Are you the kind of yogi who just can’t bear to leave the mat behind on vacation? We understand: Once you get into the habit of searching for the perfect flow, it’s a bit addictive. Fortunately, there are plenty of places in Maui where you can move through your asanas, breath in and out and do it all in some of the most beautiful setting on earth.
So pack up your mat, head out of your Maui vacation rental and take a look at one of these four pose-perfect stops:
1. Waihou Spring Trail Loop
This is technically a hiking trail, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold plenty of places to do a quick routine. Bring your mat along as you hike past pine and eucalyptus trees, and whenever you see a flat patch of land perfect for your flow, just move through a cycle or two. Don’t put it all in the first stop – the trail is about a mile long, so there are sure to be plenty of places you’ll want to pause, take in the scenery and connect with the earth.
2. Mt. Haleakala
Practicing yoga atop Maui’s dormant volcano is the perfect way to celebrate yourself, the earth and the island all at once. Haleakala is an important site, so be sure to treat it with reverence and respect as you go through your routine. Looking for a place to do sun salutation? Since there isn’t a ton of shade, it would be best to go to this yoga spot in the morning, anyway. That said, sometimes a line forms to get in for sunrise, so you might have some company.
3. Polipoli Spring State Recreational Area and Forest Reserve
“Be inspired by the peaceful quiet of the woods.”
Did you know there’s a redwood forest in Maui? This reserve requires a bit of an off-road drive, but it’s totally worth it. This forest in southern Maui will leave you totally inspired to move through your asanas in the peaceful quiet of the woods. You’ll need to do a little bit of hiking for this one as well. If it has rained in the last few days, there’s a more-than-likely chance the trails will be a little damp in some places, so bring galoshes. Once you find that perfect dry, flat spot, however, you’ll be ready to find your flow.
4. Waianapanapa State Park black-sand beach
You’ll find all sorts of beautiful places to lay down your mat in Waianapanapa State Park, but we’d like to officially recommend heading down to the park’s small black-sand beach. These fascinating beaches are a hallmark of Hawaiian geography and a side effect of the islands’ high level of volcanic activity. When you go through your poses on a black sand beach, you’re becoming a part of something that has taken millions of years to create. Although the rest of the park has plenty of shade, the beach gets full sun – come during the early morning or around sunset to avoid getting overheated or sunburnt.