I started getting into hiking last year, mostly because I’d been living in Los Angeles for 8 years and it seemed like the only places I hadn’t been to were the hiking trails around the city. So I started checking the trails off my list, one by one. Hiking is such a great way to get outside for a few hours and enjoy the scenery. I had so much fun catching up with friends while simultaneously getting a workout in. Bonus benefits include dog sightings & cool nature photos!

I’ve been able to take my hiking experience with me, and found that it’s a great way to explore areas outside of LA as well. I’ve found that the Bay Area has so many beautiful nature hikes – Hello, redwoods!

When I noticed that some soreness usually kicked in the next day, I realized that yoga is a great after-hike practice. It’s very easy to do a few stretches after being on the trails, and I’ve found that Let It Go Yoga has been a great help on non-hiking days. The ability to focus on poses that open my hips and chest is crucial to the recovery process, and also makes me stronger when I’m on the trails! Plus, the mind-body connection is so beneficial with any activity. When I practiced bouldering, dance, and kickboxing, I always had yoga to accompany the practice.

This past weekend, I completed my first “hard” hiking trail, according to the difficulty level on the AllTrails app. There were definitely thoughts of turning back early, but it was so worth it to reach the peak and enjoy the view. When reading reviews of a trail online, remember that “steep” really means incredibly, impressively, unbelievably steep. Now I know to trust the reviews!

I’m already planning my next excursion, because I have so many more places to explore. I do think I’ll try a little less of an intense hike after last weekend. No matter what trail I try next, it’s been super beneficial to have Let It Go Yoga in my back pocket for the next day.

Do you have a favorite hiking spot? Let me know in the comments!

Written by Emily Parsons, Certified Let It Go Yoga teacher.

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