Flowing Through Summer
Keep Your Yoga Practice Alive at the Lake
Summers in Manitoba are sacred. The long, light-filled days. The sound of water lapping at the dock. Mornings that start with coffee on the deck and evenings that end around the fire. It’s a beautiful time to recharge — but for many, it’s also when regular yoga practice takes a back seat.
If you've ever found yourself saying, “I’ll get back to my mat in the fall,” this is for you. You don’t need a formal studio setting to stay connected to your practice. Whether you're spending a weekend at the lake or posted up at the cabin for the whole summer, here’s how to weave movement, stillness, and self-care into your cottage life — with ease.
Make Space for Ritual
You don’t need a full yoga room — just a clear spot on the dock, a stretch of lawn, or a quiet corner of your cabin where you can roll out a mat. Set it up in the morning before the day gets busy. Light a stick of incense, bring a cozy blanket, or play gentle music. Let your body feel that this space is for you.
Rise & Flow with Nature
The cottage is the perfect place to follow natural rhythms. Try starting your day with a gentle morning practice — sun salutations by the water, a few deep breaths as the birds sing, a seated meditation with your toes in the sand. Just 10–20 minutes is enough to set the tone for the day ahead.
Keep It Flexible
Summer is about flow — so let your practice be fluid, too. One day might call for a slow Yin session under the trees, another for a heat-building Vinyasa on the deck. Don’t pressure yourself to “do it all.” A consistent 10-minute check-in can be more powerful than a rare 90-minute sweat. The key is showing up in a way that feels good.
Sync with Stillness
One of the greatest gifts of cottage life is the quiet. The stillness of the lake, the rustle of the trees, the gentle rhythm of nature — it all invites us to slow down. Try taking time each day to simply sit and observe. Watch the sun rise or set. Listen deeply to the sounds around you. These moments of mindfulness are part of the practice, too. By leaning into presence off the mat, you’ll find it easier to return to it on the mat — no force, just flow.
Journal, Read, Reflect
Bring your journal, a nourishing read, or a deck of oracle cards with you to the lake. Let your time off be about reflection as much as relaxation. A few quiet minutes in the hammock with your thoughts can be deeply grounding.
Cottage Yoga Essentials
Pack these in your weekend or summer tote:
• Lightweight yoga mat
• Online classes (tip: download the classes to your device before heading to the lake so that you don’t have to worry about spotty Wi-Fi!)
• Eye pillow or scarf for savasana
• Portable speaker or headphones for music
• Essential oils (lavender, peppermint, or cedarwood are cottage-friendly)
• Journal + pen
• An inspiring book or card deck
• Your favourite cozy layer for cool mornings or savasana
When You’re Back in Town…
If you're popping back into the city between weekends or spending a few days here and there at home, let us help you stay grounded and inspired:
• New to the studio? Our $75 Intro Month gives you 30 days of unlimited practice—perfect for exploring different classes and teachers.
• Here for a short stretch? The 1-week Unlimited Pass is great for diving in daily while you're in town.
• Just want to flow for a day? Join us anytime with our Drop-In pass or our special $18 Drop-In classes!
• Coming and going all summer long? Check out our $199 Unlimited Summer Special Pass and all our other pass options to find what works for your schedule.
You don’t have to choose between the lake and your practice. You can have both—movement on the mat, stillness by the water, community in the studio. Let this be the summer you stay connected—to your body, your breath, and the beauty around you.
