Waking up, stretching your muscles, and taking a few deep breaths while surrounded by stunning nature and the sounds of birds and flowing water. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect start to your day?
At EcoCamp, this is exactly how you can begin your day, thanks to our yoga classes. Guests can participate in daily yoga classes in our dedicated Eco Yoga Dome. Morning sessions take place at 7 AM, while evening classes at 6 or 7 PM help you unwind after a day of adventures. We also offer specialized sessions during the day.
For the 2024-2025 season, our yoga instructors Javiera, Eric, and Jocelyn bring their passion and expertise to EcoCamp. Having trained in Chile and abroad, they share their love for yoga with every guest. In an interview, they are happy to talk about their passion.
To start, what exactly is yoga?
Eric: “Yoga means many things, but to me, it’s about unity—a connection between body, mind, and soul. It also creates space for self-reflection, helping you make decisions with clarity.”
Javiera: “In addition to what Eric mentioned, yoga makes you aware of your breathing, your state of being, and your surroundings.”
Jocelyn: “Broadly speaking, yoga can be approached differently in the East and West. For me, it’s a philosophy, a lifestyle, and a routine that fosters wellness. Yoga can also help you in your journey to self-discovery.”
Javiera: “There are many forms of yoga. Some focus on physical poses, asanas, while others delve into energy or meditation. At EcoCamp, the morning classes emphasize poses, mostly standing postures, to activate the body. In the evening classes, we do more stretching and meditation to restore the body after a day of activities. Every class ends with a few minutes of sound healing."
Interesting! And if I have never tried a yoga pose or done meditation before, can I still participate in the classes at EcoCamp?
Eric, Jocelyn, and Javiera: “Absolutely! Yoga is for everyone—no matter your age, gender, or experience. Even if you’re in a wheelchair or expecting a baby, you’re welcome. Many guests try yoga for the first time here, while others have practiced for years at home.”
How do you customize the classes so that both beginners and advanced practitioners feel comfortable?
Eric: “At the beginning of the class, I briefly analyze the guests to determine how I shape the class so that everyone feels good.”
Jocelyn: “We often provide variations of each pose, with simpler options for beginners and more challenging ones for seasoned yogis. Guests choose what suits them best. We also provide props like straps, blocks, and cushions to modify poses as needed.”
It is said that yoga is healthy. What effects can yoga have on your health?
Javiera: “To me, a healthy body is one that is strong, but at the same time flexible. Yoga strengthens both aspects. Additionally, it deepens your understanding of your body and fosters a more positive mental state."
Jocelyn: “Yes, the health benefits manifest themselves in multiple ways, in your metabolism, your breathing, your nervous system... In the short term, practicing yoga will probably make you feel better physically. In the long term, it can make you deepen your internal processes, and you'll encounter even more layers.”
Eric: “I think yoga also has different positive effects for everyone personally. Yoga is a routine, it is something that always goes with me wherever I am. My mat is kind of my home.”
Javiera: “Here at EcoCamp where guests hike during the day, yoga can be beneficial both before and after activities. The morning class gets your body and muscles activated, gets your blood flowing well, and that can help prevent injuries. In turn, the evening yoga class is good for stretching after a day of trekking. We often ask guests about their activities. If they mention hiking up to Base Torres, for example, we focus more on leg stretches."
Speaking of the effects of yoga, how does the nature you are surrounded with here have an impact on the classes?
Eric and Jocelyn: “The beautiful environment plays an integral role in our classes. One aspect of yoga is also, as mentioned earlier, to be aware of where you are. In the classes, we also connect with our surroundings by indicating, for example, that you can focus your mind on the birds you hear, the mountains you see around you, and that you can listen to the wind or the rain."
Javiera: “For instance, you can hear the gentle flow of the nearby river. Javier, one of EcoCamp's founders who is an engineer but also enjoys yoga, directed the water from the nearby river past the yoga dome so that the rippling water could be used in the yoga experience.”
Do you ever hold yoga classes outdoors?
Eric: “Yes! When the weather is sunny and calm, we sometimes hold sessions on the terrace. We also have a contemplative trail behind the domes in nature, with peaceful spots for meditation and relaxation.”
Sounds good! What gives you personal satisfaction in this job?
Jocelyn: “I enjoy showing what yoga is all about, and I also see the classes as a space for encounters. Being able to connect with guests, feel the unity, and get into a different state of consciousness, I get a lot out of that.”
Javiera: “Teaching in such a beautiful place is amazing. It’s also very satisfying when guests try yoga for the first time, thank us afterward, and return the next day. Hearing ‘See you tomorrow’ always makes us smile.”
Eric: “Yes, you also often see a change in the participants between the beginning and the end of the lesson, that there is a change in their expression, that they smile. They also give us feedback, which is nice.”
Jocelyn: “If you’re visiting EcoCamp soon, I encourage you to join a yoga session. Enjoy this beautiful setting before or after a day of hiking and use our classes as a space for well-being, where you can connect with your body and mind, where you will feel silence and gratitude.”
Interested in trying a yoga session at EcoCamp? Explore our programs, book your stay, and give it a try. Namasté!
