Yoga classes are exploding across the nation.
It seems like everybody’s doing it. All across the country, Americans are discovering the amazing benefits of taking a few yoga classes a week. Even those who never thought themselves very spiritual or flexible are turning into some of the most enthusiastic yogis.
And while the yoga trend is gaining traction countrywide, some cities are way ahead of the curve. These cities stand out as exceptional places for you to find yoga classes and become part of the yoga community. Is your city listed?
San Francisco, CA
San
Francisco is on the frontier of holistic wellness, and yoga plays a role. One
of the healthiest cities in the nation, San
Francisco offers yoga classes in a diverse variety of settings. There are
traditional studios, outdoor classes, festivals — even San Francisco’s
International Airport hosts a yoga studio for devotees looking to get their
daily fix.
San Francisco’s reputation draws aspiring yogis and yoginis, as well as veteran teachers. The sheer volume and variety of yoga practices make this city one of the best for yoga. The city also has a rich tradition for authentic spiritual practices and the healing arts, so yoga is much more than just a trendy way to exercise in this city.
New York, NY
Although
it might seem contradictory at first glance, New Yorkers are embracing yoga in droves as a way to cultivate
wellness, grow spiritually, and relieve day-to-day stress. Yoga classes abound
in many different styles and settings. You can find everything here — from
exclusive, high-dollar classes to community studios that welcome all and operate
on voluntary contributions.
The focus of New York’s yoga classes is just as varied: you can find high-minded, esoteric practices, and you can find groups devoted to easing chronic pain or combating sports injuries. Like San Francisco, New York’s diversity and long history of embracing different cultural and spiritual practices makes it a prime hub for yoga in the US.
Asheville, NC
Though
it’s a lot smaller than the above coastal giants, Asheville can stand toe-to-toe with any city for the best yoga
classes in the country. Spiritual voyagers and health gurus of all kinds
converge in this beautiful mountain enclave, making it an epicenter for yoga
and other alternative methods of wellness and spiritual practice.
One of Asheville’s advantages is that it is a great draw for yogis and yoginis who practice and teach yoga more out of love and devotion than for any other motive. Although we don’t frown on any type of yoga practice, you are more likely to find integrated, holistic approaches in Asheville that teach overall healthy living and spiritual awareness.
And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that Asheville is home to Three Minute Egg ®. It’s where the yoga-lovin’ Eggheads live, work and practice their craft. Asheville inspires us.
Boulder, CO
It
would be a mistake to call Boulder “up and coming,” but practicing yoga in this
mountain city has many of the same advantages as doing yoga in Asheville.
Despite the presence of many renowned teachers in the downtown area, Boulder’s yoga scene maintains an atmosphere
of community and camaraderie.
Boulder successfully mixes many different cultural strains, and that’s reflected in the people you meet in its yoga classes. The wonderful thing is that this eclectic mix blends into a stable harmony. Athletes, students, spiritual teachers and entrepreneurs live side-by-side and often do yoga together — a testament to the yoga friendliness of this city.
Image sources:
- Photo 1 San Francisco
- Photo 2 New York City
- Photo 3 Asheville (Three Minute Egg)
- Photo 4 Boulder, CO