By Amanda May
Staff Writer
Rockies.com

Yoga is a fantastic way to build strength, flexibility and confidence, all the while increasing circulation, your sense of well being and relaxation.

Warrior One pose high in the picturesque Canadian Rockies on an Eco Yoga Adventures retreat. (Eco Yoga Adventures)

There are several places to practice yoga with others in the Canadian Rockies, be it in a studio or out in the wilderness on a retreat. Read below for a few ideas of where you can practice on your visit to the Canadian Rockies.

Rocky Mountain Yoga
Rocky Mountain Yoga is a studio in the town of Banff that offers Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, Yin and Yin/Yang yoga styles. They have daily classes as well as some specialty workshops.

This spring, workshops include a Chakra Yoga-Healing Intensive 1-day workshop and 3 days of workshops with Vancouver-based Anusara-inspired yoga teacher Trisha Wilson.

The studio is located in the Bison Courtyard in downtown Banff. Check Rocky Mountain Yoga or call (403) 762-5686 for more information.

The Banff Centre
The Banff Centre in Banff National Park also offers Flow and Vinyasa yoga classes. According to the center, you will leave class feeling radiant, strong, calm, and centered. What could be better?

Retreats with Eco Yoga Adventures combine yoga with hiking in Banff National Park. (Eco Yoga Adventures)

Visitors to the area can drop into classes, which are designed to accommodate people of all fitness levels. The drop in rate is $10 per class, or a 10-class punch card for $90. Mats are provided.

The centre also has a climbing gym, pool, and an extensive arts program. At the centre, you’ll be right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, yet just a few blocks from downtown Banff. Visit The Banff Centre or call (403) 762-6100 for more information.

Eco Yoga Adventures
Eco Yoga Adventures is a Banff company that organizes retreats that mix yoga and meditation with hiking in breathtaking Banff National Park. Experience your inner nature while appreciating the outdoors on a whole new level with one of their programs like Eco Yoga, Heli-Yoga or Walking Meditation. Trips can be reserved for small groups (3-6 people) from June to September. Visit Eco Yoga Adventures or call 403-678-0101 for more information.

Om!

See Grizzly Bears in the Canadian Rockies

Banff National Park, Alberta

It’s a strange paradox about grizzly bears in the Canadian Rockies. If you research them, half of the information is how to avoid bears or run from them and the other half is how to go about seeing them. Well being in an adventurous mood, I think it’s time to share with you a little secret about seeing grizzly bears close to Banff where you don’t have to pay much and the risk of losing one of those all-important limbs is practically null.

It would be 'unbearable' to not see Boo on your vacation.

There are tours that you can do but if you want to do this independently…and cheating a little, you can visit Boo the Bear at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden. Boo is an orphaned bear who lives in a sectioned off area on the hill. There is a unique experience to watch Boo do all the bear things that you have always wondered about such as hunting, playing, swimming, reading the paper, etc. The refuge is accesses by chairlift with a short walk to the interpretive center. Once here, you can stay as long as you want.

These tours kick off in 2010 on June 11th and run seven days a week until September 26th 2010 when Boo enjoys some quiet time. The best time to catch a good sight of the grizzly bear is at the cooler times of the day such as early morning or late evening. If you book in advance you can go at 7:30am which gives you the best chance to see Boo when quiet. Golden is less than a 2 hour drive from Banff and 40 minutes less again from Lake Louise.

For more information, contact Kicking Horse

Office: 250.439.5425 | Fax: 250.439.5401

1.866.SKI.KICK [754.5425]

From the UK: 0.808.101.1682

More on Grizzly Bears

This vegetarian restaurant has organic, vegan and gluten-free choices. Come and eat lunch for or dinner in their warm, comfortable dining area with open kitchen and friendly service. Special diets accommodated. Entrees generally cost between $9 and $20.

Nourish Vegetarian Bistro & Tea House
Sundance Mall (Second Floor)
215 Banff Ave.
Banff, AB
403-760-3933

Get big portions for a small price at Pad Thai in the Clock Tower Mall in Banff. Main dishes cost between $9 and $16. They are open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Come and get your Thai fix here!

Pad Thai
Clock Tower Mall
110 Banff Ave.
Banff, AB
403-762-4911

This chain restaurant offers pizzas on hand-tossed or thin crust. Order one of their house specialties or custom make your pie. “Chicken kickers,” wings, cinnamon sticks and cheesy bread also available. Free delivery after 4 p.m.

Domino’s Pizza
601 Banff Avenue
Banff, AB
(403) 760-3330

Cows is an award-winning ice cream parlor in Banff. They offer more than 35 super premium flavors served in handmade waffle cones. Merchandise is plentiful as well, with tons of t-shirts, sweats and souvenirs with their original cow logo.

Cows
134 Banff Ave.
Banff, AB
403-760-3493

This is a popular pizza and sandwich place that has been around since 1989. Build your sandwich at their deli or try one of their toasty, oven-fired varieties. Their pizzas have a crisp, homemade crust and are topped with fresh veggies and only premium meats. They also offer soft shell tacos, chicken wings, donair (shwarma), nachos, salads and Canadian poutine. Come around breakfast time and you can get a bagel or wrap. Delivery for food and liquor available. Aardvark Pizza & Sub is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Aardvark Pizza & Sub
304A Caribou St.
Banff, AB
403-762-5500

This Banff steakhouse serves Black Angus and AAA Alberta steaks, as well as salmon, barbeque ribs and hardwood-grilled chicken. The ambiance is great, with a vaulted ceiling, fireplace and open wine-to-view wine selection. Sit in a booth, on their balcony or in a private room. Their 1200°F infrared oven is unique and makes sure your meats are always tender and flavorful. They are also open for lunch, with salads sandwiches (and steaks, of course). Choose one of the 100 bottles of wine to accompany your meal, 26 of which are also offered by the glass. Other bar offerings include fine scotch and numerous beers on tap. Reservations are recommended for groups of eight or more.

Saltlik Steakhouse
221 Bear St.
Banff, AB
403-762-2467

This restaurant has been a popular, locally-owned eatery in Banff since 1975. As you can imagine, they specialize in Alberta beef. Popular cuts include prime rib, ribeye, tenderloin steaks and baby back ribs. They also offer a full salad bar (the only one in Banff) and fish dishes like trout. Main courses generally run from $10 to $40 (children’s menu also available). Their loft lounge serves drinks and features pub games and satellite television. Bumper’s is open starting at 5 p.m. daily. Come and see why their slogan is “If you haven’t been to Bumper’s, you havent’ been to Banff!”

Bumper’s Beef House
603 Banff Ave.
Banff, AB
403-762-2622

Swagger into this Tex-Mex Banff restaurant and you’ll find yourself in the midst of rustic décor and in a casual western saloon-style atmosphere. Their menu features tamale pie, fajitas and burritos. They also serve more traditional Canadian cuisine, include barbeque, chicken, pizza, and steaks. Other pluses for this restaurant include occasional live music and an outdoor patio. Mains cost betwwn $8 and $13 at lunch and $11 to $23 at dinner. Open from noon to 2 a.m. daily. Come hungry because portions are generous!

Magpie & Stump
203 Caribou St.
Banff, AB
403-762-4067