Yoga in the Wild
My Hunt for the Ideal
It feels both subversive and divine to take off the hiking boots mid-hike and shavasana in nature. I am in search of awesome places to spread my yoga mat, where I can flow a bit and then sit. It's tricky to find ideal spots! I seek gorgeous settings to contemplate, with harmonious ambient sound. Preferably there's a bit of a hike, but it's gotta be in easy walking distance of parking. And it absolutely must be safe (cuz the whole point is to focus on nature... not on who might be sneaking up to steal stuff >.>). Ideally, the spot affords some privacy (or feels like it does at any rate). If you have any suggestions, email akapamalexander@gmail.com with your rec - I'd love to check it out! (Image: My photo of sunrise at Grandview, New River Gorge, WV, with OpenArt AI adding in the meditator... cuz I've always wanted to try an AI editor lol)
So Far
Clifton Beach, Lakewood, OH
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Shaker Heights, OH
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Shaker Heights, OH
A favorite spot for me and one of the first places I tried for proof of concept. No hike involved and not exactly private, but it's gonna be hard to beat it for it's combo of safety and gorgeousness
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Shaker Heights, OH
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Shaker Heights, OH
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Shaker Heights, OH
Gotta love it when a park has a dedicated Meditation Terrace! It was an easy walk from plenty of parking and it felt safe (if not particularly private). Ambient sound wasn't great unfortunately - definite traffic noise
Holden Arboretum, KirtlanD, OH
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Shaker Heights, OH
Holden Arboretum, KirtlanD, OH
If you like your nature well manicured, then Holden Arboretum is for you, and the Gardner Lakeside Terrace at Corning Lake is a great spot (if there aren't other people already there >.>). Very safe, but unfortunately lots of people noise (mowers, blowers, tour groups and traffic noise)