rajakapotasana
This pose will open tight hips after lots of sitting. You can use a bolster/
towel/blanket for support if you have one with you. From hands and
knees, slide your right knee behind your right wrist as you extend your
left leg straight back behind you. If your knees hurt, skip this pose. As
you inhale, lift and open your chest, and exhale to surrender forward.
When ready, return to hands and knees and
practice on the left side.4 Reclining
Twist: Supta Matsyendrasana
This twist will realign your spine and facilitate a gentle hip and heart
opening. Lie flat on your back and draw your right knee toward your
chest, placing your right foot onto your left knee. Extend your right
arm out to the side at shoulder height as you draw your right knee all
the way over to the left side. Gaze over your right shoulder as you
gently press the shoulder blade towards the earth. When complete,
return to centre and practice on the left.
*Our pro is My Health Yoga’s Carrie-Anne Fields.39
october 2017yogajournal.com.au