Yoga in Austria: Find your Inner Zen in the Outdoors
Master your tree and child pose at festivals, in the mountains, or at the lakes.
Power yoga, yin, vinyasa? Yoga is one of the fastest-growing wellness trends in the past decade, with around 300 million practicing it regularly around the globe according to statistics. In the UK alone, half a million flock to the yoga studios at least once a week. Unsurprisingly therefore, demand for yoga in holiday regions increases by the year accordingly, especially during the summer months.
Practicing yoga in the outdoors comes with additional benefits, think connection with nature and an extra dose of fresh air and vitamin D. Plus, who wouldn’t prefer a practice at a lake or waterfall surrounded by mountain peaks to an indoor studio?
Austria has plenty of outdoor options for yogis - let us show you some highlights!
YOGA AT THE FESTIVAL
The Mountain Yoga Festival in St. Anton in the Arlberg region takes place from 31 August to 3 September this year and is Austria’s largest yoga festival. Participants can look forward to four days of yoga, hiking, meditation, and good vibes 1,800 m above sea level, with classes available for all skill levels. There are also community lunches, expert talks, and a yoga shop. Yogis can either bring their own gear or rent a yoga set on-site.
The Innsbruck Yoga Summit (3-5 September 2023) is another popular retreat featuring inspiring workshops, chanting, meditation, dance and outdoor activities for all ages and skill levels. There’s a special kids area and plenty of time to go sightseeing in Innsbruck, too.
The Kitzbühel Yoga Festival at A-ROSA Hotel Kitzbühel (15-17 September 2023) combines yoga practice with instructors from around the world with fine dining.
Already planning for next year? St. Johann in Tirol has an annual yoga festival called Mein Yapadu Summit, taking place in June and featuring a mix of outdoor workshops with the stunning Wilder Kaiser and Kitzbüheler Horn mountain as a picture-perfect backdrop.
YOGA AT THE LAKE
On a hot summer day there’s no better place to practice your tree and sphinx pose than right at the water! Lakeside resorts such as Zell am See-Kaprun welcome yogis with floating wooden platforms, perfect for warrior, cobra, or downward-facing dog poses. Alternatively, yogis can try the ultimate balancing act on a stand-up paddling board.
Other popular spots include Lake Fuschlsee in the Salzkammergut region where yoga fans can take part in early morning or sunset classes, or Carinthia’s Lake Wörthersee (annual yoga festival and daily classes throughout the summer at and on the water, including for children as well as special SUP yoga workshops).
YOGA IN THE MOUNTAINS
Countless Alpine regions in Austria offer regular yoga group classes throughout the summer, inviting newbies and pros to experience sunrises or sunsets on their mat.
In summer resorts such as Tirol’s Zillertal guests can also check into special yoga hotels such as Kaltenbach, Coolnest (day guests welcome, too!) or Schwarz and dedicate their whole holiday on finding their inner Zen, surrounded by stunning lakes and mountains. Other popular yogi hotels include BLÜ in Gastein and Hotel Wagrain, both in SalzburgerLand, or Vorarlberg’s Forsthofalm.
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