Since I've lived in Dallas, I've heard many times how beautiful Arkansas is. I was always a little skeptical about the truth of this. Before last weekend, I had only driven through Little Rock, and it isn't the most inspiring driving from Dallas to there. But, I've been on an endless search since I moved here in 2001 to find beautiful and awe-inspiring Nature. For the last few years, I would make the 3 hour trip to the hill country, just outside of Austin. And, for a long time, I thought this was the best of what the nearby Nature had to offer. Us Dallasites know Dallas is a great place, but Natural Beauty is not its selling point. We're fortunate to have great and friendly people here, as well as, a prospering economy full of abundant opportunities...

I made the spur of the moment decision to get away last weekend and am I glad I did. I found a true treasure thirty miles west of Hot Springs, Arkansas. It's called Lake Ouachita and it is gorgeous. It reminds me of the foliage found in the midwest...tall towering trees, rich and green vegitation, abundant forests and rolling foothills. It's only a five hour drive from Dallas and there is everything wonderful to experience in Nature there. It's actually surrounded by thousands and thousands of acres of National Forest and Lake Ouachita is one of the cleanest lakes in the country. There are miles and miles of incredible hiking trails, fishing, boating, on and on. We went on a beautiful guided trail ride on horseback. Amazing. Anyhow, we need Nature...there is no doubt about it. It is another way in which we commune with the Source, which is what Yoga is all about. Practicing poses and breathing deeply is one way, but Yoga was inspired by the Divinity of Nature. This picture of me is from the highest peak of the foothills of the Ozarks which surround the area. It was amazing because I created my own little Yoga retreat. I practiced Yoga in the morning on the back porch of our room overlooking the lake and watching the sunrise. In the afternoon, after our hike, we sat and meditated on a bench in the middle of the woods. I love Nature, it is the greatest reflection of the aliveness of the Divine in every moment, every breath.Read more