Yoga On & Off the Mat

Summer Yoga in Western Montana

By Brooke Hewes, 5-31-08

With summer comes long, warm, sun-worshiping days. We trade our down jackets for tank tops—our yoga classes for trail runs. We are drawn out rather than in. And, in terms of our practice, this is just fine. Yoga is, after all, about being fluid and flexible, not rigid and attached.

Still, while non-attachment and flexibility are keystones of this wonderful tradition, so too is dedication. Dedication, though, doesn’t just mean practicing asana on a sticky mat; it means being mindful of or engaging in whatever limb of yoga that sustains your path, including yama and niyama (ethical disciplines and self observations); pranayama (breath control; and, among others, dhyana (meditation). That said, summer is (as my teacher gently reminds us each year as we transition this season) a special time to work on asana—with heat comes increased physical flexibility and the opportunity to go deep into postures.

So, it is in this spirit of warmth and summer—not to mention those delicious, indulgent childhood associations of leisure and play— that I offer some regional retreats, workshops, and classes worth considering. Please add to the list if you know of any more.

1. Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Workshop. Randa Chehab, owner of Bozeman’s Down to Earth Yoga Studio, is hosting a three-day Ashtanga workshop next weekend, June 6 to June 8. The classes will consist of asana, chanting and some “sutra work.” Call 406/581-3682 to make reservations. You can read more about Randa’s training and the workshop tracts on her website, ashtangamontana.com.

2. Yoga on the Solstice. Missoula yoga teacher Erin Gael will lead a three-hour class to benefit the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center’s Mahankhal Chautari School Project in Nepal. The class takes place on June 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. and costs anywhere between $30 and $60 depending on one’s ability to pay. Consisting of “slowish” sun salutations, gentle inversions, pranayama and seated meditation, the class is appropriate for all levels. Contact the Yoga Fitness Center (123 Alder Street, where the class will be held) or the peace center at 543-3955 for info.

3. Down Dog Missoula moves Downtown. Down Dog opened the doors of its new downtown digs June 1. With the move come more classes, an additional classroom (which makes two), a waiting room and two on-site massage therapists. Classes are offered seven days a week and include Restorative Yoga, Kicking Asana and Evening Hatha. Rather than in their old space behind Home Depot, you can now find Down Dog at 327 E. Broadway or online at downdogmissoula.com.

4. Beyond Asana with Babs Brady. “Enjoy a luscious practice of yoga postures, breathing techniques (pranayama), and visualization building toward the most marvelous meditation” with former Missoulian Babs Brady. She will be hosting an afternoon workshop at the Women’s Club July 20 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Babs has studied with such renowned teachers are Erich Schiffmann and David Life. She currently lives and teaches in California. To sign up or get more information, call TWC at 728-4410.

5. Missoula’s New Dance Collective Offers Yoga Fusion. “Bogo” blends ballet and yoga. World Rhythm Yoga invites students to move through asanas to a world beat.” These and more unique classes are now being offered at the Downtown Dance Collective at 121 West Main Street in Missoula. The grand opening is this Friday, June 6, though classes started two weeks ago and are already running strong Monday through Saturday. A schedule, class costs, and membership information are available on their website ddcmontana.com.

6. Yoga Nidra Mountain Retreat in Big Sky. Yoga Nidra, or “Yogic Sleep,” employs body and breath awareness techniques to facilitate “the deepest levels of relaxation while still remaining fully aware.” Yogi Amrit Desai, of the Florida-based Amrit Yoga Institute, is leading a workshop in Big Sky Montana from August 1 through 3. Contact workshop organizer for additional information.

7. Spaces Still Available for Feathered Pipe Ranch Summer Retreats. From June to October, week-long yoga workshops are held at this spectacular mountain retreat outside of Helena, Montana. And according to Katherine Smith of the Feathered Pipe Foundation, the nonprofit that runs the ranch, there are still spots left in all of workshops except those led by Erich Schiffmann, John Schumacher & Patricia Walden, and Judith Lasater. Lodging options range (tipi, tent, lodge), and costs depend upon the workshop—this information and more is available at featheredpipe.com.

8. Judith Hanson Lasater Workshop. If you miss Lasater at the Feathered Pipe Ranch (which you will unless you already reserved a space), you can catch her in Missoula at the Women’s Club on August 10. The one-day workshop will focus on “specific poses that create a healthy balance of the organs in the chest and abdomen.” You may sign up for the morning session (10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.), the afternoon (2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.) or both. Contact the Women’s Club at 406/728-4410 for more information. By the way, men are welcome.

9. Kids Yoga and Art Camp 2008. Though the camp’s two sessions are currently full, there are spots on the wait list for children ages 5 through 13. Montanabliss studio in Big Fork, Montana, and the Ravenwood Nature Camp host the camps, which run from. July 14-18 and August 11-15. The all levels are welcome and inquires should be directed to 406/837-4772.

Montanabliss is also holding a Detox Yoga class on June 21 from 9 a.m. to noon that combines the sciences of yoga and Ayurveda in Veda Yoga. Sign up by emailing (through the website) or calling. Finally, the Big Fork-based studio is offering a Veda Yoga teacher training also slated to take place this summer, though the dates have not yet been set.

10. Cowgirl Yoga at Big Sky Yoga Retreats. Margaret Burns Vap, founder of Big Sky Yoga Retreats, teams up with Annie Bolognino, a Bozeman-based riding instructor, horse trainer, farrier and founder of Equineimity, each summer to explore the link between yoga and horseback riding. This summer’s three sessions run from June 8-13, July 13-18, and August 3-8. Days will be spent horseback riding, practicing yoga, learning about “natural horsemanship,” and practicing yoga while riding “to instantly release tension and relax you (and your horse!).” Last year’s retreat was featured in Fit Yoga. Recommended reading: The Tao of Equus by Linda Kohanov.

11. Prenatal Yoga All Summer Long. Rasa O’Neil, certified prenatal/postpartum yoga instructor, will offer her pre-natal yoga class at the Open Way Sangha Mondays from 4 p.m.to 5:15 p.m. all summer. The Open Way is located at 702 Brooks Ave., next to the Rose Memorial Garden.

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