Practicing yoga feels good; practicing yoga outside feels terrific.

The healing power of nature complements the mental and physical benefits of a regular yoga practice, leaving you feeling more relaxed and grounded. One of the advantages of yoga is that it can be done anywhere, not just inside a studio. Imagine yourself in warrior pose standing astride a boulder as you focus on a breathtaking vista of soaring red cliffs in the distance. Feel a gentle breeze caress your skin and hear the sound of a raven calling in the canyon. Nature gently envelopes you with her beauty, evoking a sense of deep inner peace. 

Bring your yoga mat to Sedona and seek out this kind of experience for yourself. Stellar views are plentiful here. A stay at Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel, complements your outdoor yoga experience with a serene atmosphere and a wellness-focused environment that includes a spa as luxurious as Velvet. 

Below are six spots, all in or around vortexes, to practice Sedona yoga with breathtaking views. Paired with each is a tranquil moment at Ambiente to extend the feeling and help you create your own Sedona wellness retreat. 

Cathedral Rock: Sunrise yoga with vortex energy

Start the morning with sunrise salutations amidst the towering sandstone formations of Cathedral Rock. At sunrise, a soft light bathes the red rocks in a golden glow, all the way up to the 5,000-foot summit. Get here early before the crowds and hike in to find a flat rock for your yoga session. This dramatic setting offers panoramic views of red rocks and Oak Creek. Tap into the grounding and restorative energy of the Cathedral Rock vortex for spiritual rejuvenation. 

Return to Ambiente and reward yourself with a nourishing breakfast at Forty1. Choose from an energizing green juice or fresh fruit smoothies and Avocado Toast. For something more indulgent, there’s an Adobe Jack Burrito with chorizo verde and Oaxaca cheese, or a Belgian Waffle with Chinese Five-Spiced Fuji apples. Gaze out at views of the red rocks, echoing the calming energy of Cathedral Rock. 

Directions from Ambiente: Head south on State Route 179 and turn right onto Back O’ Beyond Road to reach the Cathedral Rock Trailhead.  Approximately 4 miles. 

Schnebly Hill Overlook: 4X4 adventure meets the sound of Om

If you have a 4-wheel drive, take your yoga mat for a bumpy ride up rocky Schnebly Hill Road to one of Sedona’s least-visited sites, the Lookout. A morning yoga practice at this remote spot inspires awe. As you stand in Mountain Pose,  the space around you seems infinite. Gaze at the expansive desert landscape with Sedona’s dramatic cliffs and vast red rock formations stretching into the distance. The early morning quiet adds a blissful sense of solitude.

Back at Ambiente, head to Velvet Spa and sink into an O2 Japanese-style warm soaking bath. The oxygen-infused water penetrates and nurtures your skin, enhancing relaxation.  

Directions from Ambiente: Head north on State Route 179, then turn right onto Schnebly Hill Road. Note that Schnebly Hill Road is unpaved and can be rough; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Approximately 4 miles.

Bell Rock: Invigorating high-energy yoga

An iconic bell-shaped formation known for its upflow vortex energy, Bell Rock is ideal for enhancing meditation and inspiration. Its close proximity to other red rock formations puts you right into the Sedona landscape.

Go in the early morning when the lighting is soft and to beat the crowds. Choose the lower trail for a more accessible yoga spot, or hike higher to find solitude. Practice an energizing flow as Bell Rock is known for its powerful energy. There are several flat areas perfect for Downward Dog as you strengthen the body with inverted views for a different perspective on the world. 

At Ambiente, continue to reawaken your energy with a Celestial Chakra treatment. This powerful treatment includes sound bowls, traditional massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, moon-shaped crystals and gentle energy work.  

Directions from Ambiente: Drive south on State Route 179 to the Bell Rock Trailhead parking area, north of the Village of Oak Creek. Approximately 7 miles.

Boynton Canyon: Connecting mind, body, nature

Part of the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, Boynton Canyon offers a peaceful ambiance with incredible views of the box canyon floor and surrounding landscape. In this tucked-away canyon with tall red cliffs and green desert foliage, practice a slow, gentle yoga in the soft morning light or late afternoon. Look for a secluded, flat area along the trail for your yoga session. The Boynton Canyon vortex, located near the Kachina Woman spire, is said to have a balanced masculine and female energy that encourages connection and creativity. 

Continue the creative vibe at Ambiente with a Sedona Sacred Clay Wrap. Rich and rejuvenating desert clay is warmed and artfully painted on the skin with a soft brush to stimulate the senses. 

Directions from Ambiente: Take State Route 89A west, turn right onto Dry Creek Road, and follow signs to Boynton Canyon Trailhead. Approximately 8 miles.

Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon Ranch: Meditative Flow by the Creek

Plan a late afternoon yoga session in this historic park which once was a working ranch and the backdrop for several Westerns. Green meadows, trees, and the gentle sound of Oak Creek make this a serene spot for a yoga flow. You’ll see a stunning reflection of Cathedral Rock in the water, one of the most photographed images in Sedona. The energy here is ideal for grounding and calming yoga. Try a cat-cow pose next to the mesmerizing sounds of the flowing creek.

Afterwards, retreat to Ambiente for a meditative walk alongside the lagoon and ancient waterways that run through the property. Come evening, the waterways are colorfully lit.  Request a Creekside guest atrium to hear the soothing sound of water throughout your stay. 

Directions from Ambiente: Take State Route 89A west, turn left onto Upper Red Rock Loop Road, and follow signs to Crescent Moon Picnic Site. Approximately 6 miles.

Airport Mesa: Sunset Yoga on top of the Vortex

A sunset yoga session at Airport Mesa, bathed in the glow of the golden hour, is simply unforgettable. The sky and rocks light up in vibrant shades of red, orange, and purple. From this elevated mesa you’ll have panoramic views of nearly all of Sedona’s iconic formations, including Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock. The sweeping vistas will make you feel like you’re on top of the world. Climb up the short distance to the summit, where you’ll have a 360-degree view, and practice  tree pose. The airport vortex energy is said to help you gain a higher spiritual perspective and greater equilibrium.  This is a popular destination, so you’ll need to arrive early to secure a good yoga spot, and a parking space.  

Ambiente is just down the hill. Arrange for a cheese and charcuterie board and wine to be delivered to your private rooftop terrace. Relax on the daybed by the firepit in shavasana pose, and watch the stars come out.  

Directions from Ambiente: Drive west on State Route 89A, then turn left onto Airport Road to reach the Airport Mesa parking area. Approximately 2 miles.

A restorative stay immersed in the landscape at Ambiente can work wonders for the senses. Let Sedona’s healing energy help you find inner peace. Choose a spectacular backdrop, roll out your yoga mat, strike a pose and just breathe.