Things to Do in Kingston

Life Yoga's passionate instructors share their expertise in a 1,200-square-foot studio with spacious, spa-inspired shower rooms and a practice space embellished with handmade fabric wallpaper. Students burn calories and release mental stress in small classes with helpful one-on-one attention: gentle Restorative Yoga, energizing Vinyasa Flow, and Hatha Fundamentals are just a few options. In the studio's lobby area, local businesses such as Rhubarb Paper Co. display their wares.

Already a trained yoga instructor, Erin Ball’s transformation into an aerial-silk tycoon began when she discovered circus performance at the Kingston Buskers festival in 2007, as mentioned by the Whig-Standard. She instantly fell in love with the airborne art form, and immediately enrolled in circus courses all across Canada and the United States. Now, Erin shares her passion for acrobatics at Twisted, a circus school that specializes in HoopDance, flexibility for aerialists, and Pilates.

Today, within the Loyalist Gymnastics Club, Erin works alongside skilled fitness and aerial instructors. The staff collectively teaches small groups of no more than 15 people how to flip, twirl, and spin using aerial silks, static trapezes, and aerial hammocks. Students are never pushed past their limits, and are encouraged to explore at their own pace as they learn each move elevated above precisely placed crash mats and squishy, accommodating clowns.

This kind of care and consideration has gained Erin praise from her patrons as well as the media, including the Kingston East News which said, "It's safe to say that Erin is comfortable with and well qualified to guide you in your aerial yoga practice."

S.M.A. Karate's owners, Robert and Michelle Patry, brandish black belts in shotokan-ryu and goju-ryu karate in addition to gold trophies gleaned from competitions around the world. Inside the duo’s 4,000-square-foot dojo, they help students of all skill levels build strength, focus, and balance through martial-arts instruction and personal training.

Ever-changing workouts keep sessions as fresh as a tuxedo made of dryer sheets as warriors amp up endurance and flexibility. In addition to teaching karate and kung-fu to adults and kids, instructors infuse the class schedule with other calorie-torching opportunities, such as kickboxing routines and Zumba dance parties.

Big Rideau Lake Boat Rental's owner, Heather Heins, has boating in her blood. Hundreds of years ago, her ancestor William Davidson was the first European to settle in New Brunswick, where he built and launched the region's first sailing vessel—the Miramichi.

Today, Heather continues in her forefather's footsteps, managing a fleet of watercrafts alongside her husband, Robert. Their kayaks and canoes skim across the lake's crystal clear waters, and their motorized pontoons and Sea-Doos roar past shores lined with pine trees, cottages, and sunbathing cacti on vacation. The Heinses also oversee an armada of seven houseboats that are outfitted with sleeping quarters, barbecue grills, and air conditioning, ideal for day trips or voyages down the Rideau Canal that last weeks at a time. For Heather, the pride of the fleet is a simple 23-foot houseboat, which she named Miramichi in honour of her ancestor's historic vessel.

The 18-hole Rock and Roll Golf course caters to the average golfer with play that allows for some challenge, but mainly encourages all members of the family to enjoy their round without too much frustration. Composed mostly of par 3s, the course plays over fairly level terrain scattered with trees and shrubbery, meaning golfers won’t have to adjust their swings to account for wild fluctuations in elevation or distracting mountain search parties. Rock and Roll Golf keeps all players hydrated with complimentary bottled water. After a round, foursomes and families can stick around and use the free picnic area, which features a propane barbecue grill, volleyball net, and basketball hoop.