Nature Unplugged : Sebastian Slovin

Sebastian is donating a private standup paddleboard session at our Buddhi Fundraiser on March 10th.

Get to know him a little…he’s pretty awesome.

Are you doing what you love for a living and what did you have to do to make it happen?

Yes, I am absolutely doing what I love for a living.  I think the simple answer to this question is that I’ve always really tried to follow my heart.  I’ve been fortunate in the sense that anytime I got off track, it wouldn’t be long until my intuition or body or something would give me a wakeup call and help get me back on.  It can definitely be tricky when you venture off the beaten path, but when you’re pursuing something you love with enthusiasm, life has a wonderful way of helping things fall into place.

Why do you think it’s so important to connect with nature?

I believe it’s absolutely critical for us to connect with nature.  I could go on and on about this one, but for me personally, connecting with nature is like a big reality check.  Any time things get a bit too heavy or serious, getting out into nature reminds me of what a miracle it is just to be alive.  It gives me a solid foundation to go about my day-to-day business.  It doesn’t have to be a big excursion out into the wilderness either, just a few minutes will do. It’s amazing what a walk around the park can do for your day!

While sitting or being still in nature is incredibly beneficial, another great thing about getting out and mixing it up in nature is that it can be a wonderful way to get exercise.  Whether you are hiking, surfing or swimming, it is so incredibly healing to move in the outdoors.

How has your yoga practice changed throughout the years and has it helped you get to where you are today?

My yoga practice has changed quite a bit over the years and it has been critical in getting me to where I am today.  During my earlier years of yoga I had a much more intense physical practice, which was really important for me at the time. More recently I have focused that intense physical activity toward surfing and other outdoor activities and because of this my yoga practice has become more subtle and is focused more on alignment and posture. Now, my practice varies from more of a yin style to vigorous sessions depending on the day and how I’m feeling.  I look at my yoga practice as the way to get me to be the very best I can possibly be in all aspects of life.

What do you hope to do with nature unplugged in the next five years?

Over the next five years I will be creating Nature Unplugged into more of a movement to inspire people so they can lead happier and healthier lives through reconnecting with nature and overall wellness.  I will be focusing on working with various schools, businesses, and other organizations to incorporate outdoor activities into their programs.  I am also working on a series of children’s books to promote adventure and connecting with nature, which will go right along with the philosophy of Nature Unplugged.

Can you give us some tips on things to do to help us live more fulfilling lives?

Here are a few little daily tips which help me live life to the fullest:

• Take time every day to connect with nature. It doesn’t need to take long, even if it’s just noticing a flower or listening to the birds as you walk to work.
• Take a moment everyday to appreciate how amazing it is to be alive.
• Take time everyday to breathe deeply.
• Take time everyday to Move and enjoy your body

Nature Unplugged came about as a way to inspire people of all ages to spend more time in nature.  It’s a reminder of how important it is to take time to disconnect or “unplug” from the computer, television, video games and phone, and to instead connect with our natural environment.  This heps promote happier, healthier and more balanced living.

We do this by guiding our students in bringing awareness to themselves and to their natural surroundings through a combination of activities including: hiking, swimming, surfing, stand up paddling, snorkeling, and yoga. By combining mindfulness with movement, the activity becomes a moving meditation and we benefit physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Each Nature Unplugged session is much more than a “how to” lesson. These are guided adventures allow students to experience the richness of our natural world.  You will not only participate in their chosen activity in nature, but you will also learn about the local geography of your community as well as the diversity of local flora and fauna. We aim to show peoplehow amazing and diverse our natural resources are!

To schedule a session with Sebastian, email him at sebslovin@gmail.com