Since the spring, Orono resident Holly Twining has offered yoga classes with a twist — through her new business, Maine Yoga Adventures, she’s combining yoga with the great outdoors. For the past few months, Twining, who has also taught yoga at Om Land Yoga in Orono, Bangor and Brewer, has led “adventures” as simple as gentle yoga for seniors in Orono, to full-scale yoga, paddling and hiking adventures to places like Monhegan Island and Borestone Mountain in Piscataquis County. Twining said she wants to combine the traditional practices of yoga with Maine’s greatest natural resource — its natural beauty. “It’s going beyond your terrestrial or ordinary yoga practice and freshening it up a little bit by connecting with the water, connecting with the outdoors and connecting with each other,” said Twining. “Some folks spend too much time on their computers, phones or in front of the TV, so the connection to nature is a huge piece of it, and a nice way to mix things up.” Adventures may include such things as a beginning yoga session, followed by a stand up paddle boarding session or a nature walk, followed by a wine tasting. For longer adventures, there may be three full days that involve everything from hiking a mountain to nighttime yoga, as well as healthy food prepared on site and included in the cost of the adventure. There are options for all different skills levels and ages, including yoga specifically geared towards seniors and children. Upcoming Maine Yoga Adventures include
- Fall Fandango in Bangor, 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct, 3, including a nature walk along the Kenduskeag Trail, dance lessons and a gentle yoga session at Noh Way School, and a wine and cheese tasting from Bangor Wine & Cheese Company; $70.
- Monhegan Island Overnight Adventure, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 through 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12. Participants will meet at the Port Clyde boat launch at 10:30 a.m. and take a ferry to the island, where they go on a bird watching trip, take a martial arts class, go hiking and do outdoor yoga with Twining; accommodations will be at the Island Inn; $275 per person.
- Flying and Bottling Adventure, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. The day begins with aerial yoga at Om Land Yoga in Brewer, followed by a walk along the Penobscot River, lunch by Tiller & Rye, and a discussion on wine and wine bottling at the Orono Public Library from Central Street Farmhouse. $40.
For more information and to registration for all sessions, visit maineyogaadventures.com.
