Yoga has come a long way since the days of dropping your mat on the floor of the local community centre. In fact, yoga has now become such a hugely popular and healing activity that even the travel industry has embraced it as a key attraction for a host of wonderful, whacky and fun vacations.
There are now lot of of unusual yoga classes around the world which inject some excitement into a typical yoga class. From yoga with fluffy kittens in San Diego to yoga in Denver’s premier music venue, check out the following range of classes and locations that allow attendees to relax, unwind and find their inner Zen. Namaste!
California, USA
Vineyard yoga in Santa Barbara
Vineyard Yoga SYV offers yoga enthusiasts an unforgettable experience in the Santa Ynez Valley; a class taken to the backdrop of rolling hills and miles of grapevines followed by a flight of wines. As the yoga opens up the senses, yogis can apparently experience the wine more deeply and enjoy the post-workout tipple. From $25 / approx. £19 per person.
www.santabarbaraca.com / www.vineyardyogasyv.com
Beach yoga in Huntington Beach
Listen to the calming sound of waves against the shore with a yoga class on the sandy beaches in Huntington Beach. Both individual and group classes are available every evening as the sun sets, allowing attendees to channel their inner Zen in a beautiful setting. From $15 / approx. £11 per person.
www.surfcityusa.com / sunandseahealing.godaddysites.com/yoga
Aerial yoga in SLO CAL (San Luis Obispo County)
Reach for the skies with an aerial yoga class in SLO CAL. Attendees hang from the ceiling in individual hammocks which are used as a prop to help perform different moves, build strength and improve flexibility. From $18 / approx. £13 per person.
www.slocal.com / www.sloyogacenter.org
Kitten yoga in San Diego
Travellers to San Diego can purr-fect their yoga poses with an adorable kitten yoga class. Run by the San Diego Humane Society, the lovable kittens play and meow whilst attendees enjoy a gentle yoga session. The cost of the class also goes towards finding permanent homes for the kittens. From $20 / approx. £15 per person.
www.sandiego.org / www.sdhumane.org
Paddleboard yoga in Newport Beach
Visitors can relax – and test their balance – on the calm waters of Newport Beach with a Bliss Paddle Yoga session. With no distractions to disturb inner peace, yogis can practice their balancing and breathing with knowledgeable instructors. From $39 / approx. £29 per person.
www.visitnewportbeach.com / blisspaddleyoga.com
Rooftop yoga in West Hollywood
Experience the healthy LA lifestyle atop one of West Hollywood’s most trendy hotels, Petit Ermitage, which offers guests complimentary yoga classes on the private rooftop every morning. The classes take place in the sunken outdoor Firedeck, offering a space to energise both body and mind, whilst taking in 360 degree views of the Hollywood Hills. Complimentary for guests.
www.visitwesthollywood.com / www.petitermitage.com
Storytime yoga in South Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe Yoga is situated on the lake’s spectacular south shore, offering classes for all ages and abilities with unique classes occurring at the studio, on the beach and on the water. The whole family can get involved, with the Happy Hour Yoga class for adults running in parallel with Yoga Storytime, where children can interact through story and play to learn about yoga asana, breathing and philosophy. From $17 / approx. £13 per person.
tahoesouth.com / www.laketahoeyoga.com
Park yoga in Greater Palm Springs
Throughout the summer months, visitors can head to the Wellness Park in Palm Springs every Saturday morning for a refreshing outdoor yoga class. The session is inspired by nature and aims to encourage all ages and abilities to experience the relaxation yoga provides. Cost is based on a donation basis.
www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com / poweryogapalmsprings.com
Elsewhere in the World
Goat yoga in Portland, Oregon
Visitors to Portland can try goat yoga. Here, yogis will hold poses as friendly goats wander and cuddle up to them, even jumping on their backs when they are lying face down. The goats’ calming nature is said to help with de-stressing while the class focuses on positive and happy vibes. From $35 / approx. £26 per person.
www.travelportland.com / www.goatyoga.net
Yoga on the rocks in Denver, Colorado
Travelling yoga fans can experience a downward dog at a mile high in one of the USA’s most iconic outdoor music venues, Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Surrounded by views of Denver and the plains, visitors can join up to 2,000 others at high altitude for a (literally) breath-taking sunrise yoga session. From $15 / approx. £11 per person.
www.colorado.com / www.redrocksonline.com/yotr
River yoga in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Spend four hours in Pittsburgh’s Lower Yough Gorge and combine yoga with rafting. The session involves fitness buffs rafting along the river and stopping at various points throughout for a yoga class. From $89.50 / £68 per person including raft, paddles, life jacket, helmet and lunch.
www.visitpittsburgh.com / wwaraft.com/lower-yough
Private island yoga in Setouchi, Japan
The Hotel Limani & Spa in Kuroshima, located in Japan’s Setouchi region, offers its guests a private yoga class on the secluded Nakanoshima Island. Visitors walk from Kuroshima to Nakanoshima along Venus Road, a sandy path only visible during certain tides. Following the calming walk, yogis will participate in the class before returning to the main island. From ¥4,500 / approx. £30 per person.
setouchitrip.com / www.limani.jp/activity/activity-yoga
Combine yoga with snorkelling on The Islands of Tahiti
Blow out in Bora Bora with a luxurious day trip, where visitors connect with nature by combing yoga and snorkelling. The day begins with a one-hour yoga class on a secluded motu, in front of beautiful views of Bora Bora, followed by snorkelling a secluded coral garden. From ₣75,935 / approx. £565 per person.
