A BILLION PERSON CELEBRATION
Did you know every year more than a BILLION people celebrate Earth Day?! April 22 is officially designated as Earth Day, but as yogis (and humans) we are always connected to the rhythms and well-being of our precious planet; so isn’t it true that every day is Earth Day? Whether its weather events, the plants we eat or the energizing electric charge we receive from walking barefoot on the ground –the earth challenges us, nourishes us, and energizes us. Yoga is a beautiful way to become more grateful for these incredible gifts. As we synch our breath and become present, we are literally synching up with the cycles of nature. A sustainable yoga practice that takes our impact on the planet into consideration reinforces this connection in wonderful ways!
YOU MATTER. THE EARTH MATTERS. YOU MATTER TO THE EARTH.
It's all too easy to lose touch with the natural world that sustains us. We spend our days indoors, absorbed in technology and stresses. We can fall into mindless, wasteful consumption behaviors and no one needs reminding of the consequences of a warming planet.
But it is essential to remember, there are also powerful reasons for hope. Rather than feeling overwhelmed –take joy in that there is a countervailing force to this destruction manifested by a global collective consciousness that’s activated like never before! Billions of people are acting in billions of ways to heal themselves and the planet and you get to be a part of it all! From clean energy to carbon capture to mindful living -- solutions to the climate crisis are more affordable and accessible than ever before.
In just a few decades of focused human endeavor the renewable energy from solar, wind, and other green sources now outperforms fossil fuels on price and new sources! Electric vehicles are going mainstream. Plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy are making sustainable eating more appealing. Just like the ancients celebrated the earth’s rhythms with festivals for planting and harvesting – we should celebrate these achievements and use our collective positive energy to achieve even more. Isn’t our incredible planet and all she has provided, worth humankind staying in the fight?
A YOGIC RESPONSE
At our core, we yogis understand that we are not separate from our Earth Mother. Her pain is our pain. Her healing is our healing. When we connect with our true selves, we cannot help but be moved to protect her.The path of the yogi is to live in alignment with the natural laws of the universe. So on this special Earth Day we’ve collected a few actionable ways that can help you tread lightly, live thoughtfully and reduce our footprint.
1. Cultivating Mindfulness and Yoga in everyday life: This is perhaps the most important principal of all and the well spring for many other positive actions. By bringing our attention to the present moment, we breath into the rhythms of the earth. This elevates our consciousness, leading to gratefulness for mother earth, reduction of consumption habits and reduced waste generation.
2. Embracing Yogic Minimalism : Do we really need new yoga apparel and equipment with every fashion “drop?” Or…should we keep an eye out for well made, timeless items that are made to last? Yoga teachings promote letting go of attachments to material possessions. This aligns with the minimalist philosophy of consuming less and reducing our ecological footprint Our ecological practices should embrace “Re-using” first, before we consider recycling or replacing.
3) Ahimsa (Non-Violence)The yogic principle of ahimsa or non-violence extends to minimizing harm to all living beings, including animals and the environment. This can inspire plant-based diets and reduced exploitation of natural resources.
4) Get Out!
Practicing yoga outdoors and "forest bathing" deepens our connection and appreciation for the natural world, motivating us to protect it. The simple act of walking barefoot absorbs an electrical charge with proven health benefits
5) Eco-Friendly Equipment Elevates Your Yoga Practice:
Look for natural renewable materials like hemp or organic cotton for your apparel, yoga towels and yoga straps and choose biodegradable materials like natural rubber or recyclable materials like TPE when buying your yoga mats. It’s cool to think that what’s good for our bodies is good for the earth!
TREES HELP ORCAS & ORCAS ARE COOL
Kinshē partners with One Tree Planted to plant one tree with every purchase. These trees help restore forests in the wake of devastating wildfires and repair damage caused by industry and erosion. Amazingly, by restoring riparian forest habitats in the Pacific Northwest, salmon habitat recovers which in turn helps the recovery of the endangered Southern Resident Orcas who feed on the salmon!
When we hit this mat on this special Earth Day, let’s take a moment to marvel how positive actions "Upstream" benefit ecosystems "Downstream" and take a sacred vow to tread more lightly, live more mindfully, and cherish our amazing planet with every breath.
Happy Earth Day!
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