Of the Wood River Valley's many alternatives to outdoor activities, yoga is one of the most popular. At the Hailey Yoga Center, owner Cathie Caccia has been able to incorporate several types of classes at her studio for participants wanting a variety.
"I wanted a broader-feeling concept (than just a studio) and opened the Hailey Yoga Center," Caccia said.
The Wood River Valley has numerous yoga options, including classes at Zenergy, High Altitude Fitness and the Wood River YMCA. Though there are fees and memberships at all those facilities, they also offer classes on an individual basis. At Zenergy, classes are only available to members, but non-members can take part in limited short-term memberships and special sessions.
One is "Designing a Home Practice with Lauri Bunting," which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 3-5 p.m. and is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Bunting teaches regular classes at Zenergy as well as at the Y. Zenergy has several yoga instructors with a variety of classes including hot yoga.
At the Y, members and non-members can enjoy several classes in its Spirit Studio, including all-level weekly classes with Richard Odom. Punch cards and drop-in rates are available for members and nonmembers. In addition there are several other yoga instructors who teach Hatha and therapeutic yoga classes.
"People can really find their place," Caccia said. "And I love that you get to know everybody—it makes you feel a part of everything."
Other classes where people can drop in or take part with a one-time monthly fee are at High Altitude Fitness. Several classes are offered throughout the week in its yoga studio. Punch cards as well as daily, weekly, monthly and yearly fees are available.
"I always tell people at the Hailey Yoga Center there is a pose you can do every day," Caccia said. "I love hosting guest teachers, and world-class or nationally recognized teachers will come and take us deeper into our yoga practice."
Caccia wanted to create a center that would reflect the community and more clinical goals toward yoga and healing education. The Hailey Yoga Center also includes group acupuncture, community classes and all levels of yoga as well as prenatal classes and gentle and restorative yoga.
"I am a yoga nerd and love it," Caccia said. "It was love at first pose."
The Hailey Yoga Studio is also available for rent. Past uses have included hula-hoop classes and weekend workshops such as gyrokinesis.
Hailey Yoga Center’s Cathie Caccia has been teaching classes for over 20 years. Photo by David N. Seelig
