Whether you're practicing yoga outdoors, trying a virtual Zumba class, or learning how to meditate, one thing is certain: caring for yourself with physical activity and mindfulness is important for your overall health and well-being.
If the COVID-19 pandemic has you feeling disconnected from your community, local organizations and businesses in Monmouth and Ocean Counties have a solution. There are plenty of upcoming activities designed to inspire health and wellness in your daily routine. Learn some mindfulness techniques, pick up tips for vibrant living, and re-energize your fitness plan.
Here are our top picks for fun, local activities to do to stay fit and healthy. We've got something for all ages, so try them out to get your heart pumping, lift your mood, and give your health a boost.
1. Yoga
Yoga is a holistic, mind-body workout that focuses on strength, flexibility, breath, and self-awareness. You can choose a challenging, high-intensity practice or a slow and meditative class.
There are many safe options for practicing yoga. Some studios have virtual classes so you can participate at home. In-person classes are offered with limits on participants and social distancing measures. You can also join an outdoor class with plenty of space to breathe in fresh air and practice in a park, beach, or on a paddleboard in the water.
Where to Try Yoga
Free Yoga in Ocean County
Join a free community yoga class for all levels. Preregister online and bring a mat and water.
Where: Dean's Natural Food Market, Ocean Township, 119 Highway 35, Ocean, NJ
Dates: September 14, October 12, November 9, December 14
Time: 6 p.m.
Yoga Classes in Monmouth and Ocean County
We've put together a list of local yoga studios offering outdoor, online, and in-studio classes for all levels. Check out our breakdown by county below and find a yoga class near you.
Yoga Classes in Monmouth and Ocean Counties
Here's a round-up of local yoga studios by county. Be sure to check websites to confirm schedules and registration information.
Yoga in Monmouth County
Align Yoga and Strength hosts classes on the lawn outside their Matawan studio. All other sessions are online.
Beacon Yoga has live streams of a variety of classes including power, flow and gentle yoga.
Blue Moon Yoga's schedule of online classes includes Vinyasa, Hatha, restorative and chair yoga classes.
Center for Health and Healing Beach Yoga offers outdoor classes on the sand at Seaside or Lavallette Beach and on the grass at Toms River. Virtual classes are also available.
Coba Yoga holds yoga flow classes online and outdoors in Little Silver.
Elements of Yoga in Freehold Township offers hot yoga in their studio and live streams of Vinyasa, deep stretch and flow classes.
Evenflow Yoga offers beginner, Vinyasa, Yin and Jivamukti yoga classes for the Red Bank community.
Furthur Power Yoga's classes are in-studio and online. Weather permitting, some classes are held in Marucci Memorial Park in Spring Lake.
Hot & Soul Yoga's studios in Colts Neck and Middletown provide a variety of indoor, outdoor and virtual classes.
Karma Barre & Yoga in Spring Lake Heights invites students to virtual, in-studio and outdoor beach yoga classes.
Metta Yoga offers Yin and Vinyasa classes in-person and online. Some classes are held in the park across the street from the studio.
Monmouth Beach Yoga & Wellness offers in-person classes at the beach and in-studio sessions with a maximum of six students. Virtual classes are available.
Peace Warrior Yoga and Wellness has outdoor beach yoga at Point Pleasant Beach and a selection of online classes.
Pure Toms River Yoga hosts Vinyasa, Hatha, gentle yoga and rise-and-shine morning workouts in-person, online and outdoors at J Street Beach in Seaside Park.
Root Hot Yoga Online offers virtual Vinyasa and power flow yoga classes.
Stress Free Body in Keyport has virtual yoga and pop-up classes for those who want to meet in person. Outdoor yoga takes place on the waterfront near the gazebo.
SUKHA holds outdoor classes at Pleasure Park in Point Pleasant Beach and Angela Hibbard Park in Brick. You can also take slow flow, gentle and restorative yoga online.
Synergy Hot Yoga in Fair Haven offers outdoor classes including power Vinyasa and Hot 26. Online classes are available on demand on their website.
