17 Jul Finding Zen in Summit County: Why Yoga, Pilates, and Sound Healing are Your Mountain Must-Haves
When you live in Summit County, you likely lead a pretty active and adventurous lifestyle.
But when you’re caught up in the epic moments, it’s easy to overlook the equally important need for restoration and recovery.
That’s when daily practices like yoga, Mat Pilates, and sound healing can help – offering the perfect complement to your mountain adventures.
You might think of yoga as just stretching, or Pilates as purely for core strength, but in a place like Breckenridge, Dillon, or Frisco, these practices become essential tools for thriving.
And for true tranquility? Dive into the world of sound baths and sound healing. These immersive experiences guide you into a deep state of relaxation where all parts of you can rest.
Integrating these practices into your Summit County routine is a key step in cultivating a sustainable, joyful, and balanced life at altitude. And here at Summit Sol, we’re proud to bring access to premier health and wellness led by a team of caring and passionate guides.
Ready to discover how these practices can transform your mountain experience?
Want to experience some much-needed mountain zen? Visit Summit Sol today and enjoy our Summit County locals intro offer: $45 for 2 weeks of unlimited yoga – and a guest pass to bring a friend along! Grab your intro offer here.
Why Mountain Living Calls for TLC
Living above 9,000 feet isn’t just breathtaking… It’s literally breath-taking.
We live in an area with thinner air and rapidly-changing weather, which can create unique challenges for every body type. Your muscles work harder and your lungs pump faster, both of which force your balance systems to work overtime to stay engaged.
This is exactly why yoga and Pilates aren’t luxury additions to your mountain lifestyle. These practices are designed to help boost your lung function through focused breathing exercises, helping your body adapt more efficiently to decreased oxygen levels.
But the benefits go far beyond physical adaptation. You also have to think about your mental health as well! Here at Summit Sol, we integrate a mind-body connection that helps you stay in balance physically and mentally – which is a key tenet in whole-life wellness.
Yoga
Think of yoga as your personal recovery team. Yoga offers exactly what mountain-weary muscles need – from deep stretching that releases tension to breathing techniques that optimize oxygen intake.
And what better place to enjoy yoga than in beautiful Summit County? Balance poses you practice on the mat translate to better stability on steep slopes. The flexibility you gain helps prevent the pulls and strains common in cold-weather sports.
At Summit Sol, our signature Align & Flow classes are designed with mountain lifestyles in mind. We focus on postural alignment while building the strength and flexibility that make every adventure more enjoyable.
Pilates
If yoga is your recovery partner, Pilates is your strength coach.
Pilates incorporates a core stability focus that doesn’t just give you abs of steel (though that’s a nice bonus). It builds the foundational strength that protects your back and stabilizes your joints.
Mountain life requires you to have exceptional balance and proprioception, which is your body’s ability to know where it is in space. Pilates helps build and hone these skills through controlled movements that challenge your stability in safe ways.
Our Mat Pilates classes at Summit Sol emphasize functional movement patterns that focus on building the specific kind of strength that helps you play harder and recover faster at altitude.
Sound Healing
Have you ever heard of sound healing? It isn’t just “woo-woo” wellness – it’s scientifically proven to help your body adapt to altitude.
The vibrations from sound bowls and other instruments can help regulate blood pressure and improve circulation, which are important when living at elevation.
But one of the most powerful benefits of sound healing in the mountains is its ability to combat the unique stressors of high-altitude living. Sound baths work at a cellular level to reduce cortisol, improve sleep quality, and restore your nervous system to a state of calm.
Creating Your Mountain Wellness Routine
A busy lifestyle in Summit County means you don’t have to choose between adventure and restoration. It’s all about finding the perfect balance of both. Here are some of our top tips for incorporating every one of these into your week to keep you thriving:
For the Weekend Warrior
Start with our Friday evening Restorative class to unwind from the work week, then join us for Saturday morning’s Align & Flow to prepare your body for weekend adventures. Cap off Sunday with a sound healing session to integrate the weekend’s experiences.
For the Daily Adventurer
Alternate between dynamic Flow classes to maintain strength and Yin sessions for deep recovery. Add weekly Pilates to build the core stability that prevents end-of-season burnout.
For an Altitude Newbie
Begin with gentle yoga classes that emphasize breathing techniques. As your body adapts, gradually add more dynamic practices. Sound healing sessions can significantly ease the transition to mountain living.
Experience Mountain Wellness with Summit Sol
We believe in honoring both your adventurous spirit and your body’s need for restoration – no matter your age or stage. And here at Summit Sol, we’ve created a sanctuary where mountain lovers like you can find that perfect balance.
Throughout the week, we host classes to help you get the most out of your mind and body – and cultivate the strength and resilience that make life in the mountains so rich. No matter your goals, our instructors can help you grow and exceed your personal expectations to find balance and inner peace.
Are you ready to transform your mountain experience? Schedule a class today!
If you’re new to the practice, start with our Locals Intro Offer, which gives you two weeks of unlimited classes for only $45. It’s a perfect way to explore how yoga, Pilates, and sound healing can elevate your life at elevation.
Your body works hard to help you play in this incredible playground we call home. Isn’t it time to give back?
Join us on the mat, and discover how these ancient practices are perfectly designed for modern mountain living.
Book your first class today and feel the difference tomorrow!