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Shontelle Hannigan and Susan Lozenkovski enjoying a tree pose at Reflections Killalea Reserve
With today’s arrival of International Yoga Day, Reflections Holiday Parks is urging people to shake off the winter blues and take a stretch in the unspoiled natural environments of their parks and public recreation reserves.
Reflections Holiday Parks CEO Steve Edmonds said the group’s holiday parks were renowned for pristine natural environments with yoga an increasingly popular activity at many parks.
Popular yoga session run at Reflections Killalea Reserve by Tanya Smith from TOA Yoga Pilates
“You can see the pressures of people’s busy lives falling away as they drive into one of our parks and outdoor activities like yoga really help as a stress reliever,” Mr Edmonds said.
“Being able to switch off has always been a key reason for people to go on holiday and we’re seeing more and more people practicing outdoor yoga to take their relaxation to the next level.”
Yoga is famous for its wide-ranging benefits, from increasing strength and flexibility to improving balance and self-esteem. When it’s practiced outdoors, the benefits are even more pronounced.
“Reflections Holiday Parks Bonny Hills Manager Pip Neal said guests often enjoyed stretching and yoga sessions at their park. “We are also excited to be organising Wellness Retreats in the coming months and what better setting to focus on your health and wellbeing whilst getting back to nature than Bonny Hills.”
Shellharbour-based, TOA Yoga Pilates founder Tanya Smith said yoga is for everyone and is increasing in popularity as the stresses of busy lives take their toll on mental and physical health.
With its green rolling hills and beautiful ocean views, Reflections Killalea Reserve – an easy drive south of Sydney and minutes from Shellharbour – is the perfect backdrop for Tanya’s outdoor yoga sessions.
“At one of my sunset sessions at Killalea Reserve, locally known as the Farm, I had 320 people turn up to share a yoga practice together. It was a such a wonderful and inspiring experience,” Ms Smith said.
“With its amazing landscape and ocean backdrop, Killalea Reserve is one my favourite places to practice yoga. It is also a perfect place to relax with a coffee and around this time of year you can get treated with a birds-eye view of humpback whales as they swim by during their annual migration.”
Shontelle Hannigan from Yoga on the Move has also often practiced yoga and run inspiring sessions at Reflections Killalea Reserve. Based in Shell Cove, Shontelle travels all over the Illawarra and Sydney areas running sessions.
“Research is discovering that if you practice yoga outdoors in beautiful locations like Killalea, the mind-body health benefits are numerous,” Ms Hannigan said. “Nature is a naturally invigorating, restorative and can allow for a mental and physical reboot from our demanding, over stimulating and technology driven world.”
Other parks which make for idyllic al fresco studios include Seal Rocks on the NSW Mid Coast, Nambucca Heads, Hungry Head and Moonee Beach on the Coffs Coast, and Lennox Head on the Far North Coast.
“These parks are famous for their laidback atmosphere, natural beauty and spectacular ocean views from nearby grassy headlands,” Mr Edmonds said.
“Just find the perfect spot, roll out your mat and breathe in that fresh ocean air. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a whale or two while going through your poses.” he said.
The focus of Reflections Holiday Parks on relaxing and enjoying the outdoors is encapsulated perfectly in this short 30-second video.
To book a Reflections Holiday Park’ experience visit www.reflectionsholidayparks.com.au.