Australian_Yoga_Journal_October_2017

PHOTOS: WWW.TARO SMITH.COM

ALTHOUGH THE OCEAN COVERSmore

than 70 per cent of the surface of our

planet, it’s a world in which we cannot

survive, and as such it is virtually

unseen. As a result, the ocean’s

magnitude and dire importance to life

itself on earth is rarely understood.

It seems like most people are

spending the majority of their hours

looking at screens rather than

experiencing the planet directly. This

only compounds the disconnection with

the natural world. In order to gain

people’s attention on screen, there is

now a major movement among ocean

and earth activists to capture imagery

that stops viewers in their tracks and

inspires them into a greater state of

awareness.

In 2012, I jumped into that trend with

the hope of raising awareness about the

plight of whale sharks and manta rays,

through images of interspecies

interaction and yoga. As we practice

yoga we become increasingly aware that

we are part of something much greater

than ourselves. As a result, we become

more and more connected to the natural

world and our concern for its welfare

expands. Pairing yoga with these

animals seemed like a logical next step!

To prepare for these underwater

shoots, I began training to test my

flexibility underwater, hold my breath

for long stints, discover the world of free

diving, and increase my strength and

cardiovascular capacity. It was vigorous

but still not nearly enough for what it

would take physically to get those shots.

Miraculously I survived treading water

and free diving in the open ocean eight

hours a day for five days in a row. The

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october 2017

yogajournal.com.au

Amy Ippoliti explores why it’s crucial we protect our

vast and spectacular oceans and how she is sharing

this message and motivating others through yoga.

Out of sight,

out of mind