Ancient stone carvings of asanas, or body postures, in the Indus Valley, and early Sanskrit texts, reveal yoga’s roots as an exercise in the pursuit of enlightenment. Contemporary teachings sprang from the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, where Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda introduced the practice and its philosophies to the Western world. Its use has evolved into means of muscle sculpting and stretching, with spinoffs incorporating aerobic work and even elements of antigravity, but most forms still stress the modality’s meditative effects.
In Greater Palm Springs, yoga classes run the gamut. Morning sessions place practitioners outdoors before the heat hits amid a divine landscape of swaying palms and golden peaks. Restorative approaches emphasize personal healing. Some require upside-down acrobatics, and others aim to quench thirst — with wine. (And why not? It’s a languid resort town, right?)
Find your path to inner peace — and, in some cases, killer abs! — at these local yoga meetups.
Aerial Yoga
Palm Springs
Yoga “silks” (essentially, hammocks) support body weight, ease pressure, and improve mobility. All levels benefit from this therapeutic mix of acrobatics
and antigravity asanas.
Yoga Bliss; yogablissps.com
Super Chill Restorative
Palm Springs
Combining soothing breathwork and elements of restorative yoga, this class works toward complete mind-body relaxation and healing. Peace Love Yoga; peaceloveyogapalmsprings.com
Yoga in the Park
Palm Springs
Donation-based classes at Ruth Hardy Park begin early. Sessions include flowing postures to awaken and warm up the body followed by poses that promote balancing, stretching, and strengthening. Power Yoga; poweryogapalmsprings.com
PHOTOGRAPH BY GREATER PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION & VISTORS BUREAU: DUSTI CUNNINGHAM PHOTOGRAPHY
Yoga in the Park
Trapeze Yoga
Palm Springs
Palm Desert
Prior athletic experience preps you for inversion on the trapeze. Develop your core, strengthen the upper body, and counteract back pain. Bikram Yoga Plus Coachella Valley; coachellayoga.com
Experience the Hope in Healing
Rancho Mirage
Suitable for those in recovery or who have experienced trauma, this group session focuses on breath awareness, contemplation, and gentle movements and also includes applications of essential oils. Desert Yoga Therapy; desertyogatherapy.com
Vino & Vinyasa
Indian Wells
A private class for groups of two or more pairs flowing movements with “wine tasting, done with consciousness,” for the ultimate journey of the senses. Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa; hyatt.com
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF HYATT REGENCY INDIAN WELLS RESORT & SPA; BARBERSTOCK
Vino & Vinyasa
Full Moon Yoga
Indian Wells
Define your intentions for the coming lunar cycle in an alfresco evening of meditation and gentle yoga lit by candles, the full moon, and the stars. Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa; miramonteresort.com
Yoga Hike
La Quinta
A fitness walk through La Quinta Resort’s Mountain Course culminates with a 20-minute yoga session in the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains. La Quinta Resort & Club; laquintaresort.com
Balance, Flexibility, Strength & Core
La Quinta
This well-paced power session helps to develop range of motion and physical strength with an emphasis on working abdominal muscles to reinforce balance. Evolve Yoga; e-volveyoga.com