Exploring the Connections between Personal and Planetary Well-Being
Hello. My name is Astrid Jirka (Yeerka). I am a yoga instructor, sustainability educator and eco-tour guide who started my business, Vahana Yoga & Eco-Tours in 2006. My interest in yoga lies at the intersection of the connection between our personal and planetary well-being which led me to co-found a project called Yoga for the Earth.
I am currently on a yoga teaching hiatus but have offered countless yoga classes, workshops, retreats, and eco-tours, in the U.S. and overseas over the years. However, I continue to infuse my personal and work life with my yoga and environmental teachings and hope you’ll join me for the ride.
I am currently the Director of Tourism Initiatives, at a local non-profit in Ithaca, NY working within the realms of environmental education, social equity and eco-tourism, in the Cayuga Lake watershed. Come take an eco-cruise on our boat! - May, 2024
Yoga for the Earth
Reflecting on Principles and Practices for Personal and Planetary Wellness
I have been on a multi year journey exploring yoga’s connection to the natural world. The principles and practices of yoga can have the following benefits, among many others: calm our nerves, inspire us to spend more time with nature, create healthy choices for our own well-being and that of the planet, take actions to bring more social justice and consideration of the earth’s resources into our daily lives. We need the Earth and the Earth needs Us and Yoga can Help!
Follow me on Instagram or Facebook as I continue this exploration.
Note: Sadly my Vahana Yoga FB account was hacked in 2020 and I’ve never been able to access it again, except by uploading posts from my Vahana IG account!
Eco-Tours & Wellness Retreats
Learning about the world as we learn about ourselves
Spending time in a new place, with old or new friends, is an important way to broaden our perspectives of life on this planet. I have been personally transformed many times by my travels and am inspired to create similar opportunities for others. Seeing the astounding beauty of this Earth and interacting with people from other cultures, give us a moment to reflect on our own lives and places we live in new ways. Adding a contemplative practice, such as yoga, can deepen our insights and inter-connections.
Yoga Eco-Hikes
Combining interpretive hikes with mindful movement
Yoga and Fitness in the Outdoors! With a yoga mat in tow, learn a bit about the history and ecology of the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Tune your breath into the trees, give yourself a good stretch and practice exercises for renewable energy as I lead you on a walk through the Finger Lakes. This is a fantastic way to explore this iconic and unique region while achieving a bit of physical and mental fitness. Hikes can be tailored to various groups and locations. Just let me know of your needs and interests!
Discover Cayuga Lake Eco-Cruises in Ithaca, NY
Cultivating Relationships between People and the Watersheds upon which they depend
Cayuga Lake is a natural treasure in the Finger Lakes, the drinking source for 100,000+ people and the habitat of countless species of plants and animals. Discover Cayuga Lake is a non-profit organization working to raise awareness of the lake’s watershed though in-classroom and on-board programming. During the warm summer months, the MV Teal serves as a Floating Classroom for children and as a tour boat, giving locals and tourists alike a chance to relax, take in the views, and learn about the natural and cultural history of the lake. As the Director of Tourism Initiatives, I serve as a crew member on the boat, I narrate, I organize and host events, I plan and promote tourism programming with regional partners, I mentor interns and I do my best to welcome a broad audience to learn about and appreciate the natural world. I welcome you on-board! Please click below for more information and to see the cruise schedule.