Vernon, BC Health and Fitness

With more than 40 years of yogic practice between them, Sonya and Jeff Thomlinson teach the methodologies of Kripalu yoga, which focuses equally on physical and meditative elements. Together, they run Trinity Yoga Center's teacher-training program, sharing the lessons they learned from many internationally recognized yogis such as Stephen Cope, Ana Forrest, and Shiva Rea. During daily classes at Trinity’s two locations, the teachers, in turn, reach out to beginning practitioners, aiding them in achieving perfect postures even as they reflect inward. Individual sessions focus on aspects of yoga such as core power, stress reduction, and candlelit meditation. Students leave class with calmer, more focused minds and increased levels of energy that occasionally result in them sneezing lightning bolts.

Catharine Goheen founded Dr. Specs Optical in Kelowna in 1987 to offer patients exquisitely crafted lenses at prices they could afford. Today at the high-tech optical lab, skilled technicians continue to churn out perfectly formed lenses in as little as one hour, with varieties ranging from simple uncoated prescriptions to polarized Drivewear lenses. The knowledgeable staff helps clients select from more than 2,000 varieties of frames, making recommendations based on face shape, lifestyle, and probability of being mistaken for a professor.

Dr. Specs give back to the surrounding community by donating eyeglasses once a year to churches, Rotary Clubs, and hospitals. During mission trips, the team helps disadvantaged communities live fuller, happier, and easier lives by supplying them with prescription glasses.

Aradia Fitness founders Christine Boyer and Tracy Gray used to cart a portable pole to different gyms in Tracy's Dodge Neon. Though acquaintances scoffed at their idea of teaching pole dance to inspire confidence and build muscle, the duo was determined to make the art available to everyday women. Thankfully, they had the business expertise and exercise know-how to back up their venture: Christina, a Pilates and yoga instructor, stood by pole fitness as a full-body conditioning method, and Tracy's experience as a figure skater and fitness instructor brought pizzazz to the routines. The pair's classes quickly sold out wherever that Dodge Neon went.

They've come a long way since then, having been featured in Canadian Business and Elle for their growing pole-fitness franchise. At Aradia Fitness studios throughout North America, guests of all backgrounds can practice the empowering pole spins, cardio dance steps, and stiletto heel swordplay of Christine and Tracy's curriculum. Every class and private party strives to connect pupils with their sensual side, bringing self-esteem and sinuous moves to spotlight.

Inside a steamy studio, the experienced yogis at Bikram Yoga Westbank spend 90 minutes leading students of all skill levels through a series of 26 poses developed by Bikram Choudhury. Bikram brought his system from India to the U.S. at the request of the American Medical Association. Since then, he founded the Yoga College of India and has taught both actors and athletes. During each class, poses massage internal organs, stimulate nervous systems, and release deficient enzymes and hormones—a process that brings balance to the body, increases flexibility, and enables the average person to sleep inside a sock drawer.

Adventure Forever's certified mountain guides and first-aid responders enlighten beginning outdoorspeople and seasoned aficionados alike on the intricacies of ice climbing, rock climbing, and easy to difficult day hikes. During full-day treks and lessons, guides escort troupes of thrill seekers up frozen faces and climbing courses, plying their clientele with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle Mother Nature's vertical labyrinths. Each experienced guide carries years of wisdom, capably leading participants through regions stretching across Canada, the United States, and Middle Earth.

Only 15 minutes from Penticon, BC, Twin Lakes Golf Course stretches out over 285 acres of valley terrain, nestled among mountain slopes thick with deciduous trees such as firs and pines. The 18-hole, par 72 course takes advantage of its scenic surroundings by challenging golfers with elevated tees, which players summit with the help of shoes equipped with either cleats or spider feet. A long, treacherous sand trap lurks along hole 16’s left side, earning it recognition as the course’s second most difficult hole—just on the heels of hole seven, whose own sand trap and narrowed fairway make it the most challenging on the course. Players warm up at a driving range with six hitting stations or the chipping and putting practice areas before swinging through the course, and they can drop by the restaurant afterward to sip a micro-brewed foamer on the patio and gaze out at the players cartwheeling across the grass on holes 1, 9, and 10.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Length of 6,867 yards from the farthest set of tees
• Course 71.9 rating of from the farthest set of tees
• Slope rating of 125 from the farthest set of tees
• See the scorecard