Relax at OM - for the Holidays

Guest blog by skier and yogi, Jo Kirsch.

I’ve been skiing and hiking since I was 3 years old and that makes for some pretty tight muscles. When I was 30, my chiropractor friend suggested I try yoga. I thought, Me do yoga? No way. I’m not flexible. 

Well that’s just it. The physical practice of yoga, linking movement with breath, is a perfect practice for everyone, no matter how tight, strong, or flexible one is. Practicing yoga helps you gain flexibility, build strength, and unite your mind and body. Which generally feels pretty darn good. The hardest part is showing up and getting to the mat. Once you do, the experience is blissful.

Jo even does yoga in ski boots. Yoga on the Snow with Jo is offered
during Om for the  Holidays.

If you are looking for something different to do Christmas week at Stratton, come take a yoga class at the Living Room at the Inn at Stratton Mountain. What used to be the Bear Bottom Pub is now a yoga studio and the home base for Om for the Holidays, an enlightened celebration from mat to mountain, Dec. 27 – 30.

Classes and activities include yoga on the snow, slack lining, hooping, children’s yoga, snowshoeing, experiential drumming and swing dancing! Get the whole experience with a one or three day pass, or choose classes a la carte, or join in for the free evening activities.

The celebration kicks off on Thursday evening with a fireside chat and meditation with best selling author and renowned yoga teacher, Beryl Bender Birch. Known for her compassion, wisdom, and down-to-earth manner, Beryl will guide a peaceful loving kindness meditation at the Living Room from 7-8:30 pm.

Other free activities open to everyone are: 

• The Om for the Holidays Celebration, Friday night, with a farmer’s market featuring the bounty that is Vermont, mountain hooping, slack lining by Stratton Snowsports Director Craig Panarisi, and live music by Devi, a folk-kirtan fusion band with rich vocal harmonies in soulful songs that uplift and inspire. 
• On Saturday night, you can shake your bootie to blues, pop, rock, and funky cool tunes, and learn how to West Coast Swing with Karen Graham. Come learn or watch, this unique, fun, freestyle form of dance - no partner or experience required and beginners are welcome! 
• Sunday night, Nathanial Hall will guide an interactive drumming experience for people of all ages. Drumming together builds a sense of community and wellbeing, and is just plain fun. Drums provided. Got musical talent? No worries, if you have a heartbeat you can drum.

During the day you can choose from guided snowshoe tours, and many yoga classes by the fire in The Living Room, a beautiful space to warm up and chill out. For a complete schedule and info on how to get your class passes, visit www.stratton.com/omfortheholidays.com. 

Jo Kirsch, RYT-500, Certified PSIA Ski Instructor, and Executive Director of Wild Mountain U, a nonprofit that conducts intentionally-designed programs that integrate the art and science of yoga with educational, relationship-building and skill-building experiences for individuals of all abilities and disabilities, visible and invisible.