Yoga with a view

Yoga on the mountain, in the open air, with an almost kitschy view - I don't think it gets any better than this. This blog article is very close to my heart, not because I'm a yogi myself, but because I think the opportunities for yoga in nature are so great that I have to share my enthusiasm with you. Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains are perfect for this. I am convinced that everyone, whether beginner, professional, tourist or local, can benefit from yoga in nature and find relaxation.

Yoga - the path is the goal

There are many styles of yoga and probably even more reasons why people practise yoga. Whether you are looking for less stress, more energy, relaxation, flexibility or physical exercise, it doesn't matter. I, for example, have been as stiff as a stick for as long as I can remember. Fearing that I wouldn't be able to move by the time I was 40 at the latest, I took up yoga. I didn't expect much, except that I might eventually manage to touch the floor with my fingertips when my legs were stretched out. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it very quickly. I went to yoga at least once a week. It accompanied me through my pregnancies and the time afterwards.

But when I started working more and was busy with two small children, I made less and less time for yoga until I finally stopped doing it altogether. A few weeks ago, my sister sent me a link to "Yoga am Köpfl" - a sign from fate, a sign from the universe that it was time to overcome my inner bastard and start doing yoga again.

Just stay with yourself...

My sister, who had the idea, stood me up. So I had to do my first yoga class alone after years of not practising. That wouldn't have been too bad, but I was a bit nervous. As I said, I'm not a talented mover. What do the others think of me? Will I embarrass myself if I do the exercises wrong? Complete nonsense, as the yoga teacher Sara explained to me later: "Just stay on the mat, don't look to the left or right, just stay with yourself." She was right. I should remember this sentence and integrate it into my life off the mat too. But before I get too philosophical, I'd rather tell you how wonderful my first yoga class at the idyllic reservoir was.

Even the journey there was relaxing. The two gondola lifts (Peter Anich I and II) take you up the Sulzstich and then walk downhill for a few minutes. You can't really miss the lake, and if you're not quite sure, just follow the people with the yoga mats. In the summer months, you'll find a few of them on Saturdays.

Sara Centurioni offers now for the sixth year in cooperation with the Oberperfuss mountain railroads on Rangger Köpfl Yoga classes. "It was important to me to create yoga classes that correspond to the feeling of freedom in summer. Participants are invited by the Bergsommer Oberperfuss invited. This means there are no costs for the yoga session. You don't have to register either. You can decide spontaneously on Saturday morning whether you feel like a mountain yoga class or not!" By the way: guests staying with a Welcome Cardpartner receive the Welcome Card plus free of charge for stays of 3 nights or more. This includes, among other things, one ascent and descent with the Oberperfuss cable cars (sections I + II) per stay. At the risk of sounding like a barker: This really is a great offer that you shouldn't miss out on.

Before Sara completed her yoga teacher training, she was a student for a long time. Even though she now teaches herself, she still feels like a student in a way, because yoga is a lifelong learning experience, as she emphasizes. "I started practicing yoga about 16 years ago. It became my passion, my philosophy and my way of life. Through yoga, I have learned to deal with certain situations better. I read a lot and trained myself further. The desire to teach myself had been tickling me for a long time, I finally decided to do it in 2018 and I am very happy about this step." I am convinced that many people take up yoga to improve their fitness. For Sara, that was never the reason. "For me, yoga was never about working out or 'shaping' my body. I always preferred going to the gym for that. Yoga gives me the opportunity to calm down, to feel my body and yes, of course some exercises and flows are strenuous and show you your limits. But my yoga classes are a performance-free zone! Everyone can be who they want to be! Yoga is colorful and I'm sure that everyone will find their color."

Maybe it's just me, but I often find it difficult to stay with myself and concentrate - even when practising yoga. Wouldn't it be easier for people like me to practise in a closed room? "Of course, outdoor yoga isn't suitable for everyone. You have to get into it. The ground isn't flat, walkers pass by and chat, small animals crawl across the mat, birds chirp and insects buzz, but for me, nature is the most inspiring space to practise yoga. It is an invitation to go even more inward. To focus on your breath and yourself," says Sara. We also have no control over the weather. "I adapt the exercises: when it's cooler, we move more, when it's hot, the asanas are calmer."

This Rangger Köpfl is one of the places around Innsbruck where you can practise yoga at altitude, but certainly not the only one. Anyone on vacation in Innsbruck has to go to the Nordkette. Otherwise you will (in my opinion) miss out on one of the highlights and most important figureheads of the Alpine metropolis of Innsbruck. Yoga teacher Pia Sigl offers yoga classes on the Seegrube on Fridays in summer when the weather is fine. A little tip: be sure to check the weather forecast. The yoga classes are suitable for everyone. Whether beginner or professional yogi, everyone is welcome. The only important thing is that places on the yoga platform are limited, so please book in advance. Tickets are available on Pia's website. A special treat for all those who don't yet have a ticket for the Nordkettenbahnen yet: On presentation of the yoga ticket, there is a 50 percent discount on the ride. Those who prefer a more sporty approach can of course also walk. However, you should allow one and a half to two hours for this type of warm-up (depending on where you start).

