There’s something about the cool forest air, towering ponderosa pines and the quiet sounds of nature that makes it easier to slow down. This season, visitors to The Barefoot Trail near Flagstaff can embrace that feeling even more as the nonprofit brings back its popular outdoor yoga classes.
Located in Bellemont, just west of Flagstaff, The Barefoot Trail offers a one-mile outdoor experience designed to help guests reconnect with nature through movement, sensory exploration and direct contact with the earth. For the 2026 season, visitors ages 14 and older can pair a walk along the trail with a 30-minute yoga class held among the trees every Thursday and Sunday.
Participants gather in a peaceful forest grove tucked just off the trail. Each class incorporates gentle movement, breathwork, mindfulness and grounding while surrounded by nature. Mats, blocks, bolsters and other props are provided, making the experience welcoming for beginners and seasoned yogis alike.
“Yoga and grounding go hand in hand,” Founder Leah Williams said. “When you combine mindful movement with fresh air, forest surroundings, and the simple act of connecting with the earth, it creates a completely different kind of experience. It helps people slow down, tune in, and feel more present in their bodies.”
The classes are led by park supervisor and certified yoga instructor Betzy Spiro, who designed the sessions to feel approachable, restorative and connected to the natural rhythm of the surrounding forest. On Thursdays, visitors can join Gentle Flow Yoga at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. The slow-paced class emphasizes breath, balance and mindful movement. Sundays feature Grounding with Nature, also offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., blending elements of yin yoga, restorative yoga and yoga nidra into a calming outdoor practice.
Each session lasts 30 minutes, allowing guests to incorporate yoga into a day spent exploring the trail without committing to a full-length class. To keep the experience intimate, classes are limited to 10 participants.
Whether you’re looking for an escape from the heat, hoping to deepen your yoga practice outdoors or searching for a unique weekend adventure in northern Arizona, the combination of forest yoga and barefoot exploration offers an experience that’s relaxing and rejuvenating. Learn more at thebarefoottrail.org.
