Asheville's Best Outdoor Yoga & Meditation Destinations
If you’re like us, autumn is the peak time of the year for getting outside and breathing in the crisp, fresh mountain air. As the leaves vibrantly change colors and we immerse ourselves into delightful sweater weather here in Asheville, North Carolina, we are excited to share our favorite outdoor yoga experiences with you! We have collected our favorite outside yoga classes and experiences as well as our favorite places to go for a solo adventure in yoga and meditation. Get outside and enjoy the cozy weather this fall - morph gracefully into a new season and refresh your mind, body, breath and spirit connecting in nature.
Asheville Outdoor Yoga Classes:
If you’re looking for an outdoor yoga experience with some of the leading teachers and locations in the Asheville area, continue reading below!
Namaste in Nature
Various locations in Western North Carolina
Book in advance!
Namaste in Nature offers beautiful mountaintop and waterfall yoga hikes in some of the most scenic locations around Asheville. We offer three styles of yoga hikes to suit our students and their schedules:
Mountain Views - Sign up for an express yoga hike (up to 2 hours) with mountain views on the Blue Ridge Parkway and still be a skip away from downtown.
Most Popular - Enjoy a longer hike to a relaxing, 100-foot waterfall in the forest (up to 3 hours) at the closest waterfall to downtown.
Deluxe Triple Waterfall - Get a triple waterfall experience with the longest hike (approx. 4 miles and up to 4 hours) while you reconnect with yourself, nature and the beauty surrounding Asheville.
Other mountaintop experiences available upon request (see all five options on our contact form) as well as Yoga at Your Place if you’d like the guides at Namaste in Nature to come to you and your private event. See the website or social pages for more information on booking and locations!
Website:
https://www.namasteinnature.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/namasteinnatureavl/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/namaste_in_nature/
Yoga in the Park Asheville; Lead by Ceiara Cartony on Sundays
Yoga in the Park Asheville
Sundays at Carrier Park
1:30PM-2:45PM
Ceiara Cartony offers an all-levels Hatha flow overlooking the French Broad River on a sliding scale from $5 to $10. Her class begins with a brief meditation and philosophy to contemplate, moving into a slow to moderate paced flow. Expect a beautiful finish in savasana while you soak up the benefits from your movement practice in meditation.
For more information, check out Ceiara’s website, Facebook page and event page below!
Website:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/YogaintheParkAsheville/
RSVP to:
Goat Yoga at Franny’s Farm in Leicester, NC
Goat Yoga Asheville
Franny’s Farm in Leicester
Private Bookings
Franny’s Farm is an organic farm located just west of Asheville and offers GOAT YOGA (yes, we mean real goats!) by private request for the rest of the 2019 season. Gather your animals (friends) and find your zen with baby goats in an interactive, beginner-friendly yoga experience. Mats can be rented for $5 or you can bring your own.
For more information on booking and cute photos of goats, visit the Franny’s Farm website or Facebook page!
Website:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/goatyogaasheville/
Bookings:
Asheville Yoga Center fundraises for local non-profits at Pack Square Park
Asheville Yoga Center
Yoga in the Park - Pack Square Park
Donation-Based
Though their 2019 season has ended, keep Yoga in the Park in mind for next season at Reuter Terrace in Pack square park on Saturdays from 10 AM - 11:30 AM. The donation-based proceeds go to Asheville-based non-profits, Homeward Bound and United Way.
Studio Website:
Event Page:
https://www.youryoga.com/2019-yoga-in-the-park/
Asheville Yoga Festival (LoveShinePlay)
July 23-26, 2020
Downtown Asheville
Mark your calendars for the next Asheville Yoga Festival happening here in our own downtown. The festival provides not only an opportunity to deepen our connection with outdoor yoga with classes held at various stages around town, the 2020 event offers more than 40 world-class presenters and musicians. You will be inspired by the yogic community and immerse into the healing all at once.
