Greenhouse branches out
Yoga classes to be offered twice a week
Meagan Leonard
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 16, 2015
INUVIK
The Inuvik Community Greenhouse is reshaping the way people think about public spaces.
The first "hot" yoga class of the summer was held at the Inuvik Community Greenhouse July 6. - Meagan Leonard/NNSL photo
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Although it maintains its traditional role, the greenhouse is positioning itself as a community hub, a place for events, meetings, workshops and functions.
Greenhouse executive director Ray Solotki says the push is part of an initiative to help the greenhouse generate more of its own income.
"The goal for the greenhouse is to eventually be self-sufficient and right now we operate a lot on donations and handouts from the government," said Solotki.
"So our goal is to get to a point where we're making enough money that we can stop that."
Going forward she is hoping to pitch the greenhouse as a kind of conference centre.
"There's not a lot of meeting options in this town and we have tables and chairs and all of those things," she said.
"How great would it be if the next time the agricultural committee is in town, instead of going to another place and sitting in a closed office, if they couldn't be here with the natural sunlight using the space."
Yoga classes have been held at the greenhouse in the past, so this is something Solotki wanted to revitalize.
"It's naturally lit, it's naturally warm, it's just a wonderful location, so we've been trying to find ways to use it," she said, adding depending on the weather they may be able to continue using the space into the fall.
Kat Scarf will be leading the yoga classes two nights a week in the greenhouse and is very excited to practice and teach in such a unique atmosphere. She says her classes will focus on vinyasa flow - a dynamic form of yoga that mixes and matches sequences so no two classes are alike. She said, if you've never tried yoga before, don't worry.
"I offer many modifications for all levels of students, from beginner to the more advanced, so my classes are always open to everyone," she said.
"You can expect a light atmosphere, good music, a great workout that's followed by some relaxation and of course a positive space filled with energy created by the greenhouse."
Because temperatures in the greenhouse can reach up to 40 C, many of the classes will also incorporate elements of "hot" yoga.
"Hot" or bikram yoga has continued to rise in popularity over the last few years with studios popping up in many neighbourhoods. Similar to a sauna or steam room, the purpose is detoxification because sweating helps flush toxins from the skin and the heat improves flexibility, allowing participants to go more deeply into postures.
Exercising in a heated room also results in an elevated heart rate, meaning the body has to work harder - adding a cardio element less common in traditional yoga classes.
Because the commercial greenhouse space naturally reaches temperatures between 30 and 40 C, it seemed like the perfect location for the class.
"I think people just want to be outside," says Solotki.
"So for this time of year, to be able to have this space where you're not outside in the bugs, but you're still getting all of the natural sunlight is great."
Scarf will be offering a six-week yoga session on Monday and Wednesday nights throughout the summer. Her program is designed for those of all skill levels - participants can do the whole course or try it out on a class-by-class basis. Anyone interested is invited to stop by the greenhouse at 8 p.m.
