Healthy relationships are all about balance. And if you’re looking to interpret that literally in your relationship, why not take advantage of the fabulous warm weather by practicing outdoor yoga? Located in the middle of the Sunshine State, Orlando is beaming with opportunities for outdoorsy yogis! From a picturesque farm to towering rooftops, here are places to get lost in the flow together.
Yoga on the Lawn at Southern Hill Farms
When: Select Saturdays and Sundays, 9:45am
Where: Southern Hill Farms – 16651 Schofield Rd., Clermont
Cost: $13 in advance, $15 day of at the farm
Blueberry season in Florida runs from April-June and, at Southern Hill Farms, you can pair blueberry picking with a 1-hour all levels yoga class. The weekly class is held on the farm’s grass yard and led by a certified yoga instructor. After class, peruse the farm’s 40 acres of fruit bushes as you pick your own berries. One pound of u-pick berries are included in the cost of the class – yum! The farm is a hotbed of activity on the weekends with food trucks, live music, mimosas and more, in addition to yoga and u-pick.
Bring your own mat, towel and water. If purchasing tickets in advance, visit the Info Table with your receipt to obtain your wristband to access the class.
Paddleboard Yoga
A fun way to bond as a couple is to try something outside of your norm. Once you’re comfortable with yoga on land, hop on a paddleboard for a true test of balance. Maybe you can’t walk on water but you can yoga on water! Give it a try:
PADDLEBOARD ORLANDO
When: Saturdays and Sundays at 10am (check the Meetup page for details)
Where: Lake Killarney (Winter Park); meet at Paddleboard Orlando Store – 115 North Orlando Ave. Suite 109, Winter Park
Cost: $25 including board rental (or $10 if you bring your own board)
Paddle out on beautiful Lake Killarney for a 1-hour guided paddleboard yoga class followed by an additional hour of leisurely paddleboarding. Paddleboard Orlando offers SUP yoga classes every weekend on the lake behind their shop. The class is open to beginners, even if you have no prior paddleboarding and/or yoga experience. Sign up online on the Meetup page, or call 407-960-7815.
WAVE OF WELLNESS
When: Select dates beginning in May (check the Meetup page for details)
Where: Lake Mary Jane (Orlando) and Lake Mizell (Winter Park)
Cost: $35 including board rental (or $15 if you bring your own board)
Wave of Wellness hosts seasonal paddleboard yoga classes on Lake Mary Jane and Lake Mizell, inviting you to align body, mind and spirit while practicing balance and breath. During the 1-hour, 15-minute class, you’ll paddle out to a serene spot and, then, the balancing act begins. While the class is open to beginners, I’d recommend some prior experience with both yoga and paddleboarding so this date night isn’t a total wipeout. But Wave of Wellness also hosts Was’SUP Beginners lessons to get you acquainted with paddleboarding.
Image credit: Wave of Wellness
Namaste and Rose Thornton Park
When: First and third Wednesday of the month at 7pm
Where: The Veranda at Thornton Park – 111 N. Summerlin Ave., Orlando
Cost: $10
Boost your motivation to exercise with a little liquid help. The Veranda at Thornton Park is a cozy event venue with a charming terrace located across the street from Island Time and Benjamin French Bakery & Cafe, two downtown Orlando gems. The patio space serves as the classroom for the monthly Namaste and Rose yoga, a 1-hour class concluded with a complimentary glass of wine. An instructor from a local studio, Firefly Yoga Company, leads each session. Bonus: You can keep the party going with happy hour prices at Island Time afterward. Check Facebook for upcoming event details.
Rooftop Yoga at The Balcony Orlando
When: Select Tuesdays at 6:30pm
Where: The Balcony Orlando – Chase Plaza, 189 South Orange Ave. (11th floor), Orlando
Cost: $7 (plus a few extra dollars for parking)
The Balcony is a swanky event venue in downtown Orlando, notable for its stunning 11th-story outdoor views of Lake Eola. But you don’t need to be a wedding guest or VIP to see the rooftop for yourself. The venue hosts a monthly rooftop yoga class ideal for winding down after a busy day. The Balcony features 10,000 square feet of outdoor space utilized during the unique class. Yoga mats are available for rent based on availability, with a suggested donation of $2-4. Finding your inner calm will be easy as you flow through poses while the sun sets over the city.
