There’s no question that the last two years have ignited a shift toward more outdoor experiences — and yoga experiences and live music events are no exception. Increasingly over the last decade and across the country, iconic amphitheaters new and old are catering to more than just concert-goers by introducing yoga events that connect yogis to their community and to music and the arts, while delivering yoga to the masses. Read on for inspiration to take your practice to new heights, at these venues with otherworldly natural scenery and life-changing live music performances.
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
San Diego, California
Newly opened in 2021 as home to the San Diego Symphony, The Rady Shell is California’s must-visit arts and culture venue for a number of reasons: endless city and water views, gourmet bites by Celebrity Chef Richard Blais, and bucket list waterside performances by the likes of Sheryl Crow, The Beach Boys, and The Psychedelic Furs, just to name a few. Perched on the edge of sparkling San Diego Bay and the lively Gaslamp Quarter, this architectural gem hosts free monthly community yoga events put on by Fit Athletic and instructor Viktoria Talbot, including its first-ever PRIDE yoga this July, which drew over 2,000 yogis and culminated in a DJ dance party on the Shell lawn. Bonus for music buffs: since Jacobs Park is owned by the Symphony, they’ve made a promise to the city that the park will remain free and open to the public – meaning that open rehearsals have become a new tradition, and yoga events sometimes coincide with rehearsals by big acts.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Morrison, Colorado
Heading into its 82nd year as a concert venue, Red Rocks is undoubtedly one of the most iconic music venues in the world, the most Instagrammed location in Colorado, and home to the routinely sold-out Yoga on the Rocks series, now celebrating its 10th year and offered on select Saturday’s every summer. Capped at 2,000 yogis per event, Red Rocks contracts local studios (this season The River Yoga, Buffalo + Sparrow, and Trufusion) for the series, allowing each to present its own unique program, with many different styles of yoga offered in both English and Spanish. Roll out your mat for the quintessential Colorado experience: morning yoga in the foothills of the Rockies, as you breathe in the mountain air against the backdrop of a historic venue, where deer sometimes wander between participants.
FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park
Miami, Florida
A metropolis among the tropics, Downtown Miami beckons yoga practitioners with the opportunity to practice at the lush and spacious Bayfront Park, with weekly donation-based yoga events led by local instructor Nicolay Del Salto. One of Miami’s longest-standing free yoga traditions, Bayfront Park has welcomed over 100,000 yogis since the inception of the events in 2005. After moving through your flow beneath the shade of the Tina Hills Pavilion, make your way to the adjacent FPL Solar Amphitheater, encased by views of Miami’s downtown skyline, swaying palms, and balmy bay breezes. The venue serves up free yoga and unforgettable shows year-round, bringing acts like Rufus Du Sol, Jack Harlow, Haim, Bon Iver, and Coheed & Cambria to the stage.
Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
Austin, Texas
Known as the live music capital of the world, Austin has long attracted visitors to major events like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits. Just opened this year, Austin’s emerging cultural and community epicenter is Waterloo Park – home to 11 acres of revitalized greenspace, 1.5 miles of hike-and-bike trails, the Hill Country Gardens, local food trucks, and the 5,000 capacity Moody Amphitheater. In partnership with Castle Hill Fitness, the park now offers free weekly workouts, including Yoga at the Park. Through late fall, locals and visitors alike can enjoy Yoga + Sound events on Mondays from 6-7pm, with mindful movement accompanied by sound therapy. Each week will feature a different style of yoga and live music. This Labor Day (September 5th), Waterloo will also offer Austin’s Free Day of Yoga, with free yoga classes led by local studios and instructors. At Moody Amphitheater, expect a perfect complement to your practice with performances by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Kevin Gates, and Kehlani.
Julia Cavalieri is a marketing consultant, freelance writer, and yoga teacher who recently landed in the sunny peach and wine country of Palisade, Colorado, by way of Miami Beach. She’s spent the last decade building luxury hospitality brands, while covering topics from music festivals and nightlife, to fitness, fashion, and restaurants. Both personally and professionally, Julia loves living at the intersection of yoga and wellness, music, travel, and arts and culture. She leads yoga classes and events in Palisade and Grand Junction, and is a lover of yoga philosophy, psychology, and humanities. Connect with Julia on Linkedin or follow her on Instagram.
