As a mecca for health and well-being, it’s no wonder that Asheville has a thriving yoga culture. With the highest concentration of experienced, certified, world-class yoga teachers in the region, Asheville has some of the best yoga studios in the Southeast. No matter which part of town you visit, you’ll find a yoga studio. Each studio has its own style and atmosphere from peaceful and welcoming studios that feature restorative yoga classes to power flow yoga studios to alignment-based yoga studios and everything in between. Most yoga studios in Asheville offer beginner-friendly and all-levels yoga classes. Feature photo: Stephan Pruitt/Agape Yoga
What is Yoga?
Originating in India, yoga is an ancient tradition and science that has been passed down for thousands of years. Most of the yoga we practice today in the Western world is based on Hatha yoga, which is about bringing balance to the body, mind, breath, and spirit. A method of self-discovery and transformation, the word yoga originates from Sanskrit and means ‘to yoke or bind,’ and is often interpreted as ‘union’ or a method of discipline. There are endless benefits from practicing yoga, including a calmer nervous system, a healthier circulatory system, a stronger respiratory system, smoother digestion, better sleep, improved focus, and clarity of mind.
Photo: Love Shine Yoga Festival in Asheville
Types of Yoga in Asheville and WNC
There are many styles of yoga, including Kundalini yoga, Iyengar yoga, power flow yoga, hot yoga, vinyasa, and restorative yoga. Most yoga studios in Asheville and Western NC offer multiple types of yoga. Some yoga studios are specific to a certain style and some yoga studios feature a variety of styles.
Whether you’re seeking a moment of bliss or to strengthen your physical body, new to yoga, or have a steady yoga practice, the Asheville yoga scene has something for you.
Photo: SUP Yoga, Love Shine Yoga Festival
Unique Yoga Experiences in and around Asheville
In Western North Carolina, there are various creative ways you can practice yoga and say ‘Namaste.’ Yoga is offered in a variety of settings such as public parks, breweries, farms, nature trails, mountain balds, waterfalls, and more.
Yoga & Nature
- Namaste in Nature Yoga Hikes: Connect with nature during a 3-hour guided yoga hike on weekends in March-November. Includes easy-moderate hike, yoga, meditation, yoga mats, and pictures. Enjoy forests, waterfalls, and mountain views, including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail. Beginners, men, women, couples, and groups are welcome. Yoga with a View at Chimney Rock State Park is hosted from May to October each year.
- Yoga in the Park: From June through September, the Asheville Yoga Center hosts Yoga in the Park on Saturdays at 10 am at Reuter Terrace in Pack Square Park. Classes are donation-based and proceeds benefit different local nonprofits. Cost: Donation-based.
Yoga in Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville
Yoga & Beer
Looking for a place to stretch and sip or bend and brew? Some breweries have weekly yoga and beer events, and others have special one-time yoga and beer events. Always check the brewery’s website for the latest updates. Here are some breweries that typically host yoga and beer: Oskar Blues Brewery in Brevard, Archetype Brewing in West Asheville, UpCountry Brewing in West Asheville, Highland Brewing in Asheville, and Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain. See our Breweries & Cideries guide for more.
Yoga & Animals
In Western NC there are tons of opportunities to practice yoga with furry animal friends, including goats, cats, chickens, and more! Franny’s Farm in Leicester and Asheville Wellness Tours typically offer yoga and animal classes.
Yoga with cats! By Violet Owl Yoga
Yoga Studios & Experiences
Asheville Wellness Tours
Add rejuvenation and relaxation to your next Asheville adventure. Choose from an eclectic menu of lighthearted experiences, including yoga hiking, forest bathing, tarot readings, massage, goat… read more
Add rejuvenation and relaxation to your next Asheville adventure. Choose from an eclectic menu of lighthearted experiences, including yoga hiking, forest bathing, tarot readings, massage, goat yoga, and more, to build your own custom mini-retreat. Asheville Wellness Tours specializes in girls getaways, corporate retreats, and wedding day wellness with a goal to help you connect more deeply to…
Namaste in Nature Yoga Hikes
A unique Asheville experience that combines yoga, hiking & meditation with the best mountains, waterfalls, sunsets, full moons, and the vortex in Western North Carolina. Open to beginners,… read more
A unique Asheville experience that combines yoga, hiking & meditation with the best mountains, waterfalls, sunsets, full moons, and the vortex in Western North Carolina. Open to beginners, women, men, couples, families and small groups for 2 or 3-hour yoga hikes during weekdays and weekends, year-round. Mats & pictures included. Private groups and private yoga classes are also…
WellSpring Wellness Center
Conveniently located near downtown Asheville, this all-inclusive wellness campus offers acupuncture, massage, metaphysics, naturopathy, psychotherapy, reiki, T'ai Chi, yoga, spiritual advising,… read more
Conveniently located near downtown Asheville, this all-inclusive wellness campus offers acupuncture, massage, metaphysics, naturopathy, psychotherapy, reiki, T'ai Chi, yoga, spiritual advising, and homeopath services all in one place.
