Since we’re all spending so much time at home, why not embrace the comfort and warmth — two defining characteristics of hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) — that encompass this holiday season? The Danish word stems from the feeling of contentment and well-being we can experience cozied up by the fire with loved ones, or while surrounded by plants in the outdoors. Hygge is an art, and the YOGA + Life® team worked extra hard to embrace it this season.

Kim Fuller

Co-Owner + Editor-in-Chief

“One of the things I love most about living in the mountains is how much I can create the content and cozy feeling of hygge so distinctly. I love getting outside in nature any time of year to move my body, so then I can come back home and get all settled in with a book, project or warm meal. I also love candles and light them everywhere — my desk, throughout our home and outside on our deck. Winter is obviously such a perfect time to create hygge, especially during the holidays, and this season I plan to fill many days with ski touring followed by quality hygge time at home.”

Bobby L’Heureux

Co-Owner + Director of Partnerships

“The ultimate day of hygge starts with snow. We wake up early and skin up the mountain for some fresh turns followed by brunch at our favorite spot. The rest of the day is spent in our cozy mountain chalet tidying and preparing a delicious soup. A few adult beverages and some chess. Capped off with some cuddle time with our pup.”

Jack Muffin

HR Director

“I try to create hygge every possible moment of every day. Once I have satisfied my hunger with breakfast and I celebrate my life and the meal by rolling my head into the carpet, I am ready to hygge. I get to my office and say hi to my friends in the building, Moose and Diesel. Then I settle into my desk (bed) — it is the one with my name on it. I always strive for perfect warmth and happiness with my humans. I turn into bit of a monster around 4:30 p.m. until I am fed dinner. Again, I love to celebrate the meal. Now I am ready to prepare the couch for my evening nap and snuggles before bed. We should all try to hygge every day.”

Lexi Reich

Managing Editor

“My favorite part of the day is cozying up with a warm blanket and an herbal brew as it gets dark outside. Embracing the light with soothing candles and fairy lights in my room allows me to really embrace the winter season. I’m grateful for big novels and my lovely roommate for helping me cultivate hygge in my home.”

Lauren Farrauto

Assistant Editor

“While hygge can most easily be identified by fluffy blankets and the soft glow of candle light, the true meaning of the Danish word encompasses so much more than that. Hygge is the comfort, warmth and happiness you feel in specific moments. Sure, material things can aide this process, but hygge is most accurately achieved through quality time spent doing something you love. A hygge moment for me is curling up with a good book in my fuzzy socks under a huge blanket with classical music on in the back. In this setting, I feel an abundance joy and serenity; being cozy heightens the experience of diving into a new story. But hygge isn’t always a solitary activity either. My parents and I always play games together while we eat dinner. This quality time, accompanied by laughter and a home-cooked meal, makes me feel loved and safe. For me, this is what hygge is truly about.”

Kaitlin Emig

Editorial Intern

“I’ve been known to fall asleep by the fireplace probably because I was in a deep state of hygge. For me the fireplace brings hygge into my home. From October through March, my yoga mat permanently lays ready for stretching, meditating or sitting by the fire. In the cold and dark months of Canada the light and warmth of the fire keep my spirits up and my house warm. Even a campfire has the same integrity of bringing a comforting feeling to the darkness while gathering outside. Fire brings us closer together because it creates heat to keep us warm at night, warm meals to share, and a place to tell our stories at the end of a long adventure.”

Becca Saulsberry

Graphic Designer + Contributing Writer

“A hot mug of cocoa after a full day of sledding, skiing or hiking in the snow hits a certain spot. Sunbathing on a lazy Sunday morning feels so right. Oddly enough, reading silently beside a loved one who is also reading gives me an unparalleled sense of satisfaction. Hygge is anything that creates a warm, fuzzy feeling, butterflies in the stomach, a desire for everything to stay exactly how it is for a little while. It appears when gathering friends and family for home-cooking, arts and crafts, a jam session, game night, or a movie. We notice it in our appreciation of the small things, like the smell of coffee in the morning or the color of the sky. It’s another way to find joy in our lives.”

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels.