I discovered the power of peaks and snow three years ago, on my first season in the French Alps. I learnt to snowboard and also, how to use yoga to put my body back together again.
I fell in love with the mountain energy and it's ability to make me feel more grounded, as well as the huge perspective shifts it offers. As someone who shivers at just the thought of cold water, it just makes so much sense to split my year in this way and bring yoga to a community of snow lovers, who physically challenge themselves every day. Plus, the issues affecting our alpine environments are something I would like to learn about first hand.
This winter I'm stationed in the picturesque town of Morzine to get my fix of powder. I'll be running snow specific yoga with a variation of yin and yang classes and workshops, for holidaymakers and locals alike.
classes in morzine
Stay tuned for pop up classes combining YIN - helping relax, restore, reduce injuries, wind down and explore mindfulness and YANG - perfect to strengthen legs and core and create flexibility, tone, awareness and control. With the power of balance - actively resting as well as simulating dynamic movement for the slopes - watch how your riding capacity increases and technical prowess improves!
Contact me for more details or to join the mailing list.
chalet yoga
If, you work for a chalet company and would like to source a yoga instructor for your guests, then look no further! I am set up in the French system, fully insured and fully qualified, with 8 years teaching experience. I offer private & group classes, with prices starting at €30. My days and times are flexible. I have equipment and can come direct to your chalet providing it is in the Moraine area.
Feel free to drop me a line to discuss your requirements.
seasonaire yoga
Have a group of people keen for some yoga and a space to use? Then I can come to you and provide an intro to "yoga for the slopes" as well as mediation or pranayama. We want to look after our bodies during the winter months; the stress and strain of working, riding and most likely partying will take its toll, so self care is most definitely needed. As a seasonaire myself, I also know that money is tight, so am happy to offer discounted rates. Get in touch and we can talk more.
SNOW RETREATS
Standard snow holidays tend to centre around adrenalin fuelled slope action, with plenty of heavy, rich food, boozy “apres ski” and late nights that can leave us wired, broken and fuzzy. On a snow retreat, we spend time utilising body awareness through our yoga practice to strengthen, stretch and minimise injuries, adding healthy food to nourish and meditation for a clear mind. We believe in harnessing the mountain prana, the energy of this region, allowing it invigorate our body, mind and spirit and sending us home feeling fuelled and enlivened.
We see yoga as a pathway to more awareness, acceptance and a deeper experience of "what is". It is essentially tapping into the power of the heart, to reach the energy of creation that connects us all. Snow retreats are about cultivating balance and equanimity by combining both Yin and Yang yoga; watch how your ability to enjoy the mountain improves with every yoga session.
DATES COMINGS SOON!
There’s never been a greater need to
protect our winters
I’m proud to support Protect Our Winters and be part of the team that brought you: POW Lines for Winter in 2019. Stay tuned to hear what we’ll be doing in 2020, until then here’s some guidelines for getting involved…
There is so much information out there, it’s tough to know what to do, much less know that you’re actually making a difference. We’ll make it super-easy for you. We’ve consolidated the best and most effective actions into one short list. Try the POW SEVEN once a month (or as often as you can) and you’ll make a difference.
1. GET POLITICAL
We’re starting off with the toughest one, but arguably the most effective. Find out where your elected officials and election candidates stand on climate issues. Contact them. Ask them to take action on climate change and tell them they will lose your vote if they don’t have a climate action plan. Don’t vote for candidates that oppose action. Nature can’t vote but we can all vote for her.
2. EDUCATE YOURSELF
Read as much as you can. Start here: Climate 101 by the Climate Reality Project, including a short video introduction by Bill Nye the Science Guy. To go deeper, check out NASA’s global climate change facts. To stay up to date, read sites like www.theguardian.com/uk/environment and www.grist.org regularly. Then talk to people about what you are learning.
3. FIND YOUR BIGGEST LEVER
Each of us has unique power in some way. But it’s not always obvious. Think about how you can have the most impact on addressing climate change. Can you join your town council and get your town to embrace renewable energy? Are you a teacher or a journalist? Add climate science to the curriculum and to your reporting. Are you a pro athlete? Reach out to your peers and get them involved. Do you have a powerful friend? Talk to him or her. Are you a purchasing director? Ask suppliers what they are doing on climate change. Your big lever exists, you just have to find it.
4. BE VOCAL, BUG YOUR FRIENDS
Not everyone wants to hear it, but it’s important that we speak up about climate change to friends, family, coworkers, etc. Have a POW party. Share this list. Get everyone involved. Be the local climate activist. Contribute an article to your local paper – email us if you need help.
5. TALK TO BUSINESSES
Ask your favourite businesses what they are doing to solve climate change. Ask the company you work for if they’re committed to running a sustainable business, working with like-minded partners and producing products that are environmentally responsible. Also ask if they are leveraging their corporate weight to influence policy. Tell them you’ll take your business to climate leaders.
6. CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE AND SAVE MONEY
Remember that your wallet is a powerful tool. Think about impacts and alternatives before you choose to consume or to travel by car or plane. Apply the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Insulate your house better and turn down the heat. Opt for local products, eat less meat, choose a green energy provider. In short, do all that you can.
7. JOIN POW
We are millions of mountain sports enthusiasts in Europe and around the world. With those numbers, our collective effort can be a major force in the climate movement. Your support of POW will help us consolidate our power and mobilize most effectively. Join us. Together we can Protect Our Winters.