Yoga

Yoga is now as popular as aerobics was a decade ago, and for the good reason of improving general strength and flexibility, whilst calming racing or troubled minds. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a ski pro, yoga can help you stay supple, focused and less prone to injury. It not only reduces the risk of that embarrassing ski injury, but helps maximise skiing performance and enjoyment by increasing fitness, flexibility, spatial awareness and balance.

Read this Yoga Journal article on the benefits of yoga for skiiers (and boarders!).

Begin your day with Yoga…

Our morning starts with a general Hatha Yoga class, beginning with pranayama (breath work) exercises for balance and clarity and increased oxygen flow to the body and mind. In a ski resort like Chamonix, pranayama is particularly important; when you think about the fact that the village height is 1,035m (3,395ft) and the highest lift goes up to 3,864m (12,679ft) this extra boost is a very good idea as there’s much less oxygen in the air at this height than we’re used to - and at a time when we’re probably asking a lot more of our bodies than we normally do!

After a little ‘wake-up call’ to our lungs, this morning session is a more dynamic practice with an emphasis on standing postures as we open up, warm and strengthen the body in preparation for a day on (or off!) the pistes. We focus not only on the quadriceps which work hard whether you’re a skier or boarder, but also on opening the hips, lengthening the hamstrings and warming the muscles around the knees to ensure you get the most out of your days on the snow and prevent that all-too-common knee injury. We also ensure the upper body has the opportunity to open as the lower back and shoulders are often stiff after the best part of the year at a desk and the better our all-round flexibility, core strength and balance is when we hit the snow, the more fun we’ll have.

And wind down the yogi way…

The traditional way to finish a day on the slopes tends to be to hit happy hour for a bit of après ski and most of us will have suffered for this in the past with stiffness, sore muscles and aching joints throughout the week. With AdventureYogi, our way to wind down and slow down involves a gentle yoga class to stretch out and relax abused muscles and joints. This afternoon session will vary and we’ll include pranayama, meditation and the occasional Yoga Nidra to really let go and enter a state of deep relaxation. Then, after plenty of water to flush it all through the system, and perhaps a massage to really pamper yourself, those who wish can enjoy a good glass of organic wine with a fantastic vegetarian dinner.

Both morning and evening yoga classes are suitable for varying levels of experience. Your background will, of course, be taken into account and the focus of the class is to help you get the most enjoyment possible out of your skiing.
We ask that everyone bring their own yoga mat - and if you do own a yoga strap it would be great if you could bring this too!