Gentle yoga for after your hike
There’s something deeply grounding about moving through Freycinet National Park's wild landscapes—the soft crunch of dirt underfoot, the gentle rustle of gum leaves in the breeze, the rhythm of your breath syncing with the trail’s incline. Most visitors who come to Numie are drawn to this adventurous way of exploring.
After a day on Freycinet National Park trails, when your legs feel heavy and your back carries the weight of the adventure, there’s nothing like slowing down. Some may enjoy a long soak in the open hot tub, a sauna session at the retreat house, while others gather around the fire pit, unwinding and sharing stories about the day’s adventures.
Yoga after a hike isn’t just about stretching, it’s about integration. As you roll out your mat, you might still feel the warmth of the sun on your skin or hear the distant call of a bird flying over Pelican Bay.
We asked Helena, a gentle and experienced yoga teacher who runs Bluecoast Yoga, hosts yoga sessions at Numie, and loves hiking around Tassie, to share a few post-hike movements to help you stretch, soothe, and unwind.
As you roll out your mat, get ready to unwind after a day of adventure in Freycinet National Park.
1. Release tension in your spine and shoulders.
Begin on your hands and knees: hands beneath shoulders, knees under hips. Inhale deeply, tilting your pelvis forward as your belly releases toward the earth, lifting your chin to the sky in Cow Pose. Feel the gentle arch in your spine. Exhale, tucking your pelvis under, rounding through your back, and letting your head fall in Cat Pose.
With each breath, feel your spine ripple, releasing any tightness from carrying a backpack or navigating rocky paths.
2. Downward Facing Dog.
From Cat/Cow, spread your fingers wide, and inhale, lifting your knees and straightening your legs. It is also fine if you prefer to keep them bent. Let your hips reach for the sky in Downward Facing Dog.
Feel the stretch through your calves and hamstrings—the muscles that worked hardest during your hike. Gently step out by bending one knee and then the other, allowing your hips to sway side to side. Stay here, slowly breathing in, and out, feeling your back lengthen and your mind settle.
3. Forward Fold: decompress your spine.
From Downward Dog, slowly walk your feet toward your hands, folding your torso over your thighs. Let your head hang heavy, releasing tension from your neck and shoulders. It’s okay to bend your knees generously—this is about release, not perfection.
Stay for a few slow breaths, feeling your spine hang and decompress. With each exhale, picture one beautiful moment of your hike melting into the earth.
4. Hip Circles: relax your hips and lower back.
After your day exploring by foot, your hips deserve some love. Stand tall with feet wider than your hips, and gently place your hands on your lower back. Begin making slow, intentional circles with your hips—first in one direction, then the other.
Feel into the movement, loosening any tightness in your hip flexors and lower back. Sometimes, it’s these simple movements that offer the deepest relief.
5. Final Forward Fold.
Return to a forward fold, this time focusing on grounding. Let your arms dangle, your spine feeling long. Take a few more breaths here, feeling the full back body release. As you finish your practice, pause for a few breaths, feeling the stillness that surrounds you. Notice the shifts within your body and mind. Take one last deep breath and finish with a smile.
At Numie, there’s always space to reconnect—whether on the trail, by the water, or right here, breathing deeply into your next adventure.
If you're planning a visit to Numie and a day full of adventures exploring the marvelous Freycinet Peninsula, reach out to Helena to book your private yoga session at 0457 153 796. Let her guide you as you melt into your mat.