A Minnesotan through and through, Minneapolis-based yoga conduit James Orione (he/him) shares his love of all things winter, his deep reverent practice for yoga nidra, and his thoughts on the importance of creating BIPOC-only spaces.
Laree: Tell us about yourself, James.
James: First and foremost, I am a parent in the best ways possible: a parent to myself, in addition to a parent to another person. I am an African American black man living in America. I am a son and a brother. I am a lover of life and winters in Minnesota. I am a student of yoga who shares things I’ve learned. Not to take away from the title of instructor, but I think it’s really important to remain a student. I like sharing lessons I’ve learned that could potentially help other people.
L: What was your first experience with yoga and what led you to share your teachings?
J: For a long time, I sought something but was not necessarily sure of what. After several explorations of music, meditation, and church stylings, my first experience with yoga that left a lasting impression was yoga nidra at One Yoga in Minneapolis. It blew my mind because the practice made me feel much lighter and more relieved than I had felt in my life. I immediately thought to myself, “What would it be like if a thirteen-year-old me had this practice? Where would this have taken me?” Obviously, the yoga nidra stuck, but I needed to understand what all of the practices were and I continued to explore from there. As I explored, I wanted to make sure I embodied the experience and the teachings. When I began to share what I learned, I wanted it to come from an authentic place, not from a rush to action. Yoga is a practice to be revered and held.
L: How does yoga support a harmonious life for you?
J: Yoga helps me locate where I am physically, emotionally, and/or mentally. I can’t be in harmony with the world if I am not in harmony with myself. Yoga helps me reflect when I am out of balance and is the constant dance of checking inside and outside to create harmonious relationships. It’s asking questions like: “What is my relationship like with the world, whether I’m considering connection with nature, family, or friends?”
L: You LOVE winter and lead fro-ga (outdoor winter yoga) classes in Minneapolis. Has this always been true for you? What brings you the MOST joy with winters in Minnesota?
J: The love of winter has been real for me since the great blizzard of 1991. I have vivid memories of hopping around in color changing moon boots, traveling through snow, and feeling so excited! A lot of people find the winter cold trying, but there is nothing like being up either late or early after it snows with no one else around. Going out to walk or bike in the snow is pure peace for me. Each January, I combine my love of winter and yoga to offer four fro-ga classes at The Art Shanty Projects: a pop-up art village on a frozen lake in Minneapolis. I lead yoga classes atop the frozen lake – hence, FRO-GA! I ground each class in a social/racial/climate justice theme. There is also a BIPOC-only session offered. It’s super important to provide space for BIPOC folks at an event like this because of the complicated American history around who can access certain physical locations. It’s also important because in the midwest, when you engage in outdoor activities (like hiking), those physical places are predominantly occupied by a white and seemingly homogenous demographic. Creating a space solely for the BIPOC community to move together outdoors may be a first-of-its kind experience for some folks!
To connect with James, head to bridgesthroughyoga.com. For more information on the 2025 Art Shanty Projects, visit artshantyprojects.org.
Laree Schouweiler finds herself positioned squarely in the heart of NE Iowa’s wellness community as a 500hr E-RYT, founder of the Driftless Yoga Center & its annual festival. Laree has upwards of 2,000+ hours of teaching expertise on the mat, yet she is adamant the true practice of yoga happens OFF THE MAT. When Laree isn’t motivating folks to stretch their ideas of ‘what is yoga’ from an equitable lens, you can find her trying to keep up with her three kiddos, seeking a quiet moment to enjoy with her husband or escaping to find movement for herself.
