In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Salt Spring Island-based company that specializes in headphone dance parties has pivoted to launch a unique form of yoga in Greater Victoria.
Silent disco yoga involves noise-cancelling headphones, a live DJ and outdoor spaces that accommodate proper physical distancing between participants. Dreamland Silent Disco recently partnered with Saanichton’s Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse to offer an outdoor exercise experience like no other.
“You really get more in tune with the instructor, so it’s a much more internal activity I would say than something that would be in a studio. And of course, being outside is a huge bonus as well,” said Lara Gordon, owner of Dreamland Silent Disco.
The silent disco yoga sessions are capped off at a capacity of 50 people per session. Most who attended this past Sunday, including the fill-in yoga instructor, were trying the new-age yoga for the first time.
“Environment says a lot for our practice. I think we pick up from our landscape quite a lot, with earth energy and the wind and having the sun shining down on us. Furthermore having the music is such an epic offering, ” said Kali Navada, the session’s yoga instructor.
Participants can go virtually anywhere in the orchard while listening to directions from the yoga instructor accompanied by background music.
“The headphones have a range of about five hundred metres without obstructions. So people can spread out through the entire orchard here. And also a forested area as well if people are looking for, like, a little bit more solitude and shade,” said Gordon, a Boston native who moved to Vancouver Island for its laid back reputation.
The hour-long sessions wrap up with a glass of cider, included in the price. Several attendees were pleased with the experience.
“The music that’s provided is really, like, really mellow and calming and works really well with the instructor’s direction and everything and follows the vibe and it’s just a really cool element,” said one participant.
“I was attracted to the fact it was outside, cause right now that feels safer so that’s great,” said another attendee of silent disco yoga.
The silent disco yoga sessions currently run every Sunday at Sea Cider Farm, but Gordon says she’s hoping to expand and search for different possible locations.
For more information on silent disco yoga, click here.
Kevin Charach
