Often when we think of our yoga practice, we have visions of sun salutations, perhaps of sweat dripping on to the map between our toes and of shaking thighs trying to hold ourselves in strange but appealing positions. Yet after we finish asana, we shower, eat and our practice is rolled up with the mat and we take our shaking thighs out into the day. How do we take what we learn on the mat out and into our environment?
In our modern world we often think of our ‘environment’ as simply the location that we find ourselves in, or simply, what is around our physical bodies. However when we start to see ourselves as an interconnected part of this word 'environment' we begin to realize a deep and spiritual connection with our earth and with ourselves. It is a connection that comes with a responsibility to give back more than we take and is a part of Niyama, or our attitude with ourselves.
With this spirit of selfless service in mind, the concept of giving back comes naturally to a yogi or yogini. It is an extension of our practice of yoga and takes yoga from our mat and into our daily routine.
This connection is what inspired the Tasikoki Yoga Retreat, a unique and one-of-a-kind retreat being held at an animal rescue center in Northern Sulawesi.
“It is impossible to not want to help when you arrive at Tasikoki Animal Rescue Center”, says event coordinator, yogini and full-time volunteer, Sarah Dixon. “You are in one of the most beautiful natural environments imaginable yet you are caring for animals that have been through some of the most un-natural and horrible experiences imaginable, thanks to humans.”
The Tasikoki Animal Rescue Center (a registered not-for-profit), cares for animals rescued from the wildlife and bush-meat trafficking trade, working towards their rehabilitation and release back into their native habitats. It currently cares for over 250 rescued animals including orangutans, gibbons, macaques, sun bears, birds, crocodiles and many others.
“As a yoga teacher, I wanted to show people how to transfer that energy created on the mat into powerful and constructive change for the environment and the discovery of what yoga really is,” says Sarah. “Setting up a yoga retreat here seemed like such a natural progression. At the same time as raising much needed funding for the center, we are offering others the chance to give something back to our planet and share this incredible experience. I can’t think of a better way to do it, than here in this amazing place with these amazing creatures. With passion, pure intensions and prana flowing through our bodies we are capable of achieving anything.”
For bookings and further information about the Tasikoki Yoga Retreat, look online at www.tasikokiyoga.bounce.com.au. The retreat runs from August 28 – September 3 and places are limited to just 10 people.