The sky is the limit when yoga happens on skates, in a crater and with wild mustangs.
When the weather warms and you’re longing to deeply breathe in fresh mountain air, look no farther than Utah. Whether you are an advanced yogi or just searching for a new way to soak up the outdoors, you won’t believe the exciting range of options to om and ahh in and around Park City. Mountain asked several local experts about the power of yoga outside the walls of a studio.
“The sky, wind and air all add elements of freedom and freshness to a yoga practice. The sun and clouds bring new colors and light to everything you see around you. All of this together provides new ways to explore your own practice,” emphasizes Lindsey Marshall, owner and founder of Eventful Yoga in Park City.
Specializing in yoga practices that surround special occasions, Marshall notes, “Birthday parties, reunions and our favorite, bachelorette parties, are what often bring us to many of our mountaintop locations outside of a typical yoga studio setting. … And to explore this all surrounded by loved ones who have traveled together to celebrate makes each moment so special.”
An alfresco yoga practice also can lead to extra core strength, as uneven terrains often demand higher levels of concentration and effort, especially during balancing poses. When you’re in need of an extra, natural dose of vitamin D, soaking up some sunshine in a peaceful atmosphere is another reason an outdoor yoga session is an excellent choice.
“We need to be reminded that nothing is rushed in nature and that our own innate pace is directly connected to Mother Earth’s,” says Molly Craig, wellness supervisor for The Lodge at Blue Sky in Wanship. “The backdrop and ambiance created by nature’s beauty here in Utah changes season to season, even week to week, which supports unlimited creativity for designing unique outdoor yoga experiences. At Blue Sky, we’re fortunate to have 3,500 acres of nature’s incredible playground for our outdoor wellness experiences.”
David Belz, owner of The Shop Yoga in Park City, points to the importance of grounding, which happens when we make direct contact with a natural earth surface such as walking barefoot in the grass or lying down in the sand at the beach. “Since outdoor yoga is literally grounding your energy with the earth, it can be a game changer. When we’re practicing indoors, we are insulated from that benefit.”
We discovered a whole host of creative options for experiencing yoga in the outdoors in Park City, Midway, Salt Lake City and beyond.
Yoga Inside a Crater
One of many intriguing outdoor yoga options offered by Park City Yoga Adventures, these stand-up paddleboard yoga sessions take place inside Utah Crater, a gorgeous 10,000-year-old natural hot spring in Midway. Picture sparkling blue, mineral-rich waters naturally heated to 95°F and enclosed in an ancient limestone dome for a truly refreshing yoga experience.
Yoga On a Mountaintop at Sunrise
Flowing through sun salutes with Eventful Yoga while watching the sun climb up the sky is a truly memorable experience. “We climb up in the dark and early dawn hours so everything around you is sleepy and quiet. By the time you get to the top, the sun is just about to rise. Rolling the mats out and starting a practice while the sun is rising over the Unita Mountains is pure magic,” Marshall says.
Yoga Outside the State Capitol
During the summer, Salt Lake Power Yoga in Salt Lake City hosts State of Mind: Yoga at the Capitol on the southeast lawn. It’s free and suited for all levels and political persuasions. “If you’re looking for community and connection, this is an amazing outdoor yoga opportunity,” says Dillion Chase, co-owner of Salt Lake Power Yoga.
Yoga in an Alpine Forest
Imagine sensations of limitless freedom as you flow and hold weightless inversions with the help of yoga silks acting as hammocks in The Lodge at Blue Sky’s mystical alpine forest, Grove of Ganesh. “Practicing yoga outside invites guests to slow down and realign with nature’s rhythm. In our Soaring Yoga class, guests can enjoy anti-gravity yoga in hammocks hung from the trees,” explains Craig.
Yoga with a Puppy
If practicing yoga while surrounded by adorable rescue puppies sounds like a perfect way to unwind, check Arctic Rescue’s calendar of events. In conjunction with CorePower Yoga, this nonprofit holds Puppy Yoga at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City at various times in the year. All donations for the free event help with covering food, medical expenses, vaccines and costs to help find homes for their rescues, which are mostly huskies and malamutes.
Yoga in a Garden
The Shop Yoga hosts outdoor yoga classes in its beautiful courtyard surrounded by gardens. “Being out in the natural world has a way of heightening our senses, restoring our bodies and promoting a different sort of earth connection,” Belz explains.
Yoga on a Paddleboard
Park City SUP provides an invigorating outdoor opportunity to work your core while engaging in traditional poses on a stand-up paddleboard at Deer Valley’s Pebble Beach. Private and group options are available.
Yoga with Wild Mustangs
Red House Wellness is offering yoga with wild mustangs during July and September retreats. The sessions take place at Wild Heart Sanctuary, a nonprofit wild horse rescue organization in Park City. Instructors use a gentle Hatha yoga style designed to allow guests to connect with nature and the hearts of the Wild Heart Infinity Herd. Each member of this inspiring wild mustang herd has a unique rescue and survival story before finding safe haven at the sanctuary.
Yoga on a Rooftop
Don’t miss this opportunity to watch stunning sunsets over the valley with summer yoga classes on the rooftop deck of Salt Lake City Public Library. It’s free but registration is required.
Yoga on Skates
Elise Jones, a certified roller fitness instructor and creator of NamaSkate, combines yoga, strength and balance on roller skates or blades with music playlists designed to take participants back to the happy places of their youth. Roller Fitness classes are offered through her business Utah Yoga & Wellness in Midway, and locations range from outdoors at Millcreek Commons in Millcreek and indoors at Wasatch County Recreation Center in Heber City to various pop-ups.
Yoga with the Sharks
Loveland Living Aquarium in Draper in partnership with Yoga Six, offers SEArenity Yoga for all skill levels. Although it’s not technically an outdoor environment, yoga next to the shark tank or while listening to birds chirping in the rainforest exhibit sure feels outside the norm. Bring your own mat and plan to stick around as registration includes admission to the aquarium.
Remember to check the weather and schedules with your host’s websites before heading out and don’t forget your mat, water and sunscreen. Although Utah’s magical mountain environment can be sensational for outdoor yoga, the weather can be unpredictable, so times and locations are always subject to change.
