Yoga North to South

On August 26th I started a bicycling expedition/pilgrimage/tour from Haines Junction in the Yukon through the Americas to the tip of South America. The finish will be in Ushuaia, the southern most city in the world. Total distance is approximately 25,000 kilometers. It will take about one and a half years to complete the journey.

The Yukon
The Yukon

The main theme will be “Yoga North to South”. I am also hoping part can be a documentary about the trip, the people, the landscapes (urban and rural), the wildlife, the environmental issues, the outward and the inward journey. I will also be posting photos and videos on the website.

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This journey will also be a fund raiser – a number of potential benefactors are being explored. Both my parents died prematurely from cancer and so I am definitely looking at ways to raise funding for organizations such as Hopespring Cancer Support Centre. I also see this as an opportunity to raise peoples’ consciousness about the benefits of cycling, yoga, good diet and living simply.

I am going solo, although I already have one person who wants to join me for part of the journey from the Yukon to Mexico and several friends will be joining me along the way. So far Costa Rica, Peru and Argentina.

Cerro Castillo
Cerro Castillo

I hope to visit many yoga centers on the trip – teach and especially spread my views of yoga as an opportunity to become more aware in every area of our lives, to live life fully (hopefully this journey will be an example of that), exchange views, make a little money, perhaps have a warm bed indoors, etc. I hope to become a sutra or thread that ties yogis together. A new paradigm is emerging in the world based on personal freedom and not tied to any ideology or dogma/doctrine. It is my sincere hope that I will be a representative of this world view; or perhaps one could say non-view. I intend to write about the state of yoga in the Americas from this perspective.

I intend to write articles for yoga and bicycling magazines and maybe a book will emerge out of all of this as well.  I hope this will be an inspiration, especially to older people to follow their dreams.

Futaleufu

March 15  I had a memorable dining experience today in Travelin. I had seen a bistro as I was wandering around town and dropped in in the afternoon to check it out. I was warmly received and decided to return for dinner. Well the dinner was outstanding. I started with soup with tons of vegetables, which I was craving. Then the trout came with a home made chutney,consisting of apple, elderberry and some sharp flavors. It really enhanced the fish without overpowering it. However the most memorable aspect to the evening was engaging in good conversation with the server Oma and the chef Paula. They were very warm and creative and found ways to explain words to me by writing themdown. Oma is from Brazil and must be a teacher because she was very patient in teaching me the meaning of some of the Spanish words.

My first impressions of Trevelin, which were not altogether positive were magically transformed as I discovered there is a lot happening in the local music scene, definitely some good food and great company.

March16  Today was the first time since I left home that the ride was easier than expected.  There was no pass between Argentina and Chile, just a long dusty road along the river with a few small hills.  At one point I could see a glacier in the distance.

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I’m now settling down for the night in Futaleufu, nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains.