Welcome to our new Move Outdoors series, where we highlight individuals who inspire others to get outside and connect with nature through movement and exercise. Know someone who we should feature? Email news@bcparksfoundation.ca.

Meet JAY FROM Jay Molloy Yoga

I am from Dublin, Ireland and currently live in the wild and wonderful Northern B.C. with my fiancé. Prior to moving North, we spent a few years in South-West B.C. exploring the coastal mountains. I teach and study yoga and meditation and am strongly draw to nature, adventure and the wilderness.

Getting outside

My partner and I embrace every season B.C. has to offer: trail running and mountain biking in the spring/autumn; snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter; hiking, canoeing, fishing and camping in the summer. Each of these activities brings us to different parts of nature and it’s always mesmerising to watch how it transforms from season to season.

Bullmoose Falls, Tumbler Ridge. Photo by Jay Molloy

Favourite places to go for outdoor adventures

Our favourite place in Northern B.C. for all-year-round adventures is Tumbler Ridge. Although it is a small town, it is surrounded by heaps of well-marked and maintained trails for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. It’s also home to all kinds of wildlife and discoveries of dinosaur fossils have very recently been made in the area.

Our favourite Northern provincial park is without a doubt Monkman Provincial Park. We think this is the North’s best kept secret! Not only is the trail historical, the many waterfalls located in this park are some of the most magnificent we’ve ever seen.

The Cascades at Monkman Provincial Park. Photo by Jay Molloy

Another great area that is accessible to a range of campers is Gwillim Lake Provincial Park. This park is located on a lake which is ideal for boating (motorized and non-motorized), fishing, wildlife viewing and is close to some breath-taking walks, hikes and waterfalls.

Jay Molloy Yoga

Jay Molloy Yoga was set-up to fuel both my love for the outdoors and yoga. It is a space where I share my inspirations from the yoga teachings and nature and how they can apply to day-to-day life. It is a creative space for me to share my life’s lessons, learnings, perspectives and views, as well as snapshots of the spaces I have been fortunate to explore.

Gwillim Lake Provincial Park. Photo by Jay Molloy

On practicing yoga outdoors

I have both taught and practiced yoga outdoors (mainly the summers here in Canada) and it is truly a unique experience. I find with outdoor yoga the spaces are often a lot bigger than the studios so there are more people and therefore often a larger energy exchange. It’s also a very grounding experience being so close to the earth and the elements.

I am seeing more and more outdoor yoga classes pop-up around towns and cities so I strongly urge anyone who has never tried to give it a go…and if it’s on grass, no worries if you forget your mat!