I think the reason I love yoga is that it goes against everything I’ve ever been taught about working out. Go at your own pace. Listen to your body. Stop and modify if it’s painful. Are you kidding me? In running, you push through the pain and limp for a while while crying on the inside like a winner.
But yoga is more than exercise. Yoga helps reconnect your body with your soul and rejuvenate your spirit..especially outdoor yoga. There’s something about building muscle and balance in the great outdoors just feels right. There are several places to practice outdoors in Southern California. Try one of these, but beware: it’s very addictive!
8 Best Southern California Outdoor Yoga Venues
1. YogaAqua – Marina Del Rey
Located at Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey, YogaAqua takes the mat out of the studio and into the water. Using an anchored stand-up-paddle-board, each student takes the first 30 minutes to get comfortable on the ocean and the last hour to do yoga. Students of all yoga levels are welcome.
2. Runyon Canyon – Hollywood
Runyon Canyon Yoga offers “socially separated” classes in the great outdoors. Donation based (suggested donation $5). Located at Runyon Canyon, Hollywood, California.
3. Griffith Park Yoga – Los Angeles
Humming birds, hawks and fresh air make Griffith Park Yoga a favorite in Los Angeles. Practitioners of all levels are welcome to join this outdoor park experience. The practice is donation-based, with a suggested donation of $10.
4. Yoga on the Beach – Huntington Beach
Daily classes offered at tower 14 on Huntington Beach. Yoga on the Beach is donation based. All levels of yoga welcome.
5. iHeartYoga – Dana Point
iHeartYoga Yogis in Dana Point flock to iheartyoga in Dana Point. A park overlooking the beach makes the perfect spot for fitness and reflection. In addition, iheartyoga offers classes on the ocean with stand-up-paddle-boards and yoga retreats to Mexico.
6. NamaSteve Yoga – Pacific Beach, San Diego
After experiencing the physical vitality and mental clarity produced by yoga, Steve, or NamaSteve was hooked. Always striving to live at his greatest potential, he teaches yoga to help other do the same. Steve teaches class on a cliff overlooking Pacific Beach. He calls his classes powerful, introspective and meditative. Sign me up!
7. Mission Beach Yoga – Mission Beach, San Diego
Practice on the mat or on the sea with Mission Beach Yoga. Attend trainings and workshops to take your physical practice to the next level while restoring inner peace. The instructors can create a training plan just for you.
8. Bird Rock Yoga Pacific Beach, San Diego
Located between Mission Beach and La Jolla, Bird Rock Yoga believes yoga is for everybody! Deepen your practice by attending a donation-based Vinyasa class Monday – Thursday. Bring a towel, mat and water. Classes offered for all levels of practice.
If you live in southern California, or you are visiting, give one of these classes a try. The best thing about yoga is that YOU are in control of your own practice. So, whether you’re into tree pose or corpse pose, you get to decide your own limits. And that’s pretty great!
