by karinella | Jun 24, 2015 | adventures
The rain is drumming hard on the decks of SY Pyxie today. You might think that would be as good a reason as any to sail south, south, south. Because every Norwegian knows it’s never cold or rainy further south in the world, right? I’ll get back to you with updated observations on that … next year. Because this year I’m sailing north.
I’m sailing home to Lofoten. Well, in many ways the journey will be an exploration of what home really means. Because I’ve created my own home on the boat – a home I can take anywhere. There’s a saying among liveaboards that goes “home is where the boat is”. And I’ve sometimes privately tought that “home is where the cat is”. Good thing she’s with me on the boat, so the two philosophies coalesce. Still, I adore the fjord where I grew up, and long for it. And I just couldn’t set out on a journey out across the seven seas before I had sailed in my own waters, explored the mindbogglingly beautiful coastline of Norway and gone back to the beginning. Also, my mother is severely ill, and I want to be with her and give her all that yoga has given to me before I go anywhere else.
Along the way I will make stops to do free yoga classes, explore remote places, visit farms and forage wild foods. I’ll turn the ingredents I come across into the most unauthentic, but tasty taco imaginable! Above all I will meet people who have followed their own dreams, gone their own way and created their homes along the coast. I’ll visit a surfboard shaper who is making a longboard for me, a freediving yogini who’ll teach me to hunt (for seaweed in my case, I predict), traditional boat builders, beekeepers and salty dogs, among some.
And then it’s on to Bjørnøya (Bear Island) … That’s where I’m going after my sailing adventure, and after having completed the Support Nepal Yoga Trek in October. You are most welcome to join me in Nepal, and I will explore and give a taste of some ideas and concepts during that adventure, ideas that will eventually turn into something bigger. I’m not going to spill all my beans, but I can tell you that it will be digital and personal at the same time. That’s what I plan to spend the winter on Bjørnøya developing, as well as working at the meteorological station up there.
But before winter comes summer, and the yogini sailing adventure.
If you’re in the Oslo area, come join the farewell party on July 11th! I’ll rename the boat properly to appease the sea gods and we’ll do a grand picnic on the beach – with tacos! If all goes to plan, 4 Gringos will park their taco van right nearby. Bring a towel and hopefully not an umbrella.
The event is at Bygdøy Sjøbad at 18.00, Saturday July 11th. We’ll start the evening with a free yoga session!
Photo by Carsten Aniksdal.
by karinella | Jun 4, 2015 | yoga vacations
This trek is now over, and was absolutely wonderful! I am planning another one next year.
Get in touch if you are interested in knowing more about it.
About the trek in October 2015
If you’ve ever wanted to explore Nepal, this is the moment to do it. It is actually one of the best ways you can help the country and people recover. The Annapurna region has not been destroyed by the earthquake, and it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
The trek will last 17 days (19 if you’re counting in flights to Norway) with the possibility of flying back after 14 if you’re short on time. Or you can extend it if you have more time on your hands! We will wake up to soft yoga, pranayama and meditation in the fresh air, trek through lush rhododendron forests, visit beautiful terraced villages and experience the magnificent mountain vistas of the Annapurna mountain range. The ecological and cultural diversity and hospitable people of Nepal is enough to fall in love. And then there’s the sunrise … One of the highlights is to stand on Poon Hill and watch the sun caress the snow-capped mountains with golden rays. The photo at the top is from my first trip there in 2010.
There will be rest days where we stay at a lodge, do yoga and meditate in the grassy meadows, a dip in natural thermal springs and several days to explore both Kathmandu and the lovely lakeside town of Pokhara. You can read more and book though Høyfjellspesialisten (in Norwegian). Send them or me an email if you’re joining from a different country or have any questions!
Quick facts
Duration: 17 days (count 19 with your flights)
Trek distance: 90 Km approx.
Maximum altitude: 3 210 m (Poon Hill)
Accommodation: Lodge/ tea-house
Yoga classes taught by Kari Petronella Finstad
Photo credit: Carsten Aniksdal
Itinerary
Departure Oslo or elsewhere a day before.
Day 1. Arrive in Kathmandu (1330m), getting settled at the hotel, possibility of going for a massage.
Day 2. City tour around Kathmandu Valley and trek briefing. Special welcome dinner.
Day 3. Fly to Pokhara (980m) and trek to Australian Camp (2060m)
Day 4. Trek to Tolka (1700m)
Day 5. Trek to Jhinu (1780m) thermal springs
Day 6. Trek to Chuile (2309m)
Day 7. Rest- Yoga & Meditation
Day 8. Trek to Banthanti (2700m)
Day 9. Trek to Ghorepani (2850m)
Day 10. Morning hike to Poon Hill (3210m) for sunrise views and trek to Tadopani (2600m)
Day 11. Trek to Ghandruk (1951m)
Day 12. Rest- Yoga & Meditation
Day 13. Trek to Nayapul (1010m), drive to Pokhara (890m)
Day 14. In Pokhara. Sightseeing in the morning, afternoon at leisure.
