This past weekend, my friend Laura and I attended our very first Hikyoga class. Hikyoga combines yoga and hiking and is really the perfect socially-distant activity because you can really spread out and don’t need to be anywhere next to anyone.
Hikyoga has events across Cleveland, and across the country really. This class was at Edgewater Park - my neighborhood public part. I know this park very well, and I knew that the “hike” portion of it would be easy peasy. In fact, both the yoga and the hike were an all-levels class, which was a very comfortable way to start a new experience.
Prior to the event, we received clear instructions on what to bring with us, and broadly what to expect. We gathered at a central spot at 8:45 am to start at 9 am. Edgewater Park is a public park, and there were people around, doing their Saturday morning thing. So if you’re someone who needs complete quiet or a dark room, or music for yoga, this would not have been for you. Our instructor Alison guided us through a gentle flow full of great stretches and twists. The one thing that stood out to me is that this Hikyoga class was probably the most diverse yoga class I’ve ever been to which is such a refreshing change!!!
View from my yoga mat at Edgewater Park, Cleveland.
After 45 minutes of gentle flow, we moved onto the hike. As I mentioned, I knew this would be an easy hike - we were on an unpaved trail that leads down the Edgewater Beach. There we gathered (with a lot of distance) for a guided meditation, took some pictures and then headed back up the hill to our original spot. The hike took another 30 minutes or so, and the total event wrapped up in 90 minutes.
Overall, it was a great way to spend a morning with a friend, and engage in physical activity. Hikyoga is hosting events across the country through October, after which they will wrap up for the winter.
If you are a yoga instructor and want to diversify your business and teach Hikyoga classes, you can explore their instructor training here. I think this program could work practically anywhere, and there are so many cities/areas that don’t currently have instructors teaching classes. So go check it out!
I would definitely attend a Hikyoga class again - some of their upcoming locations include parks I’ve never been to, so I’m excited to explore more outdoor spaces close to home!