Jessica Lucey :: Yoga Teacher

I first met Jessica Lucey when a friend suggested we try one of her stand up paddle board (SUP) yoga classes last summer. It was… challenging. Floating atop a buoyant paddle board added an entirely new dimension to what, in a studio, I would’ve considered pretty basic poses. So although my SUP tree pose resembled more of a trembling vine, I loved the premise of practicing yoga outdoors in a beautiful albeit unfamiliar environment.

After taking another of Jessica’s SUP yoga classes this summer and surfing her web site, I discovered her land-based (yay!) yoga hikes. I thought a yoga excursion would offer the best of both worlds: the stabler platform of traditional yoga combined with a unique outdoor setting. The combination did not disappoint.

After a brief warm-up at the trailhead, Jessica led our small group on a 4-mile trek through the Fort Collins foothills. Along the way we stopped for a handful of sun salutations while the rising sun draped itself over us. From there we continued up to the top of a ridge, our final destination, where Jessica guided us through another series of poses. With water breaks, deer in the distance, and the sun now fully awake, we eventually made our way back to the start for a final cool-down stretching session.

Through her company, Sun Breath Yoga, Jessica offers a variety of “mindful movement experiences” with the goal of connecting people with themselves and the outdoors. Her yoga hike did just that for me. I’d describe it as a mini morning retreat.. queue the reflection, low-key exertion, and self indulgence.

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