For the most part, I really love what I do with Namaste in Nature. But there are still some days where I ask the question “Why in the world am I doing this?”

In order to feel really content, purposeful and fulfilled with my job or life in general, I’ve found it really helps to dig deep and find my “why.”

When I first started experimenting with this in 2017, my “why” went something like “I like hiking and teaching yoga and meditation and others probably like those things too.” However, pure enjoyment wasn’t enough because there are plenty of things I have to do to keep this business profitable that aren’t so fun like bookkeeping, budgeting, permits and paperwork.

I had to dig deeper. I had a breakthrough when I figured out how my “why” is bigger than just me.

Team & Tribe

First and foremost, I want to support my current team of 10 other yoga guides. I’m super grateufl because I wouldn’t be able to lead all these yoga hikes by myself. Yoga is a really saturated market - not to mention notoriously low-paying - especially in Asheville. This business provides opportunities for myself and other yoga teachers to make some extra income. (Yoga teacher training typically costs $1,000 - $4,000.) From the beginning, it’s been a priority for me to properly compensate my team above the NC Minimum Wage and beyond the Buncombe County Living Wage. The majority of money that our guests spend on these experiences goes to supporting residents living right here in the Asheville area.

I also get to support other local artists and businesses like Ivana Desancic who took this portrait at the beginning of this post!

Conservation & Climate Change

It can be a pain, but the money I have to pay for permits supports maintenance and conservation of our national and state lands including Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Recreational Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. I believe in education guests about nature and share as much as I can about the history and science of our beautiful mountains and waterfalls as well as Leave No Trace principles and safety practices. Rekindling or strengthening that connection between human and nature exponentially increases my positive impact on the planet.

It has always been important to me to give back so I’m glad I found onetreeplanted.org so that my tree donations can scale along with my business. Part of the proceeds from our yoga hikes fund tree planting around the world and help offset the carbon emissions we create driving to and from the trailheads.

Local organizations are important too and I make sure to donate time, money and effort to non-profits like Friends of Dupont Forest, Dogwood Alliance and Carolina Mountain Club to name a few.

Human Health & Happiness

Below are the top five health problems in America right now according to USA Today.

1. Hypertension

More commonly known as high blood pressure, hypertension is “a common disease in which blood flows through blood vessels, or arteries, at higher than normal pressures,” according to the National Institutes of Health. Hypertension happens when the force against the artery walls is too high, which can cause a stroke or heart attack. It is associated with advanced age, obesity, smoking and stress. Hypertension is also known as the silent killer because it has no early significant symptoms but creates an extra load on the heart and blood vessels.

2. Major Depression

Major depression, which frequently goes undiagnosed or untreated, is a mental illness characterized by a constant sense of hopelessness and despair, making it difficult to work, sleep or eat. The condition affects adults, teens and children.

3. High Cholesterol

When levels of cholesterol are too high, fatty deposits can begin to build up in blood vessels and arteries, restricting blood flow. High cholesterol, which can be hereditary or from the result of unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices, can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

4. Coronary Artery Disease

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and diabetes can all damage or injure the inner layer of coronary arteries. Over time, the damage can worsen and become coronary artery disease, which puts you at a much higher risk of heart attack.

5. Type 2 Diabetes

In people with diabetes, blood sugar levels rise higher than normal. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, is caused by obesity and lack of physical activity in about 90% of cases in the U.S.

Yoga, meditation and hiking are proven to help combat these diseases and symptoms.

Health Benefits of Yoga

Yoga Reduces Stress since it is designed around slow, deep breaths and deliberate movements, both of which help to reduce stressors such as muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure. Yoga Enhances Overall Fitness: Researchers found that after eight weeks of practicing yoga at least twice a week for a total of 180 minutes, participants had greater muscle strength and endurance, flexibility and cardio-respiratory fitness.

Yoga Supports Cardiac Rehabilitation: Yoga is now being included in many cardiac rehabilitation programs due to its cardiovascular and stress-relieving benefits.

Yoga Can Boost Weight Loss & Maintenance: Researchers found that people who practiced yoga for at least 30 minutes once a week for at least four years, gained less weight during middle adulthood. People who were overweight actually lost weight. Overall, those who practiced yoga had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared with those who did not practice yoga.

Health Benefits of Hiking

Hiking helps with depression: Research shows that using hiking as an additional therapy can help people with severe depression feel less hopeless, less depressed, less suicidal and could to lead them towards a more active lifestyle. Public Health Officials in Finland now recommend that citizens get 5 hours a month, minimum, in the woods, in order to stave off depression. Negative ions found in nature can help relieve stress & boost energy. Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in natural environments like mountains and waterfalls. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.

Time spent outdoors increases personal insight & reflection: Environmental Psychologists at the University of Michigan argue that visual elements in nature like sunsets, streams, butterflies reduce stress and mental fatigue. Such stimuli promote a gentle, soft focus that allows our brains to wander, rest, and “permits a more reflective mode.” The benefit seems to carry over even after heading back indoors.

Health Benefits of Meditation

Meditation Reduces Stress: Stress reduction is one of the most common reasons people try meditation! Meditation Helps Control Anxiety: Meditation involves slow, steady breaths which help to reduce anxiety be decreasing heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones. Meditation Promotes Greater Emotional Health: Studies have shown that mindfulness meditation helps with developing resilience to depression and helps to create a more positive outlook on life.

If you want to read about 108 total health benefits, check out this past blog post.

Defining my “why” has made me more committed than ever to building the Namaste in Nature brand and business. I truly believe this is the best way I can help people and the planet. Thank you to everyone who has supported and believed in me in some way!

I’m super grateful that we’ve been nominated for a few Best of the Blue Ridge Awards! Click below to take literally a minute to vote for us and your other favorite people, places and businesses in the Southeast!