Day 15. In Pokhara. Sightseeing in the morning, afternoon at leisure.
Day 16. Drive to Kathmandu
Day 17. Departure
Arrival Oslo or elsewhere the next day.
Price 17 days: NOK 21.900 (includes one domestic flight)
Price 14 days: NOK 18.900 (includes two domestic flights)
Prices include
All trekking permits and fees
Accommodation in lodges (full pension) on the trek
Guides and carriers
All local transport
Hotel/b&b in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Welcome dinner
Sightseeing and entrance tickets in Kathmandu
All yoga lessons, of course
Prices do not include
International flights to Kathmandu. Talk to Høyfjellspesialisten for good deals
Visa ($25)
Tips to carriers and guides
Lunches and dinners outside the trek
Single room
Other activities in Pokhara, such as paragliding or just a quiet boat trip on the lake …
by karinella | May 12, 2015 | yoga vacations
Nepal is close to my heart. I found solace and inspiration in the Annapurnas and got my yoga teacher training at Ananda Yoga Center. It is a magnificent country full of kind, beautiful people. It has meant – and continues to mean – so much for yoga. It feels incredibly unfair that such a disaster should strike right there in the heart of the Himalayas. Then again, disaster is always unfair, no matter where it strikes. All we can do is extend a hand. This is the time to extend it for Nepal.
On Saturday June 13th at 16.00 I will do another Yoga for Nepal donation class, this time outdoors! In collaboration with Jar Bazar I am having a session outside Jar Kirke, Wedel Jarlsbergs vei 20. All proceeds will go directly to the Hi On Life Rescue Team. This is a team of exceptionally brave trekking guides. They have brought food and aid directly to remote villages in the most heavily affected areas, reaching people where no relief or rescue teams have been before. They are also the people behind the Thade School Project. You can read more about their work here.
The class will be restorative and meditative, and I will add a twist and flavour of Nepalese culture to it that will be unique to this session. There will be a tonglen/compassion meditation and I will step far beyond my comfort zone and chant to you. Take it as a lullaby if you wish …
The next step in order to help Nepal back on its feet is to start getting tourism back on its feet. It might not seem so important right now, when people are in dire need. But it is really essential in order to rebuild the country. If nobody travels to Nepal anymore, what will the Nepalese people live from?
I am teaming up with the Hi On Life team for a Support Nepal yoga trek starting on October 10th. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the awe-inspiring Himalayas, this is the moment to do it. It is actually one of the best ways you can help the Nepalese people! The Annapurna region has not been destroyed by the earthquake, and it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The trek will last 17 days with the possibility of flying back after 14 if you’re short on time. Or you can extend it if you have more time on your hands! We will trek through lush rhododendron forests, beautiful terraced villages and see awe-inspiring mountain vistas of the Annapurna mountain range. One of the highlights is to watch the sunrise on Poon Hill. The photo at the top is from my first trip there in 2010.
There will be several rest days where we stay at a lodge, do yoga and meditate, a dip in natural thermal springs and several days to explore both Kathmandu and the lovely town of Pokhara. You can read more here (in Norwegian) or here (in English). Feel free to contact me if this is of interest.
But first, let us do yoga together to help those in need right now!
Hope to see you 16.00 on June 13th at Jar Kirke.
by karinella | May 7, 2015 | philosophy, yoga
I am a nomad, a sea gypsy on a sailboat, without a proper address. I’ve spent time in the strangest of places, like a country that doesn’t exist, and a desolate island in the Arctic. But does it always have to be that drastic?
To me following my wanderlust means living a life of deliberate and constant exploration. Both in travelling and, even more importantly, in exploring what lies within. It implies going inside with the same curiosity and joy as I bring with me on the road. The two complement each other, but I don’t think it is for everyone to travel far and wide. It’s not for everyone to sail across the sea or reach the highest summits. Paradoxically enough, I love travelling to faraway places, but I want to share how wanderlust can thrive through embarking on the tiniest of expeditions too. The great adventurer Alastair Humphreys call them microadventures. Just like with the big journeys, it’s all about getting out of the comfort zone and going somewhere completely new.
Some people wonder what travellers are fleeing from. Some people think they are are cowards, trying to escape themselves. My response and personal experience is that travel brings you face to face with yourself in ways you couldn’t even imagine. It brings out things you might feel a lot more comfortable not facing by going through the motions of a regular life, but it also makes you get to know wonderful sides of yourself you might never discover unless you actually step out of the comfort zone and into uncertainty.
One of the best things I’ve ever done in that respect is to take up surfing – in my mid thirties, no less. Because when you’ve reached thirty you don’t have to worry about being a natural talent and excelling immediately at everything you try. Here’s a secret tip: You don’t actually have to worry about that ever. Joy of living isn’t measured in achievements. Sure, mastering something feels great. That’s not what I’m saying, either. The art lies in exploring and enjoying the process and the practice, not just some imagined end result. The fear of failure is the main culprit that keeps us from living vibrant, full lives. What if you just decided to give zero fucks about what other people think, and go for what you wanted to do anyway? That’s what I did with surfing. I’m still super clumsy and falling off the board all the time and I get super exhausted and beaten up by the waves. These moments are amazing – because they are humbling and allow me to watch the stirrings of the ego while calibrating the balance between ease and effort.