Not on the mountain, but all year round and also with Pia every Wednesday in the Botanical Garden Innsbruck "Experience Yoga" takes place. In contrast to the previous offers, you are not dependent on the weather here. When the weather is nice, we practice under the maple leaf plane tree, when it rains and in fall and winter in the room in front of the tropical house. Anyone who wants to practice Prana Yoga Flow is welcome. Pia places particular emphasis on a yoga-therapeutic approach and the use of essential oils.

"Sundown Yoga" on the Patscherkofel

Relax at the end of the day, leave the stress of everyday life behind and recharge your batteries - you can do this every Thursday at "Sundown Yoga" on the Patscherkofel. The yoga classes take place in the beautiful Patscherkofel seminar room in the Patscherkofelbahn mountain station. I have to admit that I find it very pleasant to exercise outside in summer, especially in the cooler morning and evening hours. So at first I was a little skeptical as to whether the "mountain yoga feeling" would be lost if you were indoors. But no! The large windows give you a wonderful view of the Nordkette mountain range opposite and the Inn Valley. While you are in the flow or quietly lingering in an asana, you can enjoy the vastness and tranquillity of the Alps - a wonderful combination for relaxing.

An absolute plus: you can't be affected by the weather. I experienced this first-hand last Thursday. We started in glorious sunshine, gradually fog rolled in and finally the yoga class ended in the rain. I don't think it would have been as relaxing if we had been lying on our backs in the rain during Shavasana (the final relaxation). But it was all the more cozy in the room!

Sunday morning yoga on the Patscherkofel

Moni Brachmayer-Jauk not only teaches Sundown Yoga on the Patscherkofel, but also Yoga on Sunday morning. I can understand that after a long day at work you might prefer to lie down on the couch rather than on the yoga mat. But that's no excuse to give up yoga for the whole week. Just sleep in on Sunday and take the gondola up the Patscherkofel. A morning yoga practice awaits you without the pressure to perform and the stress of free time. Everyone is welcome at Moni's yoga classes, no previous experience is expected. Just wear something sporty, bring a yoga mat if you have one and off you go. Just please register in advancethe number of participants is limited.

I am enthusiastic about the Yoga-in-the-field and yoga-on-the-mountain offers around Innsbruck. For me, these are wonderful opportunities to celebrate summer, relax, calm down and move at the same time. Talking to yoga teacher Sara Centurioni showed me once again that yoga is not about performance and that you should never compare yourself to others. A very reassuring thought for me. So: grab your yoga mat and head up the mountain!

Yoga information

Yoga on the Köpfl

• When: June 8 to September 7, 2024 every Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
  In case of rain, the class will unfortunately be canceled
• Where: Rangger Köpfl reservoir
• Costs: NONE - The Oberperfuss mountain summer invites you to the yoga sessions
• What to bring: Mat, comfortable clothing and a water bottle
• How toget there: Oberperfuss cable cars
• Registration: NOT required

Yoga teacher:
Sara Centurioni
E-mail: sara@sansarayoga.at
Tel: 0699/100 64 437
Homepage

Nordkette Mountain Flow

• When: until the end of September 2024 - every Friday in good weather at 16:00 - 17:15
• Where: Seegrube on the Nordkette
• Meeting point: at 15:45 Nordkettenbahn Seegrube
• Cost: € 18.00
• What to bring: your yoga equipment and possibly a blanket for the final relaxation
• Arrival: with the Innsbruck Nordkettenbahnen (50% discount on presentation of the yoga ticket)
• Registration: here

Yoga teacher
Pia Sigl
Tel: 0699/11982843
Email: yoga@piqi.at
Homepage
Instagram

Yoga on the Patscherkofel

"Sundown Yoga" on the Patscherkofel

• When: until October 24, 2024, Thursdays from 6:30 - 7:45 pm
• Where: at the Patscherkofel mountain station
• Meeting point: 18:00 at the Patscherkofelbahn valley station
• Cost: € 18 per person or validate a block of 10 tickets
• What to bring: Mat and whatever else you need for yoga
• How toget there: Discounted yoga tickets for the ascent and descent with the Patscherkofelbahn of -30%.
• Registration: with Moni Brachmayer-Jauk

Sunday morning yoga

• When: until October 27, 2024, Sundays from 10:30 - 11:45 am
• Meeting point: 10:00 am at the Patscherkofelbahn valley station
• otherwise everything is the same as for Sundown Yoga

Yoga teacher
Moni Brachmayer-Jauk
Tel: 0699 - 180 13000
Email: monika.brachmayer@gmail.com
Homepage
Facebook

Yoga on the mountain - cover picture: © Luca Jaenichen (Nordkette)

Would you like to find out more about yoga or even how to become a yoga teacher? Then listen to our podcast. Yoga teacher and influencer Marcel Clementi talks about how he discovered yoga and how it has enriched his life.