There are yoga classes. And then there are yoga adventures.
Holly Twining is inviting us all to join her in an adventure.
Holly, a yoga instructor based in Orono, is the founder of Maine Yoga Adventures, an event company that combines yoga with an array of other fun activities, from hiking and tennis to writing and wine tasting.
Her first event was a Paddling and Wine Tasting Adventure – an outdoor yoga practice followed by two hours of kayaking and afterward, a picnic, more yoga and then – oh yes – a wine tasting.
Yoga + Kayaking + Picnic + Wine. That’s a pretty fantastic way to spend a summer Saturday. Oh, and did I mention the optional chair massage?
More late-summer and fall adventures are already scheduled, too, like a hiking and paddleboarding adventure in August and an overnight on Borestone Mountain in September. There’s also an upcoming event for kids and Holly’s also hoping to get a yoga and karate event on the calendar.
And Holly plans to keep the adventures going year round (think writing and snowshoeing workshop in January or February).
But whatever the adventure, Holly hopes to get people outside to enjoy nature and meet each other.
“I think it’s important for people to get outside, to move their bodies, to stay curious and try things they haven’t tried before,” she said.
The adventures are open to all levels – people who have yoga experience and people who have never done yoga at all. In fact, Holly said, novices are encouraged. “I want people who haven’t practiced yoga to get out there with me and give it a try.”
Participants can also work with Holly to plan a specific yoga adventure of their own (yoga and swimming? Yoga and birding? There are so many options!).
“Maybe you really love to kayak but never practiced yoga,” said Holly. “I’m hoping that those people will come and experience a yoga practice and are drawn to it and all the things it can do for you.”
And since Holly also has a deep appreciation for nature (nature’s pretty awesome, so we can see why), she’s hoping to share that, too.
“I think in my life I found it important to inspire other people to get excited to get connected to nature….even if it’s just in your own backyard.”
Upcoming yoga adventures
Paddling and Wine Tasting Adventure
3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 25
1 Old Meadow Ln Orono
$55
FMI: maineyogaadventures.com
“Connect with nature with an outdoor yoga practice then move onto a two hour paddling excursion. Learn to make your boat dance and play on the water learning new strokes and maneuvers with a focus on body alignment and fluidity that will link to your yoga practice.”
Kooky Kids Adventure
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 5
Webster Park, Orono
$65
FMI: maineyogaadventures.com
“Venture out with your children to enjoy a day of yoga, art, and nature. Holly Twining, founder of MYA, will lead an outdoor mantis yoga class – a fun animal and insect inspired yoga class filled with yoga postures both flying and terrestrial.”
Hiking and Paddleboarding Adventure
3 to 9 p.m. Sunday, August 30
Ship Harbor Nature Trail, Acadia National Park
$75
FMI: maineyogaadventures.com
“Join Machelle Lahaye, certified paddleboard and yoga instructor, and Holly Twining, founder of MYA, for hiking, paddleboard yoga fun, and healthy food.”
Paddleboarding and Tennis Adventure
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 5
Fort Williams, South Portland
$175
FMI: maineyogaadventures.com
“Find strength and confidence in your core as we move beyond the shoreline with paddleboards provided by Portland Paddle. After paddleboard fun, we’ll take a break to breathe in the beautiful environs. A healthy lunch will nourish our bellies and spirits….We’ll hit the tennis courts. Kelly will lead an hour long clinic to work on tennis skills and strategy followed up by an hour left to play.”
Borestone Mountain Weekend Adventure
1 p.m. Friday, September 25 to 1 p.m. Sunday, September 27
Borestone Mountain, Guilford
$300
FMI: maineyogaadventures.com
“Maine Yoga Adventures is heading to a gorgeous sanctuary for hiking, yoga, paddling, healthy food, an evening explorations. Encompassing more than 1,600 acres in Maine’s Hundred Mile Wilderness region, Borestone Mountain Sanctuary offers a spectacular array of natural features, including rare older forest, three crystalline ponds, exposed granite crags and sweeping panoramic views. ”
