From the Himalayas to the mat PCYC’s Lindsay Witz-Maloney

Park City Yoga Collective's Lindsay Witz-Maloney. Photo: Park City Yoga Collective

PARK CITY, Utah — For Lindsay Witz-Maloney, yoga isn’t just a physical practice; it’s a way of life deeply intertwined with her global experiences, sense of adventure, and commitment to mindfulness. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Witz-Maloney arrived in Park City in 2014 after a transformative summer in the Himalayas.

“I wanted a change from Chicago, and the Park City mountains were calling,” she said. Eleven years later, she’s found her community here and cherishes the outdoors with her 4-year-old son, Ryder, particularly during the city’s vibrant summer season.

Witz-Maloney’s journey into yoga began over 15 years ago. “Yoga has been an incredible physical practice, but more importantly, it’s essential for my mental health.” Her approach has evolved over time, favoring slower, meditative styles. This passion led her to become a licensed massage therapist in 2018, where she developed a fascination with fascia and myofascial release after dissecting a human cadaver in a lab.

At Park City Yoga Collective, Witz-Maloney teaches two B-Side classes. On Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., her Yin + Myofascial class combines foam rollers and therapy balls to target the fascial system of the body. “When the connective tissue is stuck, it loses its elasticity and dries out. Myofascial release helps rehydrate and mobilize these tissues, reducing pain and improving range of motion,” she explained.

On Thursdays at 3:00 p.m., she offers Yin + Restorative Yoga, focusing on long-held stretches to strengthen and mobilize joints, tendons, and ligaments. “Both classes are a retreat inward,” she said. “I want to give people permission to chill, be present, and accept where they are in the moment.”

Beyond the studio, Witz-Maloney’s life has been shaped by her global travels. A study abroad program at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, introduced her to Northern India, where she taught English to Tibetan refugees. This experience left a lasting impression, leading her to return to the region in 2014. That summer, she volunteered at an orphanage and took a motorcycle journey across the Himalayas to Ladakh, where she attended a 10-day initiation led by the Dalai Lama. “It was a life-altering experience,” she said, describing how she deepened her understanding of Tibetan culture and yoga practices.

Although it’s been years since her last trip to India, Witz-Maloney dreams of returning one day, this time with her young son. “I’m itching to go back,” she said. “I want to bring my boy, but he’s too little now.”

Through her yoga practice and teaching, Witz-Maloney continues to blend her adventurous spirit and desire to help others. Whether on the mat or reflecting on her travels, her story inspires curiosity, connection, and a deeper awareness of life’s possibilities.