5 Great American Yoga Escapes
Want a mind-body reboot closer to home? Dan Wilf, cofounder of Yogascapes, a company that curates 50 worldwide retreats annually, recommends these yogi hot spots in the States.
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Moab, Utah
An adventurer’s paradise that will inspire you to get present, Moab is also the perfect jumping-off point to explore some of America’s most iconic national parks.
Where to Stay: Under Canvas offers glamping tents minutes from the entrances of Arches and Canyonlands national parks.
Where to Eat: Jailhouse Café is a homey breakfast spot beloved by locals. Don’t miss the ginger pancakes with Dutch apple butter.
Where to Practice: Moab Yoga offers yoga and Pilates classes as well. Or check out one of the Yogascapes retreats happening in Moab this year.
What to Do: Tackle the challenging, 7.8-mile Devil’s Garden Trail in Arches National Park.
See also One With Nature: Readers Share Their National Park Yoga Poses
Napa Valley, California
This region may be better known for cult cabs and star-chef restaurants than health and wellness, yet it’s easy to balance out daily indulgences with hiking, biking, and asana—embodying mindfulness in action.
Where to Stay: Solage resort in Calistoga offers yoga and fitness classes, plus free bikes for cruising around wine country.
Where to Eat: The Charter Oak serves wood-fired dishes family style, in a cozy space with exposed brick walls and rustic wood tables.
Where to Practice: Yoga Passion has a strong community vibe and offers a mix of styles from Yin and Kundalini to vinyasa and power flow.
What to Do: The tasting room at St. Helena’s Clif Family winery offers cycling tours that end with a food-and-wine pairing.
See also Organic Wine? A Breakdown of What That Really Means
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
The westernmost region of Massachusetts oozes with New England charm (think a patchwork of bucolic farms, sleepy villages, and trail-lined forests), helping visitors effortlessly quiet down and look inward.
Where to Stay: Located in Stockbridge, the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health offers serene private rooms and dorm-style accommodations on its 150-acre campus.
Where to Eat: The elevated farm-to-table menu at Nudel, in downtown Lenox, includes dishes like grilled portobello with einkorn “risotto” and local artisinal cheese.
Where to Practice: Kripalu offers more than 700 programs a year, taught by renowned instructors like Rodney Yee and Rajashree Choudhury. Choose from teacher trainings and retreats or workshops and drop-in classes.
What to Do: Get your culture fix at the Norman Rockwell Museum or the Tanglewood Music Center, an outdoor concert venue and the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
See also 13 Yoga Retreats You Can Actually Afford in 2018
Charleston, South Carolina
Oak tree–lined cobblestone streets, amazing beaches, and genuine Southern hospitality make Charleston one of America’s most irresistible destinations. It’s also rumored to have more yogis per capita than any place outside of New York City.
Where to Stay: The 16 rooms at Zero George Street are spread among a series of historic homes and carriage houses.
Where to Eat: There’s no shortage of comfort food in this city. For something lighter, head to The Ordinary, a hip oyster bar from renowned chef Mike Lata.
Where to Practice: Charleston Power Yoga is home to some of the city’s top teachers. Adventurous yogis can Om on the water at Charleston SUP Safaris or get upside down in silks at Aerial Fit.
What to Do: Reflect on America’s somber and complicated history during a tour of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.
See also Yoga Pioneers: How Yoga Came to America
Marfa, Texas
Perched on the high plains of the Chihuahuan Desert, this small West Texas town has become a mecca for artists and creatives.
Where to Stay: Accommodations at El Cosmico, a funky hotel and campground, include vintage trailers, safari tents, Mongolian yurts, Sioux-style tepees, and various campsites.
Where to Eat: Food Shark, a vintage food truck that has earned a loyal following for its unique Middle Eastern dishes.
Where to Practice: The Well features a rotating cast of yoga and meditation instructors, and it also hosts classes during the annual Trans-Pecos Festival of Music and Love.
What to Do: Tour minimalist artist Donald Judd’s home while taking in his remarkable work at La Mansana de Chinati, informally known as The Block.
See also 12 Steps to Turn an Art Museum Visit Into Mindfulness Meditation
See also United States Yoga Travel