Hiking and Yoga
"Renewal in the Rockies"
Yoga and hiking ... what a combination
for a transformational weekend in the Rockies. Long time hiking guide
Kristen Stuart combines her passions for yoga and hiking to present
with us, a weekend of Renewal in the Rockies. Practice yoga in
breathtaking natural settings and reconnect with yourself and with
nature on this yoga and hiking retreat. Surrounded by the majesty and
grandeur of the Canadian Rockies you will rejuvenate mind, body and
spirit through daily yoga sessions, guided hikes and evening fireside
discussions on incorporating health and wellness into your daily life.
2008 Date
September 13 - 15.
Cost
$750 Canadian includes yoga coaching and instruction, guided
hiking, 2 nights shared accommodation and meals.
Not included: Gratuities &
5% Goods and Service Tax (GST)*. Cancellation insurance available for $40.
* a 50% rebate of the GST is available to
non-residents of Canada.
Currency Exchange Calculator
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Meeting Place and Time
We
gather at Baker Creek Chalets
near Lake Louise at 7pm. Reception staff will direct you
to the meeting room when you check in.
Map
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Program Itinerary
Friday September 13 at Baker Creek Chalets
We begin Friday night with a low key welcome reception and gentle
Ashtanga yoga session to help you settle in and unwind from your
journey.
Fall hiking in the Canadian Rockies
September 14
After a restful night’s sleep, we start our day with an invigorating
Rise and Shine Flow yoga class to recharge the body and rekindle your
spirit. Following a scrumptious breakfast we will head out on a full
day hike to experience the spectacular scenery and rugged terrain the
Rockies have to offer.
Returning later in the afternoon there will be personal time to do as
you wish or to take in a relaxing massage, working away any sore
muscles from your day in the mountains. Our evening starts with a
fresh and wholesome dinner at the Bistro restaurant, renowned for
their French and Italian influenced cooking. After dinner we will wind
down our day with a restorative yoga practice, easing away any strain
or tension in the body and enhancing inner peace and calm. An evening
discussion on wellness and active living will be offered.
September 15
We begin this day with an early meditation before enjoying yet another
excellent breakfast. Fall in the Rockies with golden larch and aspen
decorating the valley walls is arguably the best time of year for
hiking and we can't miss this last opportunity for mountain enjoyment.
Returning earlier in the afternoon we will wrap up our weekend of Renewal in the Rockies with a Vinyasa Flow class
and closing circle before departing
rejuvenated and fresh.
September in Larch Valley
Massage Therapy
We
will also have a massage therapist available. Massage must be booked
in advance of your arrival however.
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September Hiking
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September Larch in fresh snow |
September in the Canadian Rockies is famous for the turning of the
larches. Dominating the upper levels of the forest the alpine larches
blaze in golden splendour through the middle of the month drawing
hikers and photographers from far afield. The weather varies from the
brilliant crisp and clear days of an Indian Summer to cool and showery
with a touch of snow on the peaks. In either condition the hiking is
fabulous and scenery unmatched.
Kristen will choose hikes that show this wonderful area at it's very
best. Here are just a couple of possibilities:
Larch Valley
and Eiffel Lake. Perhaps the most famous autumn walk in the
Rockies and inspiration for generations of artists this hike is
located in and not too far from Baker Creek. 12 km walking, 500m elevation gain.
Stanley Glacier, Just over the Continental Divide in Kootenay
National Park this hike entails 8 km of walking and a 365m elevation
gain. Hike into a beautiful hanging valley above Vermilion Pass. Mt.
Stanley and the Stanley Glacier above.
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How difficult is it? How fit and experienced need you be?
This
is an easy to moderate difficulty program. Participants will be carrying a day pack containing spare clothing, camera, lunch and something to drink each day.
No previous experience in yoga is necessary. Hikes will be chosen to best suit the group. This program is designed for fit walkers. Any training you can do before you arrive will enhance your experience. No previous mountain hiking experience required.
Accommodation and Meals
Baker Creek Chalets is located
on the Bow Valley Parkway just east of Lake Louise in a lovely
forested setting. It's restaurant is well known in the area and
something of a destination in itself.
The program includes two nights accommodation in shared rooms. We can
arrange a single room at an extra cost to you should you prefer.
