ABOUT US
THE GUIDE
Augusto Nogueira, environmental conductor with 15 years of experience on several trails in Brazil, and my places of work were Chapada Diamantina (2003-today) and Florianópolis/Ilha de SC (2014-today) where I currently live. Formed by the IFSC (Environmental Conductor on the Island of SC) and registered by FLORAM - Florianópolis City Hall. I was born in Salvador in 1968 and my mission in this life is to lead people in nature. I started by guiding tourists, but soon I noticed that nature should be enjoyed by everyone and so whenever I can I take groups of students, seniors, locals and everyone who wants to enjoy the healing power of a nature trail.
I've been a surfer since 1982 and a nature lover since forever. Connoisseur of fauna and flora. Gardener specialist in flowers, trees and medicinal plants. I've worked with other things, but today I'm an environmental driver - the work I love, my mission in this life. I work with trails since 2003, when I left the city life and the bank job, and went to live in Vale do Capão - Chapada Diamantina - Bahia. In this incredible place I learned my job as a driver. There I worked with dedication, love and professionalism for almost 11 years, guiding people from all over the world - Europeans, Americans, Asians, Africans, Australians, Brazilians of all the states and brothers of South America. A lot of learning, which never ends, always with humility and perseverance.
At the beginning of 2014, we decided to broaden our horizons and came to live in Floripa. Sailing is necessary! I took an Environmental Conductor course at IFSC which opened some horizons. I learned, and continue to learn, a lot about nature and the world, both in practice and in books and courses. Learning is endless. Botany, geography, cultures, history, anatomy, stories, arts, photography, languages, music,... I am interested in life in all its shapes and colors.
This is work that I do with love and dedication. That makes all the difference. I hope we can walk together in the nature of this blessed island - Santa Catarina Island. Or who knows... on the countless and exuberant trails of Chapada Diamantina National Park - BA, where I usually spend the summer season, and sometimes winter too, an excellent time to hike.
THE CHI KUNG and MEDITATION
Chi Kung arrived at a very special time. I had my first lessons in 2002 with a Franco-Cambodian master. Chinese technique with more than 4000 years, but always very current. It works the body, mind, breath and focus on energy - chi. It uses smooth, simple and effective movements, always done with full awareness. A practice that, despite being ancient, is always evolving. Nothing is fixed, everything is transformed... a matter of attention and creativity. All movements are performed according to our limits, seeking to evolve gradually. In this way... we learn about ourselves and evolve on this incredible journey - life - and in this fantastic place - Earth. An excellent tool for self-knowledge of body energy.
I know very little about the Chi Kung Universe but I know my practice well and I dive deep. My sincere goal is to share this wonderful instrument with everyone who is interested. It just depends on your willingness and commitment to learning. We can practice in the middle of our trails, in the middle of nature, an ideal place. A plateau in front of the ocean, a waterfall, a beach, the edge of a lagoon - places full of chi - vital energy - fundamental element of Chi Kung.
Another excellent tool to practice in nature is meditation. A tool for life, a tool to make us more connected with our own nature, and thus facilitate the connection with nature outside. Meditation is learning to turn inward, to be silent, to observe the breath, to connect with the great universal source of energy - the Whole. This, of course, for those who are interested. At the very least, the act of meditating will make us more attentive and prone to a more productive life in the noblest sense of the word.