Yoga in Nature - A yogis traveling guide to Norwegian nature

There is something very special to be able to bathe in the energy of the wild nature, to have the abundance all around you when waking up in the midst of it all, to feel the sun kiss your skin, the winds gentle touch, the feeling of life when the rain drops meet your face, the fresh air entering your lungs with every breath you take.

How fortunate we are to have this immense beauty of nature around us, we have to learn to be more mindful, to nourish and preserve this gift that we have been given. We have to stop taking it for granted and start taking actions to let nature thrive. The healing power of nature can be noticed even more when bringing your yoga practice away from the city, away from the human made infrastructures and into the untouched nature. 

“Nature is not a place to visit, it is home”

  

An important part of our retreats not only in Norway but in Nepal and everywhere else is to offer exactly this. Untouched nature and time away from screens. Get outside! Bathe yourself in the nature, the home where we were meant to life our lives. If you are traveling Norway on your own with your yoga mat and are looking for nice places to practice, here are some tips. Norway dont have to be as expensive to travel in as most people think, if you just embrace the wild nature and be creative in your journey.

A yogis traveling guide to Norwegian nature

Norway is a country known for its breathtaking natural landscapes, from majestic fjords to stunning waterfalls. About 37% of Norway's total land area is covered by forests. These forests are not only beautiful to look at but also play a crucial role in the country's ecosystem. The country is home to more than 1000 waterfalls and 47 national parks, each offering a unique experience for nature enthusiasts. These parks are carefully preserved to protect the country's natural heritage and biodiversity. Exploring Norwegian nature is a truly magical experience that allows you to connect with the raw and untouched beauty of the natural world. Whether you're hiking through forests, cruising along fjords, or chasing waterfalls, Norway offers a diverse range of landscapes that will leave you in awe.Take your mat outside and sit with vast forests, crystal-clear lakes, and majestic mountains, you can truly disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature. 

The beauty of 'allemannsretten'

This unique law, known as "allemannsretten," grants everyone the right to roam freely in nature, regardless of land ownership. The Right of Public Access allows individuals to enjoy nature and outdoor activities on both public and private land. This means you can hike, camp and forage in the wilderness without needing permission from the landowner. However, there are certain rules and responsibilities that come with this freedom. You can only camp for up to two nights in the same location, and you should be at least 150 meters away from the nearest inhabited house.

   

This law promotes a strong connection to nature and encourages outdoor recreation. It allows people to experience the beauty of the natural world freely, as well as it fosters a sense of environmental stewardship and conservation among the population. It truly is a unique legal framework that promotes outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, and a deep appreciation for nature. It also is enabling you to put up your tent in the wild nature, so even if you are on a low budget, bring your tent and camp cooker and you can travel Norway on a low budget. There is no place better to be to connect to nature then wild camping, truly immersing yourself into the untouched nature.

Traveling on a budget

So now you know that you have free access to the nature, which enables you to spend no money at all for your accommodation. Food is another aspect important for a traveling yogi, and as you might have heard, it is costly in Norway. But if you cook all your own meals, you can make really healthy meals to a very low cost. In most supermarkets you will find 'old' fruit and veg at a reduced price. Most of the time it is still very good, it is just not as perfectly looking as the other veggies and will therefore not be chosen. Dry legumes is also available at low price if you go to smaller asian shops, as well as most supermarkets/bakeries sell the morning baked goods at a low price in the evening. The forests of Norway is also full of amazing wild herbs, so you can in theory go an pick your own free salad from the surrounding nature as well as some mushrooms to fry up. But there is many very poisonous herbs and mushrooms so it is super essential that you have the knowledge about foraging in Norway before attempting this. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of never eating/touching wild herbs/mushrooms you dont know.

Even though the public transportation in not the best due to the vast land and little people, it is possible to travel most places with bus/train and with the help of your legs it will take you a long way. So consider using public transportation instead of renting a car. You can also look into discount cards or passes for tourists that offer savings on transportation costs. If you want to experience other aspects then the nature there is also many museums and cultural sites that offer free admission on certain days, so be sure to check their schedules.

If you are looking to join a retreat, we also offer a 'low budget' option of sleeping in a hammock in all our yoga retreats, as well as we give an additional 10% discount on this option for students.

