Oak Harbor, WA Health and Fitness

Dr. Anita Narang of Island Eyecare uses a variety of advanced technologies to maintain the ocular health of her patients. Her practice's advanced equipment includes a visual field analyzer and retinal camera that catches signs of ocular disease and can detect whether a significant other has a wandering eye. In addition to performing routine eye exams, she and her staff can administer emergency services to those in need of urgent care. She is also able to perform exams in Punjabi for those not fluent in English.

As Dr. Narang helms the exam rooms, friendly, expertly trained staff members man the clinic’s showroom. The cheery crew is always available to answer questions about your contact lenses or help you select a flattering pair of frames and sunglasses from designer brands such as Versace and BCBG Max Azaria.

Each day, Bikram Yoga Westshore's certified instructors vaporize stress with deep breaths, warm personalities, and 105 degrees of therapeutic heat. Every 90-minute class revolves around 26 Hatha poses designed by Bikram Choudhury, an award-winning yogi who has helped celebrities such as Raquel Welch and Shirley MacLaine develop lean, lithe physiques. In addition to fostering strength and balance, the poses raise pulses for 20–25 minutes for a cardio workout that builds stamina.

Heat melts tension in muscles, fostering deeper, safer stretches, and induces sweating, so that toxins flee faster than a gazelle on roller skates. Nonporous, hypoallergenic floors ward off germs to prevent sneezes, and optional towel service keeps students dry and comfortable. After class, yogis can retire to the showers for an extra dose of relaxation, or search the studio's boutique for a yoga mat or spare parts to fix a broken nirvana.

The blue and white peaks of the Olympic Mountains overlook the greens at Metchosin Golf & Country Club, where westerly breezes from the Salish Sea stir the pompoms of golfers' hats. Fir trees and deciduous flora have grown up alongside the course's 2,760 yards for more than four decades. The nine-hole, par-34 layout consists mostly of par 4s. Sand traps hug the edges of the putting greens on holes 1, 3, 6, and 9, their coarse textures thwarting clubs and stupefying golfers with the geological miracle called sand.

Between Tuesday and Thursday, the course invites golfers to Nine and Dine during afternoons or evenings. The event pairs nine holes of golf with repast such as flat-iron steaks, pork back ribs, and vegetarian burgers.

Course at a Glance:

• Nine-hole, par 34 course
• Length of 2,760 yards from the farthest set of tees
• Course rating of 67.7 from the farthest set of tees
• Slope rating of 113 from the farthest set of tees
• See the scorecard

Whether paddling out on their own atop a rented board or within eyesight of a Paddle Canada–certified instructor, visitors to Epic Surf Co quickly lose themselves to the sound of seagulls and gently lapping waters. With the mist-covered mountains standing guard on the horizon, paddlers are regularly joined by the region’s natives such as eagles, river otters, and sea lions as they make their way past crescent-shaped beaches and coves.

Back on dry land, Epic Surf instructors sign guests up for lessons on the basics of standup paddleboarding, advanced skills, and SUP surfing. Techs within an onsite custom shop bring 23 years of experience to their board repair and artwork, and the surf shop showcases all the wares of their trade, including wetsuits and paddles that double as lances for on-the-water jousts. Guests can also take advantage of Epic’s new beach cruisers—bikes for both men and women.

At Newera Wellness Centers, co-owners Dewar and Jen McCarthy give special attention to the face with a variety of beautifying services. As an accountant, Dewar handles the business side of the center while Jen, a certified weight-loss coach and certified Finer Face therapist, handles the treatments. Jen helps stabilize insulin production by providing clients with adequate protein and low-sugar diet plans. She also performs nonsurgical Finer Face facial-rejuvenation treatments that use low-level microcurrents to even out complexions—a method that’s generally preferred over the use of Wite-Out, pencil erasers, or a firm commitment to walking backward forever.

The CTCMA-affiliated practitioners of Cosmetic Acupuncture Clinic of Victoria combat signs of aging through a three-pronged approach to facial rejuvenation including cosmetic acupuncture, a low-level current treatment, and a deep cleansing. Benefits include hydrated, healthier-looking skin due to increased circulation delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the epidermis. The centre's treatments may also stimulate the production of collagen, which, in turn, can firm skin, tighten pores, and diminish the appearance of fine lines too stubborn for a garment steamer. Alongside its signature facial, the office also offers traditional needle and laser acupuncture, BloodScan nutritional profiling, weight management, and nutritional counselling services.