3 great places for outdoor yoga in Melbourne

Yoga is excellent for your health no matter where you do it, but, sometimes, the best way to really engage the mind, body and spirit through some asanas is by taking taking your practice outdoors.

For students taking fitness courses in Melbourne, there are several idyllic spots to set up a mat, stretch as the sun rises or sets, and unwind into these calming exercises. Namaste!

1) Fitzroy Gardens

These lush green grounds have been awarded a Green Flag status, meaning they are one of the best-managed public grounds in the city. A lovely segue to these grounds is the smaller yet pretty Treasury Gardens, renowned for being tranquil and serene.

A sweet pond has been built here along with a memorial to the assassinated President John F. Kennedy. You can set up under the shade of a tree, and use the trunk as support for some trickier techniques such as poses that require handstands.

2) Birrarung Marr

Many fitness lovers run along this region on the north bank of the Yarra River, and contemporary art sculptures are dotted around the park. It's fairly new, opened in 2002, and a delightful place for some outdoor yoga.

The park design uses three terraces of sand and grass – the Lower Terrace is good if you want to do your asanas near nature as it follows the natural curve of the river and has kept areas from the original avenue of elm trees. The Upper Terrace is great if you want a more up-beat, high intensity yoga regimen as it faces an urban landscape including Saint Paul's Cathedral and the spire from Arts Centre Melbourne.

3) Royal Botanic Gardens

Let yourself bloom like a flower as you stretch and breathe among these colourful buds and petals. There are charming wooden gazebos along the walkways which are ideal for doing yoga, especially when there is a light drizzle or rain. Hear the soothing sounds of raindrops patter on the gazebo roof as you close your eyes and launch into your yoga routine!