I am passionate about sharing my adventures, both big and tiny, and I’m going sailing along the coast of Norway this summer. I’ll stop on some excellent surf spots, and teach yoga there too … If you want to get a taste of wanderlust and of meeting yourself all over, I’d love it if you joined me. Or join in for the big adventure this autumn, the Support Nepal Yoga Trek! Just drop me a comment or email me at kari.finstad@gmail.com.
by karinella | May 6, 2015 | philosophy
yoginis feel sad too
Sometimes it’s just a tender ache, sometimes heart wrenching, face full of snot, ugly-crying sadness. Because, you know, life. The idea that yoga puts rose coloured glasses on everything is a myth to be debunked here and now. That’s not to say that yoga doesn’t make you feel good or isn’t helpful when life throws a shitstorm in your face. It is in fact immensely helpful. But not by zapping your emotions so that you will never feel pain, grief or hurt ever again. Let me explain.
instagram rage
There are times when my heart swells with joy and love and it spills over into social media. Then again there are times when a voice inside of me rebels against the shiny, happy, “oh, I’m so grateful and blessed” posts by myself and others that dominate my instagram feed. Because life has a lot in store, and it sure isn’t all blessed. Sometimes really horrible things happen, so horrible I’m not going to pull some BS about being grateful for the valuable life lessons they offer. Here’s the deal: Every moment is a valuable life lesson anyway. You don’t have to pretend the things that hurt don’t hurt and mask them behind a perceived obligation to be grateful for the lesson. Sometimes the lesson sucks. You’ll grow from it, sure. But you don’t have to pretend you enjoy it.
welcome to sad central
My mother is severely ill and I just lost two friends, one of them to suicide, the other to a sudden heart attack. I’m not going to smile and pretend a fibre of my being is grateful for this, no matter how much I will learn and expand and grow down the road. Because right now I’m just really terribly sad.
Yoga teaches us to be with what is, observing what is, without judgement. That means being with the feeling that arises as a response to our circumstances. It doesn’t mean you can’t allow yourself to think that something sucks. It just means observing that thought and the emotions surrounding it without judgement. It means accepting that feeling of sadness or anger or grief or whatever. Actually feeling the feelings as they arise is the key to emotional freedom. Taking time to notice what happens in the body is the deepest honesty you can give yourself. You can play the tape saying “oh, I’m fine” in your head until you’re blue in the face. The lump in your stomach, the shortness of breath, the pain in your chest – those are the real feelings. And they don’t need to be translated into words. They just need to be noticed and acknowledged. They’re there. Let them be there. Become aquainted with them. This is the practice.
be with it
It can be tempting to stop tuning into an honest awareness when things get rough. Under the pretext of having to care for others or having more important things to deal with, we tune out to avoid feeling the stuff that really hurts. But in moments of grief, I’d suggest that mindful awareness is essential, more than ever. It’s not about digging a hole in the ground and staying there, but about taking a few minutes to just step out of the loop to observe your own emotions with compassion. Sometimes even less than a few minutes, because it hurts so much you have to leave it. Sometimes you do have to let yourself be distracted for a while, to give yourself a bit of distance. But there is a fine balance. If the distractions take the place of true, raw emotion, we lose touch with who we are. We become fragmented. The opposite of yoga, really.
the blaming game
When my friend commited suicide my immediate response was not very useful, to say the least. I started thinking about what I could have done. I blamed myself for not knowing how she had been the last couple of years. I jumped straight into the blaming game, in truth a very egocentric game where there is no way of winning. If you play along, guilt wins every time. Guilt is probably my primal demon. Others have theirs. There was a time when guilt used to haunt me no matter where I turned. That was before I found yoga. Now guilt is more like an old aquaintance that I’ve realised drains my energy and thus choose not to hang out with anymore. Practicing yoga, both in movement and in stillness, is what brought that change about. Because it taught me mindful observation. Mindful observation and the acceptance of things as they are. “… if only” isn’t going to bring my friend back to life or cure my Mother. It is the way it is. I can choose to stay miserable and feel guilty for all the things I cannot change or I can move into a space of acceptance. For anyone struggling I do suggest the latter path. It’s a rough one, without the cushioning of wishful thinking or the pool of misery to wallow over in. But it is the one that brings strength, and down the road, happiness.
Get it out
Go find the ocean. Swear. Yell. Cry. Sing your heart out.
No ocean? Find a forest or a mountain or even just a piece of paper.
Take a breath. Deep breathing is a bit like coughing up hairballs of pent-up emotion.
Get it out. That’s what I’m doing now, I guess.
Disclaimer. For real:
Please note that this is just a reflection on dealing with the shitstorm of life when you’re in a place where you can actually do so. There are times when things get too heavy. If you are suffering from depression, eating disorders, self-harming, any addictions or have suicidal thoughts, please seek professional help.
