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Get in Touch with Nature With Jo Tastula’s High Vibrations Yoga

jo tastulaWhy are all of the FBGs discussing green and natural fitness stuff this week? Because it’s Fit Bottomed Earth Week, silly!

There are so many things to be thankful for in life, and sometimes with all the hustle of our everyday activities, we forget to stay in the moment. It’s in this moment and place where we cultivate our true selves and find inner alignment. It’s also where we feel most at home—and natural (see the tie-in to Fit Bottomed Earth Week?!)—within ourselves. Jo Tastula’s High Vibrations Yoga DVD helped center me at a time when all I wanted to do was let my mind race.

Her compilation of five meditations and five short practices range from eight to 15 minutes in length and take place in a beautiful rocky landscape. The music and Jo’s voice calm the mind and allow each person to listen to his or her body, thus letting their mind chatter disappear.

I found that the short practices are the perfect amount of time to start or end your day. They are not difficult and aren’t meant for you to break a sweat. This set of meditations and practices do what most things in life can’t—help you refocus and live in the moment. We only have one life to live, so let’s be mindful of ourselves and the world around us.

The 5 Segments of the High Vibrations Yoga DVD

Here is a list of the five meditations and its corresponding short practices…

Abundance: This practice is about cultivating your energy. There are two main poses, including crescent and temple pose, but the main focus is on breathing. The mantra you follow? “I am in the flow of life and connected to the energy of all things.”

Releasing: The Releasing practice is about releasing the negative, or things in life you can’t get past, and bringing in the new. Personally, this one was my favorite, and by the end of the practice all the tension and stress I had was gone. My exhales had become more meaningful, and I started to listen to my body. Mantra: “I release the past and open myself fully into the serenity of this moment.”

Strength: The Strength practice begins with one hand on the belly and one hand on the heart. As you focus on your breath flowing through your body, your mind enters a relaxed state. From this point you begin your practice, including chair pose, plank, three push-ups and warrior I. Mantra: “I’m directly connected to the source of all energy in the universe.”

Balance: The Balance practice is about finding a deeper consciousness within. Each pose allows the whole body to open up and re-energize. Poses include chair pose, plank, downward dog and cobra. This section’s mantra: “My natural state is one of deep harmony within myself and in the world.”

Peace: The Peace practice helps you find peace and serenity within yourself and the many changes of life. Poses include child’s pose, cat and cow, and downward facing dog. Mantra: “My natural state is one of deep peace.”

Seriously, Namaste.

FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★
Music: ★★★
Fun Factor: ★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★

Overall: ★★★

Fit Bottomed Line: If you’re looking to get more in touch with your natural self for Earth Day or are looking to de-stress, this yoga and meditation DVD is it. You won’t get a great physical workout, but your brain will get a calm-inducing breather!

Do you use yoga or meditation in addition to your usual workouts to de-stress? Does it help you connect to nature? Tell us about it! —Raquel

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!