To learn more about the presenters, activities and the mission the festival offers in 2020, visit their website:
https://www.ashevilleyogafestival.com/
For 2020 ticket information:
https://www.ashevilleyogafestival.com/tickets
Asheville’s Best Self-Practice Yoga Destinations:
Local advice is here! If you are looking for a beautiful and inspiring haven for manifesting your own yoga, meditation, journaling and/or reflection experience, you won’t be disappointed by visiting one or all of our following favorites in the Asheville area!
Tennent Mountain / Art Loeb Trail at sunset
Tennent Mountain
Art Loeb Trail
Accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Tennent Mountain is my personal favorite meditation spot in the area. The enormous view is not only humbling but breath-taking at 6,040 feet in elevation. It will be the second bald mountain following the Art Loeb Trail from the Black Balsam Parking Lot. Not only will your destination be a stunning, 360-degree panoramic view but your entire hike in will be filled with heavenly views. First, take a stop at the first bald mountain you come to called Black Balsam. Continue onward along the Art Loeb Trail and find yourself at Tennent Mountain with an open expanse and campsites perfect for doing yoga or meditation.
Yoga Tip: At the peak of Tennent, you will find a grassy circle across the trail from the Tennent Mountain signage - perfect for laying down your mat and taking in the view.
Directions and more information:
https://ashevilletrails.com/blue-ridge-parkway/black-balsam-knob-tennent-mountain-loop/
View from John Rock overlooking Looking Glass Rock
John Rock
Pisgah Forest
If you seek a trail less traveled, the out-and-back experience to John Rock may be the serenade for you. The trail begins on the left side of the parking lot at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education near Brevard. Once you arrive at John Rock, you’ll find a rocky clearing and cliffside with plenty of room to lay out your mat and observe the iconic Looking Glass Rock in the near distance. Breathe it in and relax into your meditation with a destination less traveled.
Yoga Tip: There’s a cradle-lie dip in the ledge toward the center of the rock that is a perfect, flat area for your practice.
Directions and more information:
https://www.exploreasheville.com/stories/post/john-rock-trail/
Graveyard Fields
Blue Ridge Parkway
Admittedly, Graveyard Fields is one of the most popular destinations along the parkways but for a good reason! The beautiful trek begins at the Graveyard Fields parking lot and descends a series of wooden steps into the luscious balsam and rhododendron valley. You will make several water crossings and will stumble upon a swimming hole. To escape the crowds and find your zen, head back up to the trail and continue ascending to the upper falls. At the upper falls, you will be at the top of a wide, cascading waterfall and there is a ledge (that makes you feel like Pocahontas) overlooking the drop of the falls and the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance.
Yoga Tip: Go to the upper falls and find the flat ledge. You can lay your mat here (where there likely will not be as many people) or sit in your meditation. Quiet, secluded, connected and expansive all at the same time.
Directions and more information:
https://ashevilletrails.com/blue-ridge-parkway/graveyard-fields-trail-waterfalls/
Asheville Botanical Gardens
Just North of Downtown
The destination for staying close to town! The Botanical Gardens of Asheville are non-profit and are open daily with free admission (though, donations are most appreciated). The gardens feature over 600 species of plants native to the area! At the botanical gardens, you will find a most meditative experience whether you leisurely walk the easy-graded trail, sit by the stream or plant your mat next to the flowers. Located biking distance from downtown, you can get your exercise as you cycle, strap on your yoga mat for a flower-side flow, and let yourself go into a deep riverside meditation to shape a beautiful day.
Website:
https://ashevillebotanicalgardens.org/
Support the gardens:
https://ashevillebotanicalgardens.org/support/
Nature-Themed Yoga Videos
If you are longing for a deeper connection with nature but your busy schedule doesn’t allow for a trip out to the mountains, check out our nature-themed yoga video series! Pop one of these on in the comfort of your own home and flow into the wind.
