During February, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is offering special events which promise an escape from the chilly weather and gray skies outside. The aquarium will host its monthly Yoga With the Sharks class and the Kisses and Fishes Valentine’s Day celebration. Both of these events allow visitors to experience another side of the aquarium and see it in a different light.

The monthly Yoga With the Sharks class will be held on Feb. 6. "This is probably one of our most popular events," said Zoe Little, events manager. “It’s a very unique opportunity.”

The yoga classes are held in the Oceans Ballroom where one wall provides a view into the 300,000 gallon shark habitat. Led by an instructor, participants engage in meditation and yoga exercises as several different species of sharks along with sea turtles and stingrays glide by. The experience is one of peace and serenity. “A lot of people can connect with water in that space,” Little said.

The Yoga With the Sharks program began in 2017. Yoga teacher Amanda Jones initiated the class after visiting the aquarium and discovering that watching the sea creatures with her young son gave her feelings of peace and calm.

Karmel Harper, associate director of marketing and public relations, noted that many people find “a little moment of peace” in watching animals in their aquatic habitats. “It’s such a beautiful space. It reminds us of our connection to the environment and animals,” she said. Spending a whole hour watching the sharks, stingrays and sea turtles while engaging in yoga movements encourages mindfulness as well.  

The yoga classes are geared to all skill levels and are suitable for beginners. The hour-long sessions begin at 6:30 p.m., but participants may arrive as early as 4 p.m. to experience all that the aquarium has to offer. The ticket price, which is $20 for aquarium members and $25 for nonmembers, includes aquarium admission. Participants must bring their own yoga mats.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, the aquarium will once again host the Kisses & Fishes Valentine’s Day event from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. “This is one of our only public events that is for guests aged 21 and over,” Little said. “Sometimes it’s nice to enjoy the aquarium without kids.”

The Kisses & Fishes event also allows guests to see a different side of the aquarium. “The nocturnal animals will be awake,” Harper said. Many of the animals in the Journey to South America wing will be stirring about such as the sloths and porcupines.

All kinds of activities appealing to a wide variety of interests are planned for the evening. There will be a plant walk where guests can learn about the aquarium’s collection of flora. Guests can play trivia games and win prizes. Tables will be set up where guests can learn fascinating facts about plants and animals such as “toxic traits.”

There will also be activities that tie in with Valentine’s Day themes of romance. Guests may gain insight into their relationships with tarot card readings or have a poem composed for them on the spot. Live music will fill the halls and there will be plenty of food and drink.

Harper noted that the event is “open dress.” “People wear everything from jeans to ballgowns,” she said.

Guests will be required to show ID at the door and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at the event. Tickets for the Kisses & Fishes Valentine’s Day event will be $55.95 for aquarium members and $59.95 for nonmembers.  

Both the Yoga With the Sharks and the Kisses & Fishes Valentine’s Day events relate back to the aquarium’s central mission to educate and inspire visitors to become better stewards of the planet. At the aquarium, people have the opportunity to interact with animals from all over the world. “We hope to inspire people to take action to save them,” Harper said.

Tickets to these events and more information about visiting Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is available at www.thelivingplanet.com. It is located at 12033 Lone Peak Pkwy. The phone number is 801-355-3474.