Meet Gary Gorrow: performance coach, mindfulness expert, vedic meditation teacher and creator/director of the world renowned SOMA wellness retreat in Byron Bay, NSW. As we all search for greater balance in this modern life, Gary shares his thoughts and some simple techniques for cultivating a more grounded and harmonious mindset.

Was there a particular moment or reckoning in your life that instigated your interest in meditation and yoga?

There was a natural progression towards yoga for me, like many people I was drawn to the physical challenge as well as the benefits yoga presented. However I was doing very little to develop my mind and consciousness. I went through a very stressful experience when I was about 21 and I realised that I needed to learn to meditate so I could tame my monkey mind, develop my nervous system and neutralise the stress I was drowning in.

How has your perspective on life shifted since you started your practice?

Meditation was a total game changer for me. I came to the practice as a way to dissolve the stress and tension I was holding in my system. It managed to do that rather quickly, but the benefits extended so far beyond that. It gave rise to a whole different level of mind and helped to engineer higher a state of awareness.

When you do feel the most grounded, in both mind and body?

The things that light me up the most is surfing. I feel most alive when I am in the ocean riding waves. Beyond that I would say I gain tremendous energy and inspiration when I'm teaching and spending time with you dearest friends. I try to activate my body with some exercise and movement. Breathwork can be powerful in this regard, there are a number of different methods to upregulate and activate the physical systems of the body. In general quality sleep, consistent physical exercise and movement, a positive attitude and regualr yoga, meditation and breathwork are the best means for me to stay in peak form and flow.

Meet Gary Gorrow: performance coach, mindfulness expert, vedic meditation teacher and creator/director of the world renowned SOMA wellness retreat in Byron Bay, NSW. As we all search for greater balance in this modern life, Gary shares his thoughts and some simple techniques for cultivating a more grounded and harmonious mindset.

• Was there a particular moment or reckoning in your life that instigated your interest in meditation and yoga?

  There was a natural progression towards yoga for me, like many people I was drawn to the physical challenge as well as the benefits yoga presented. However I was doing very little to develop my mind and consciousness. I went through a very stressful experience when I was about 21 and I realised that I needed to learn to meditate so I could tame my monkey mind, develop my nervous system and neutralise the stress I was drowning in.

•  

How has your perspective on life shifted since you started your practice?

Meditation was a total game changer for me. I came to the practice as a way to dissolve the stress and tension I was holding in my system. It managed to do that rather quickly, but the benefits extended so far beyond that. It gave rise to a whole different level of mind and helped to engineer higher a state of awareness.

What do you like most about Soma?

Soma is a really magical property, there are many features that people love, such as the house or the dome. For me the hero is the forest. It's hard to translate why. All our guests seem to say similar things, the property has some magic to it. The land is alive. We have thousands of botanical species here, koalas, vast varieties of bamboo, the forest is full of wonders and there is a very profound feeling one gets by walking through it all. Nature deficiency syndrome is a real thing. Humans were intended to live in alignment with nature's rhythms and energies but the development of our modern civilisation along with its remarkable advancements has also impacted our nervous systems in ways we don't fully appreciate. Stress and dysregulation is a real thing. Nature is a powerful healer as are the technologies of yoga, meditation and breathwork.

If you're not there, where do you like to be? 

I would be on the beach in the sunshine.

You're off to a retreat - what do you pack?

I try to take nothing but the bare essentials. Strip everything back, travel light and free. Learn to let go of your normal self and mode of operating and take it as it comes.

What does 'escape' mean to you? 

It means to move away from routine and repetition, to open the doorway to something enriching.

What do you like most about Soma?

Soma is a really magical property, there are many features that people love, such as the house or the dome. For me the hero is the forest. It's hard to translate why. All our guests seem to say similar things, the property has some magic to it. The land is alive. We have thousands of botanical species here, koalas, vast varieties of bamboo, the forest is full of wonders and there is a very profound feeling one gets by walking through it all. Nature deficiency syndrome is a real thing. Humans were intended to live in alignment with nature's rhythms and energies but the development of our modern civilisation along with its remarkable advancements has also impacted our nervous systems in ways we don't fully appreciate. Stress and dysregulation is a real thing. Nature is a powerful healer as are the technologies of yoga, meditation and breathwork.

If you're not there, where do you like to be? 

I would be on the beach in the sunshine.

You're off to a retreat - what do you pack?

I try to take nothing but the bare essentials. Strip everything back, travel light and free. Learn to let go of your normal self and mode of operating and take it as it comes.

What does 'escape' mean to you? 

It means to move away from routine and repetition, to open the doorway to something enriching.

Follow Gary Gorrow and Soma Byron on Instagram.

What do you like most about Soma?

Soma is a really magical property, there are many features that people love, such as the house or the dome. For me the hero is the forest. It's hard to translate why. All our guests seem to say similar things, the property has some magic to it. The land is alive. We have thousands of botanical species here, koalas, vast varieties of bamboo, the forest is full of wonders and there is a very profound feeling one gets by walking through it all. Nature deficiency syndrome is a real thing. Humans were intended to live in alignment with nature's rhythms and energies but the development of our modern civilisation along with its remarkable advancements has also impacted our nervous systems in ways we don't fully appreciate. Stress and dysregulation is a real thing. Nature is a powerful healer as are the technologies of yoga, meditation and breathwork.

If you're not there, where do you like to be? 

I would be on the beach in the sunshine.

You're off to a retreat - what do you pack?

I try to take nothing but the bare essentials. Strip everything back, travel light and free. Learn to let go of your normal self and mode of operating and take it as it comes.

What does 'escape' mean to you? 

It means to move away from routine and repetition, to open the doorway to something enriching.