Image credit: The Balcony Orlando
Yoga Nona at Crescent Park
When: Saturdays at 9am
Where: Crescent Park in Laureate Park, Lake Nona
Cost: Free
Practice yoga on the lawn of Crescent Park, located less than 5 minutes from the yummy Canvas restaurant. This weekly yoga class is community-oriented, free and open to all skill levels. Bring along water, a mat and a towel.
Free Yoga on Park Avenue
When: Second and fourth Saturday of the month
Where: Central Park, Winter Park
Cost: Free (donations welcome to support the charity of the month)
A date day along Park Avenue doesn’t have to cost a dime. Movement: Yoga with a purpose is a local Meetup group that gathers twice a month for a free outdoor community yoga session. You’ll be steps away from local hotspots as you practice in Winter Park’s picturesque Central Park under the guidance of a certified instructor. As an added bonus, the group’s mission is to raise social awareness and give back. Each month a different charity is featured, so bring along a donation if it calls to you.
YogaGlow at Aero
When: Periodically; check Facebook for details
Where: Aero Rooftop Bar & Lounge – 60 N Orange Ave., Orlando
Cost: $20 in advance or $25 at the door
Paint yourself luminous with special glow in the dark paint and crack some glow sticks during an upbeat and one-of-a-kind rooftop yoga class. PLA.Yoga leads the periodic energetic class—suitable for all levels—atop Aero Rooftop Bar & Lounge’s space in downtown Orlando. Arrive early, grab your supplies and get creative painting yourself (and your partner) before class begins. Check out the studio’s Facebook page for upcoming events.
Photo credit: PLA.Yoga
Baby Goat Yoga at Wildflower Farm
When: Seasonal (typically March & April); however Yoga on the Farm Classes (sans goats) is year-round
Where: Wildflower Farm – 2218 Carrington Dr., Orlando | Cost: $22
Wildflower Farm is an urban family-owned farm serving as an oasis from the hustle and bustle of city life, just 15 minutes from the heart of downtown Orlando. The farm raises American Alpine dairy goats and chickens. You can stock up on fresh goat’s milk, eggs, soaps and more, but the farm’s main draw is baby goat yoga. Practice your down-dog alongside goat companions and conclude your visit with plenty of time to cuddle and bottle feed the furry friends. Selfies are totally encouraged! Classes fill up fast, so book ahead.
One of our contributors, Hannah Green, took the class earlier this year and confirmed my suspicion that the focus of this class isn’t just exercise. Her take: “It’s less about the yoga and more about the baby goats! They really do climb all over you and they will even cuddle with you.” I mean, what more could you want?
Baby Goat Yoga at Wildflower Farm. Image credit: Wildflower Farm
More outdoor yoga classes happening Orlando:
Yoga in Lake Eola Park
When: Sundays at 11am
Where: Northeast lawn of Lake Eola Park (corner of Robinson & Eola Dr.)
Cost: $5 cash
Partake in a 1-hour all levels community outdoor yoga class with Lake Eola as the backdrop. This class pairs well with a visit to the Orlando Farmer’s Market or a Sunday brunch in Thornton Park.
Yoga Under the Stars at Orlando Brewing
When: Third Friday of each month at 7pm
Where: Orlando Brewing – 1301 Atlanta Ave., Orlando
Cost: $12
Stay cool during this nighttime outdoor yoga class held at Orlando Brewing. A free 16oz. beer of your choice is included in the ticket price.
Brewery Yoga on the Silo Lawn at Crooked Can Brewing Company
When: Saturdays at 11am
Where: Silo Lawn at Plant Street Market – 426 W Plant St., Winter Garden
Cost: $10
Begin the weekend with a relaxing outdoor yoga class at Plant Street Market. The session includes a free 13oz or 16oz craft brew of your choice from Crooked Can.
Want more? Read our guide to Wild and Crazy Places to do Yoga in Orlando for more ideas.
Feature image credit: @sabrinaratkins / @kristopherpace on Instagram
About the author: Stephanie Patterson is the managing editor of Orlando Date Night Guide. She’s a skilled travel and food photographer and writer with a passion for creativity, the beach and great eats. When she’s not snapping pictures or writing, you can find her hanging out with her boyfriend and their dog, trying new restaurants or baking something sweet. Find her online at www.spattersonphotography.com and www.traveltasteclick.com.