17 hours ago

Yogachelan

Lynda Kennedy of Yogachelan demonstrates a "sun" pose to a group of snowshoers in Chelan, Wash.

Forget the yoga mats, bare feet and rooms heated to 95 degrees.

Think snowshoes or skis, breathable layers and "studios'' covered in white powder.

It's snowga the practice of combining the breathing techniques and postures of yoga with winter sports.

Hand stands are not recommended, says Lynda Kennedy, owner of Yogachelan, a yoga studio in eastern Washington state where winter temperatures often hover in the 20s. But there are many other traditional poses that can be adapted to the movement, with the goal of calming the mind, preparing the body for a mountain experience or simply being present with nature.

Kennedy, who also leads summer classes combining yoga with ziplining, river rafting and paddleboarding, takes groups out on snowshoes for three-hour sessions that start with mild stretching, progress to standing poses and end with a half-hour practice at her snowga "studio,'' a flat piece of land overlooking a valley and a 50-mile-long mountain lake.

Along the way they might try the "lotus'' pose, a posture that involves sitting cross-legged in the snow, or experiment with synchronized movements that call for everyone to lie on on their backs, alternating between drawing their legs together and extending them.

Kennedy packs along hot tea and extra scarves and mittens. Later in January, she plans an outing that will combine a yoga practice with a snowshoe walk and wine-tasting at a local vineyard.

Original post:
Trade yoga mats for skis and you've got... snowga