On arrival Friday night we will be providing a light snack. Meals are
provided from breakfast on Saturday a bagged lunch on Sunday. Please
let us know if you have any special dietary requirements so that we
can notify the restaurant in advance.
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Your guide and instructor, Kristen Stuart,
BA, PTS, MBS, RYT
 Kristen
is a certified hiking guide who spends the most of her summer sharing
the beauty of the Rockies with clients from around the world. She is
also the owner of OM Mind-Body Fitness, specializing in
personal training and Yoga instruction. She has combined her passions
for yoga and the mountains by offering a variety of workshops and
retreats to help people reconnect with themselves and their
environment through self-reflection, yoga practice, hiking and
meditation. She believes in the importance of balance in all aspects
of life. As a wellness professional Kristen takes a mind-body approach
that provides her clients with the necessary tools to make positive
change in their life as they strive for optimal health and wellness.
She encourages her clients to embrace the connection between a
positive mind and a healthy body and to interact with their natural
surroundings.
In her
spare time you will find her pursuing her passions in the mountains
for rock, ice and alpine climbing, snowboarding and backcountry skiing
or practicing Ashtanga yoga.
Qualifications
-
CanFitPRo
Personal Trainer Specialist
-
CanFitPro
Mind-Body Fitness Specialist
-
Trinity
Yoga Level 3 Instructor
-
Wilderness First Responder First Aid
-
CPR
Rescuer
-
ACMG
Certified Hiking Guide
Group Size
The minimum group size will be
6, maximum 10.
Getting to Baker Creek and Transportation
Baker Creek Chalets are situated west of Canmore between and Banff and
Lake Louise on the Bow Valley Parkway (see
map). Canmore is situated 100km (65miles) west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. Calgary International Airport is well connected to major cities throughout North America and Europe.
Let us know if you are having any difficulty in arranging transport to Baker
Creek. We would be happy to put participants in touch with each other to
facilitate carpooling from Calgary.
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Clothing and Equipment
Your guide will be carrying a full emergency and first-aid kit. You will need to bring your own daypack and personal clothing. Cotton clothing is NOT recommended as an insulating layer as it causes rapid heat loss when wet.
What to Bring
-
YOGA MAT
-
HIKING BOOTS: These should be 'broken-in' and have good ankle support and tread. Your boots will make or break your holiday so some time spent getting used to them is time well spent.
-
DAYPACK: Large enough to carry extra clothing (rain jacket & pants, sweater, gloves, hat), lunch and snack food, water bottle and camera plus accessories (rental available).
-
TREKKING POLES
-
SUNGLASSES
-
WATER BOTTLE (1 Litre)
-
SMALL BLISTER & FIRST AID KIT
-
SUN BLOCK & LIP BALM
-
INSECT REPELLENT
Hiking Clothing
-
Wool or fleece HAT
-
SUNHAT
-
3 TO 4 WARM LAYERED TOPS (1.Light weight polypro top. 2. medium or expedition weight polypropylene top. 3. fleece jacket or sweater
-
T-SHIRT for warm, dry sunny days
-
RAIN JACKET with HOOD (sufficient to withstand a day of rain or snow)
-
Light GLOVES or MITTS
-
SOCKS, several changes.. We suggest a wool blend for comfort.
-
SHORT PANTS can be very comfortable for hiking, they should be quick drying, and preferably not cotton.
-
HIKING PANTS (comfortable and quick drying, not cotton)
-
RAIN PANTS (sufficient to withstand a day of rain or snow) (Rentals available)
-
RUNNING SHOES OR OTHER LIGHT WEIGHT FOOTWEAR (backup in case you get blisters).
-
BATHING SUIT - OPTIONAL
Optional Gear
Rental Information
We have daypacks and rain gear for rent. Please book in advance.
If you have any questions or need clarification don't hesitate to call or
email.
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Insurance
Please ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident whilst here. Obtain extra travel insurance if necessary.
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To Book
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A deposit of $276CDN
(including GST) is required at time of booking. Final payment is due eight
weeks before the start of the trip. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest
you take our cancellation insurance for an extra non-refundable $40 this
can only be purchased at the time of booking.
For detailed Booking Instructions and Conditions, click here.
Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the trip. Click here for waiver copy.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need to know anything else about this hike.
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