Inspired Change Yoga
Inspired Change Yoga is a safe supportive community for all to practice, explore, and connect with self and others. Their goal is to make yoga accessible to everyone; and they offer classes for… read more
Inspired Change Yoga is a safe supportive community for all to practice, explore, and connect with self and others. Their goal is to make yoga accessible to everyone; and they offer classes for kids, teens, beginners, and advanced practitioners. Cost: They offer a visitor’s pass for $29, which includes unlimited yoga for seven days.
Black Mountain Yoga
Black Mountain Yoga features classes for all ages and abilities. They offer a range of class styles, including flow and yin with gong sound healing, gentle and restorative, sunrise yoga, kids yoga… read more
Black Mountain Yoga features classes for all ages and abilities. They offer a range of class styles, including flow and yin with gong sound healing, gentle and restorative, sunrise yoga, kids yoga, and private yoga therapy sessions. They also have a private sauna. Fun fact: The studio is 100% wind-powered.
Hot Yoga Asheville
This premier hot yoga studio in Asheville offers multiple types of hot yoga classes at 100-105 degrees, including Hot 26, a Bikram-inspired class. They also offer Inferno Core, a hybrid pilates… read more
This premier hot yoga studio in Asheville offers multiple types of hot yoga classes at 100-105 degrees, including Hot 26, a Bikram-inspired class. They also offer Inferno Core, a hybrid pilates and yoga class, which provides a full-body workout. Only in town for the week? Buy the visitor’s pass for $50 for a week’s worth of classes. This pass includes a yoga mat and towel rental.
Asheville Yoga Center
The region’s largest and oldest yoga center, this studio offers over 100 classes a week, with four yoga studio rooms plus a boutique offering high-quality apparel. With a solar-powered campus and… read more
The region’s largest and oldest yoga center, this studio offers over 100 classes a week, with four yoga studio rooms plus a boutique offering high-quality apparel. With a solar-powered campus and a variety of other green features, Asheville Yoga Center is committed to sustainability. Mats and props provided in each class.
Asheville Community Yoga
This nonprofit yoga center offers donation-based classes and workshops, focusing on yoga and healing arts. They offer all-levels yoga classes, including yoga for kids, meditation, private yoga… read more
This nonprofit yoga center offers donation-based classes and workshops, focusing on yoga and healing arts. They offer all-levels yoga classes, including yoga for kids, meditation, private yoga therapy, and more. Yoga mats and props provided! Visit the onsite Karma Cafe for a nourishing post-yoga meal or shop at the onsite thrift shop Zen & Now for preloved yoga clothing.
West Asheville Yoga
Known as the sweetest little yoga studio in Asheville, this studio honors all paths of yoga and features multiple classes throughout the week, including Yoga Basics, Morning Vinyasa Flow, Yoga for… read more
Known as the sweetest little yoga studio in Asheville, this studio honors all paths of yoga and features multiple classes throughout the week, including Yoga Basics, Morning Vinyasa Flow, Yoga for Resiliency, Prenatal Yoga, Kundalini Yoga with a meditation and gong bath, and more. This small neighborhood studio is the original donation-based yoga studio.
Love Shine Play Yoga Festival
Formally the Yoga Festival, this event features 40 presenters and 90+ offerings downtown, including yoga, music, outdoor activities, and health & wellness experts (fees). Mountain Air Market … read more
Formally the Yoga Festival, this event features 40 presenters and 90+ offerings downtown, including yoga, music, outdoor activities, and health & wellness experts (fees). Mountain Air Market at Pack Square Park on Friday-Sunday is free with slackline park, music, art, body care, and organic food.
