Yosemite, yoga and you
Yoga and Yosemite sound like a perfect combo to me.
In the past few years, more adventure companies have been mixing the two in an effort to connect people with nature. Taking small groups on day hikes or backpacking treks for the blend of inner and outer beauty remains the focus of these trips.
Y*Explore is joining the trend with three trips this summer mixing a hike through Tuolumne Meadows followed by a vinyasa flow class on a rock, said co-owner John DeGrazio.
“It’s another way for people to get out and express themselves in nature,” he said.
Balanced Rock is expanding its offerings of yoga, arts and hiking combos.
The non-profit started from women’s wilderness workshops and aims to give outdoor opportunities to people who otherwise would not go, said Arin Trook, program coordinator. To that end, the group offers women of color trips, porter options and cabin space for some experiences.
But it’s not just yoga and hiking, Trook said. They classes also mix in creative expression through art, writing or music – including a watercolor class.
And it’s not just for women any more.
“Like the rest of the yoga world it’s still hard to draw as many men in as women.”
Trook has traveled to ashrams in India and various other places in his yoga studies. The location doesn’t matter as much as the connection to nature he said. Be it India, Joshua Tree or Yosemite, it’s that mix that makes it special.
This year, Balanced Rock is adding two new experiences on different ends of the yoga spectrum. March 5-7 is a retreat at the Yosemite Bug rustic mountain resort more geared to the yoga vacation clientele. In addition to morning and afternoon classes, attendees can add day spa services or enjoy the sauna and hot tubs.
A yoga trek is a more intense yoga study in less comfy surroundings, Trook said. The treks include other aspects of what is considered yoga such as breathing practice called pranayama and kirtan, yogic music.
“It’s really expanding ideally what yoga practice is and the complexity of what yoga has to offer,” he said.
These combination trips could be very cool! Thanks for letting us know about them