Lake Oswego resident Carrie Asby believes the interlocking power of mindfulness and nature can help humans feel more at peace.
In turn, Asby is facilitating safaris in South Africa, as well as a trip to Wyoming, in the coming years centered around meditation, engaging with the natural environment and seeing species like lions, elephants and leopards.
Further, the South Africa trip, at the Phinda Private Game Reserve in 2024, will include removing the horns from rhinos to make them less attractive to poachers and, hopefully, save them from being killed. In 2021, 451 rhinos were killed by poaching in South Africa according to Savetherhino.org. The horns grow back over time.
Asby began meditating around 20 years ago. It served as a refuge during a difficult time in her life marred by partying and toxic relationships. At one point her purse was stolen and she had $5 to her name. She attended a free yoga studio and that helped her reorient. Eventually, she began teaching at a studio in New York City.
"It turned my life around. That's why I started teaching. I know without a doubt it helps people enhance their lives and makes their lives better," she said.
Asby thought of the idea for the ecotherapy-based safari while volunteering at the reserve in South Africa. There, she learned of the practice of forest bathing, which involves connecting with the forest as a form of healing. Asby said that modern society puts people constantly into fight-or-flight mode and that nature is a way to get a reprieve from that.
"We are always living in intensity and we don't know how to counter that. The best way to get into a negative ion (which are typically in abundance in nature and are said to improve mental stability and clarity) and a lower wavelength is to get into nature," she said.
Asby said that conservation efforts are low on funding and that guests paying money to perform dehorning is a way to help them save a species that is considered to be critically endangered. The reserve is 66,000 acres and includes 436 bird species, as well as the aforementioned large mammals.
"They're going to be dehorning rhinos even if guests are not paying for it, but right now they don't have the money. So it's really important for guests to come down to help fund the cause," she said.
The trips also will include meeting with healers and vendors in the local community, learning the philosophies of yoga and staying in luxury resorts.
Asby's goal is for these retreats to help change people's perspectives and, in turn, work toward saving the planet.
"I know it's going to change people in a really good way," she said. "My overarching goal is to help this planet. We're disconnected from the Earth and that's harming us. Having the connection with the Earth is going to help."
For more information, visit https://www.natureheartsafari.com/. Asby also offers private yoga lessons. For more information on that, visit https://www.carrieasby.com/yoga.
You count on us to stay informed and we depend on you to fund our efforts. Quality local journalism takes time and money. Please support us to protect the future of community journalism.
Have a thought or opinion on the news of the day? Get on your soapbox and share your opinions with the world. Send us a Letter to the Editor!
Portland Tribune
Beaverton Valley Times
Tigard Tualatin Times
Lake Oswego Review
West Linn Tidings
Wilsonville Spokesman
Hillsboro Tribune
Forest Grove News Times
Newberg Graphic
Clackamas Review
Oregon City News
The Outlook
Sandy Post
Estacada News
Canby Herald
Woodburn Independent
Molalla Pioneer
Columbia County Spotlight
Regal Courier
Sherwood Gazette
The Bee
Southwest Community Connection
Madras Pioneer
Central Oregonian
Submit an Obituary
Columns
Public Notices
Oregon Property Foreclosures
Business Calendar
Business Leads
News Links
Plan Center
Marketing
Columns
Public Notices
Oregon Property Foreclosures
Business Calendar
Business Leads
News Links
Plan Center
Marketing
Printing and Distribution Services
Public Notices
Digital Marketing Solutions
Submit an Obituary
Columns
Public Notices
Oregon Property Foreclosures
Business Calendar
Business Leads
News Links
Plan Center
Marketing
Columns
Public Notices
Oregon Property Foreclosures
Business Calendar
Business Leads
News Links
Plan Center
Marketing
Printing and Distribution Services
Public Notices
Digital Marketing Solutions
Weekly Ads
This Week’s Circulars
Find your Next Vehicle
Special Sections
Insiders
News Tips
Letters to the Editor
Births | Anniversaries | Weddings | Engagements | Business | Birthday | Obituaries
Community Calendar
Weekly Ads
This Week’s Circulars
Find your Next Vehicle
Special Sections
Insiders
News Tips
Letters to the Editor
Births | Anniversaries | Weddings | Engagements | Business | Birthday | Obituaries
Community Calendar
Click Here
Advertise with Us
Current Job Openings
© 2022 Pamplin Media Group | All rights reserved | 6605 SE Lake Rd, Portland, OR 97222 | 503-684-0360 | Privacy Policy | Refund Policy