It’s Yoga in the Sky on the Highroller

Michele Di Palma strikes a pose–the Yoga kind–on the High Roller…

For as long as I’ve been going to Vegas, each trip I like to try something new. A new restaurant, show, club or experience. For me, this spices up my getaway and helps quench my thirst for adventure. On my recent Vegas vacation, I took my desire for something new to the sky–actually to the High Roller to be exact. Even though the giant wheel’s been spinning for a couple of years now, I had yet to step foot in a pod and give the High Roller a go.

I read an article in Las Vegas Magazine on a new yoga class being offered on the High Roller through the group, Silent Savasana. Perfect! I love yoga and what a great way to jazz up a go-round on the world’s tallest observation wheel. Plus, with all the food and cocktail indulging I’d been doing, a little exercise and meditation was just what I needed.

Registering for the class was easy. I called the number for group sales, and although reservations typically need to be made 24 hours in advance, there happened to be an opening for the 7 pm sunset class that night. Alright, I’m not going to sugarcoat it, yoga on the High Roller is expensive. The one hour class was going to set me back $85. But I figured for a one-time special treat I would bite the bullet. Besides, I could always win that money back in the casino later, right? *wink*

I arrived at the High Roller about 20 minutes before the class started and met the instructor, Markie, and the other participant in the class, a friendly visitor from England. We were given headsets to wear during the class and High Roller water bottles filled with ice water to take home as souvenirs. The headsets block out all noise except for the voice of the instructor and the music she played during the class. This helps to keep you in the moment and make the yoga experience more peaceful.

We followed Markie through the hall and out to our pod.

Once inside, we rolled out the yoga mats waiting for us and class began. Okay, I do love yoga, but maybe I have too busy a mind or just a terribly short attention span. Typically my thoughts in class vary from wondering how much time is left (how can I have 45 more minutes of this-I feel like I’ve been here forever!) to whatever I’m going to eat as soon as it’s over–to wondering if I put my phone on silent–and then debating if I need a pedicure now or if my toes can wait a week. That said, I had none of those thoughts during yoga on the High Roller.

I loved watching the strip slowly drift by out the windows as we stretched out our muscles and breathed out all the stress of the day. Being a sunset class, we were privileged to have the best view in Vegas as the lights turned on for the evening; bringing to life the energy and excitement of the strip at night. The view from the High Roller was a unique perspective that I hadn’t before experienced. Seeing the strip stretch from the curved towers of Wynn and Encore on the north side, Caesar’s Colosseum and the graceful Bellagio fountains near the center and the whimsical view of New York, New York, Excalibur and the light from the Luxor on the south made for an inspiring skyline.

The yoga class itself was gentle and flowing–perfect for all levels and challenging enough to keep me focused. The High Roller offers a smooth ride, but every so often there was just enough movement of the pod to add some intensity to a balancing pose. We took a break at the top of the second turn and spent a few minutes taking photos of the gorgeous view. Throughout the class, our instructor focused on a message about accepting people’s differences and realizing we’re all on our own journey. Not lost on me, this reminder did actually help me navigate the crowds on the street with a little more gratitude and acceptance on the walk back to the hotel after class.

Because of the cost, yoga in the High Roller won’t be added to my Vegas must-do list, but I am glad I did it this time. It was a fun experience and gave me a great sense of accomplishment for trying something new and sneaking in some more fitness to my trip. Plus, the view of the strip turning from day to night is a sight I will not soon forget. Namaste!

[Photos: Michele Di Palma]

Michele Di Palma

Michele’s love affair with Vegas began on her first trip in 2000 and is still going strong. When in Vegas, you can typically find her at the pool, a show or shopping and gambling her way up and down the strip. Michele enjoys working out, a stiff cocktail on a Friday night and a great pair of shoes.