Tula Yoga has a variety of outdoor classes in Aberdeen including restorative, flow, Yin and core yoga. You can also join live sessions on Zoom or receive access to an online class at your convenience for 24 hours.
Twisted Sister holds Christian-inspired yoga classes in locations around the Jersey Shore, including beaches, farms and private backyards.
West End Beach Yoga offers beach yoga classes 7 days per week in Long Branch, weather permitting.
Yoga Anjali's selection of classes includes beach yoga in Avon By The Sea and live Zoom classes.
Yoga Peace Kula has mixed-level Vinyasa, gentle flow and chair yoga classes online.
Yoga in Ocean County
Bask Hot Yoga offers hot Vinyasa, warm Yin and power Vinyasa classes at its Jackson and Brick locations.
Breathe Life Sangha is offering beach yoga at two oceanfront locations in Lavallette.
Chilltown Yoga's online yoga classes include Yin, Hatha, Ashtanga and Vinyasa flow.
Hanu Yoga offers a gentle flowing outdoor yoga with a view of Waretown Lake.
Inlet Yoga School of Yoga's schedule includes beach yoga at Spring Lake Pavilion and live streams of Vinyasa flow, sun salutation and chair yoga classes.
Joyful Living Center's classes are in-person and live-streamed, including Yin, flow, restorative and breath yoga.
Lan Lan Yoga's online yoga classes are specially designed for children ages 6 to 12 and include games, meditation and stretches.
Liquid Bliss Yoga offers a fun stand-up paddleboard yoga class and beach yoga in Harvey Cedars.
New Jersey Yoga Zone hosts outside and online yoga flow classes and beach yoga in Margate. Online classes are available on-demand for your convenience.
NJ Beach Yoga lets you connect with the sun and sand while doing yoga on JFK Beach in Sea Isle City.
Pure Yoga Toms River offers drop-in beach yoga for all levels at J Street Beach in Seaside Park.
Sea of Abundance Yoga's outdoor classes are held at Chadwick Beach. Indoor classes are currently offered online and include gentle, mixed-level and advanced beginner yoga.
Sun Moon Yoga and Healing in Long Branch holds outdoor classes at Pier Village and occasional pop-up classes. Online and in-person classes are also offered.
This Is Yoga NJ has yoga classes on the beach in Lavallette Beach Yoga and live-streamed gentle, core flow and all-levels yoga.
X-hale Hot Yoga is offering free Zoom workout classes during COVID-19.
Yoga Bohemia lets you practice yoga on the beach, in the park and on a stand-up paddleboard in the water. Studios are located in Beach Haven and Surf City.
Yoga Nine's studios in Ventnor and Ship Bottom are closed because of COVID-19 but free Zoom exercise classes are available.
Yoga Solace Club's virtual classes include Hatha, Vinyasa, Jivamukti, restorative and chair yoga.
2. Meditation and Wellness
Personal wellness involves activities that nourish your body and mind, whether it's practicing mindfulness or reducing stress. Try guided meditation, music therapy, and activities that you're passionate about to find calm in your busy day and nurture a positive approach to life.
Where to Learn About Meditation and Personal Wellness
Free Meditation: KYDS Mindful Mondays in Ocean
Learn mindfulness and meditation techniques to calm your mind and develop self-awareness. Register for individual sessions online.
Where: Dean's Natural Food Market, Ocean Township, 119 Highway 35, Ocean, NJ
Dates: September 21, October 19, November 16, December 21
Time: 6 p.m.
3. At-Home Stretches and Exercise
If you're looking for an easy way to improve your health and range of motion from home, check out the huge library of free virtual fitness classes available on-demand from the Monmouth County YMCA.
More from the YMCA
For a full list of current and upcoming events sponsored by the Monmouth County YMCA, visit their page on outdoor fitness.
Kick-start your path to wellness with engaging and inspiring local activities. Whether you're practicing sun salutations on the beach, paddling on the river or learning how to meditate, there are plenty of opportunities to stay active and healthy in New Jersey in the coming months.