Joining yoga classes and retreats in Norway

Yoga is becoming increasingly popular, and you will find retreats close to nature all around the country now. There is yoga studios that offer drop in classes in most towns, many of them with a beautiful view to the Norwegian nature. If you let them know in advance that you would like to join a class but you dont speak Norwegian I am sure most places will be able to hold the class in English instead.

Yoga retreats at Hagabrekka Wanderland

I will off course start with mentioning our place 😄 But there is so many yoga spaces around in Norway, not to mention the beautiful landscapes that is the best yoga shala itself.

How to describe our place? Hagabrekka is our yoga retreat center in Norway, yes. But this is only one part of it. Hagabrekka is our place of dreams, it is our home, it is a place for people to connect to each other and to connect to nature. It is a home for all people that feel they don’t know where they belong. It also a space for everyone to immerse themselves back into nature, our natural place of existence. It’s a place to learn, to share, to fail and get back up, a place where it is allowed to be whatever, feel whatever and to be whoever you are. A place that doesn’t judge or point a finger, instead a place where weirdness and uniqueness is celebrated and loved. Hagabrekka is more than words can describe, our dream for years and a reality that is ever changing with the input and feeling of all the people visiting our land. More than anything, it is love, prana, the lifeforce, mother nature, a feeling that is created by what everyone that is there is putting into the place. We are fortunate to call it our home, but it truly is all of yours! The space, the magic, the bliss, the laughter, the smiles, the tears, the new connections and experiences are all created by all of you that has come our way.

     

Our little retreat center is created for everyone to be able to visit, so if you are in a financial challenging situation, write us a message and we will work something out. For the ones that want to jump into the world of sustainability and commit for a longer time, implement changes and new knowledge into daily life, we have our learning program, free of charge, see HERE to know more.

For the ones that are considering to join a retreat this is what you can expect; you are completely off grid, living outside, surrounded by mountains, forest,rivers for cold swims and beautiful waterfalls just around the corner. This truly is nature paradise, you will have the opportunity to practice yoga in a peaceful atmosphere, with an individual focus. Join different hikes and nature activities each day or relax in a hammock if you prefer. Here you have the opportunity to reconnect with yourself, create new connections and explore the nature surrounding us. New friendships, healthy mouth-watering meals, hiking, nature experiences and the opportunity to disconnect from the screen are some of the things you can expect at Hagabrekka Wanderland. We are all a family during the retreat, sharing meals, positive vibes, lots of laughter and magical moments in nature. This space is all yours, time to listen to what your mind and body need. Time to feel, to be present, to breath, to indulge in flavors, experiences, and time to rest. With a maximum of 10 guests, you have the opportunity to get to know the other participants and receive individual adjustments in the yoga classes.

To see upcoming retreats at our off grid center in Norway look HERE.

Other yoga centers around Norway

There is to many places in Norway to mention them all here, but I will mention a couple of places, but remember to ask locally wherever you are, I am sure people will be happy to help and give suggestions on where to go.

Pille Mitt runs retreats is beautiful Molde all summertime, and she is also one of our partners for retreats in Nepal. Pille is a yoga teacher, a personal and a group fitness trainer, a nutritionist, and a lifestyle coach. For more information about her retreats, classes and to contact her you can see her webpage HERE.

In the stunning coastal town of Sandefjord you find a beautiful, serene yoga studio called Mynte. This is run by Elisabeth Sørum, an experienced yoga teacher and nutritionist which offer many drop in classes, workshops and events. See her upcoming events HERE.

Dharma Mountains is a meditation center close to nature in Hedalen, they say: 'Dharma Mountain is built around the modern mystic Vasant Swaha. He teaches us about the joy of living, meditation, and love for ourselves, each other and nature.' For more information, HERE.

Nøsen yoga is a big, beautiful hotel and retreat center located in the mesmerizing mountains in Valdres. They offer retreats all year long as well as hosting the yearly Norwegian yoga festival. For more information see HERE.

But remember, all the nature of Norway is inviting you to roll out your yoga mat wherever you feel inspired to. 

Wherever you are in the world, wherever you travel, bring your yoga mat and yourself outside!

Next time you roll out your mat, consider taking your practice outside and immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. You may find that the combination of yoga and the great outdoors is just what you need to enhance your well-being and deepen your practice, to feel more grounded.

And if you are ever in Telemark, dont hesitate to stop by and say hi to us at Hagabrekka Wanderland.

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