Norway

Longyearbyen is the heart of the Arctic Circle in Norway. Called an Arctic Metropolis, it boasts 2000 year round residents. Allowing people to work with no visas, people flock there from all over the world to create better lives for themselves. Reindeer roam the streets, dog sled is a prime mode of transport, and there is a polar bear safety zone within the city limits. Half the year it is bathed in continual light, half the year cloaked in darkness. The people of the town must depend on one another in this harsh and changeable climate.

As I taught this class in the middle of the town, one can see the friendliness and connectivity of those walking home from a late night out. (The time is after 10pm! Notice the light.) People stop by, wave, and momentarily join in the class. I loved this town and my travels to the Arctic Circle and hope to return one day in the colder months.

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This spot was my favorite spot in Longyearbyen. It was at the edge of the town where the fjord ran in and the glacier water rushed out. There were rocks, ancient, as the Barnacle Goose and the Arctic Terns made their nests in the loose rubble.

The weather is so changeable here. The sun will shine bright, and then a cloud bank closes around you and the mountains can’t be seen. The temperature drops and the wind picks up.

In this video, you can make out the bright cap of the mountain before the clouds cover it completely and they disappear. It was cold, the wind nipped, and this moment I use to build heat, movement, strength, and stretch to the body. Enjoy this class from the mystical Arctic North.

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I had been chasing the sun and the mountains for 2 days. I wanted to film with the drastic mountains in the background, snow covered and stark. It was cold still, summer in the Arctic Circle. Practicing yoga at that moment, a moment shared with the outside world, a place vast and stark, joy and groundedness in the movement.

Full of strong holds inspired by the mountains and lots is spinal twist variegations, this class will leave you feeling relaxed, released, strong, and balanced.

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High in the Arctic Circle, we came to anchor in front of this glacier. After days of learning about glaciers, it was moving to practice here. Glaciers are extremely threatened. They’re continually disappearing and receding. Yet, here I was in front of yet another glacier. Glaciers comprise 65% of Svalbard but that percentage is changing as the earth warms. As I breathed in deeply, the fresh 10,000 year old air released from the depths of the glacier as a calved, I felt invigorated and enlightened. It was truly a beautiful practice. 

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Whenever I go to Norway, I visit Drøbak. This wayward outward town is not only a lovely place to visit, but the home of one of my best friends. She and I met over 10 years ago doing our yoga teacher training in Mexico. I always think how amazing it is that we met. She was from Korea, moved to Norway, and did her teacher training in Mexico. I was from South Africa, moved to America, and also happened to choose the same place for my yoga teacher training course. We were instant friends and friendship has endured all this time. I am grateful to come visit her often as I can. This is the view 10 minutes walk from her home. I love her, and I loved sharing this practice with her. (She was behind the scenes.🥰😉 )

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