Roll up your yoga mat and head to one of the destinations below to experience some healing energy.
Do you feel like you could use some deep rest and relaxation? Self-care is often easier when you are away from your regular routine at home, so maybe it’s time to consider a visit to an energy vortex, a physical place in nature where the energy of the planet is particularly concentrated. This concentrated energetic vibration offers visitors the opportunity for deep healing, powerful meditation, and accelerated self-exploration.
These unique destinations are experienced differently by each person, but everyone can benefit from a visit to an energy vortex. Some people feel a tingling sensation, like a mild electrical current running through their body. Other people report they can drop easily into deep meditation. Some people see visions or have flashes of insight, while others feel relatively little. The spectrum of experience is wide, but the good news is that energy vortices are typical destinations of great natural beauty. Even if you don’t have a transformative insight, you will likely experience some amazing parts of nature. Most people leave energy vortex locations feeling refreshed, reset, and renewed.
Let’s have a look at some of the most powerful healing destinations in the United States.
1) Meditate on the Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona
The most well-known energy vortex area in the United States is Sedona, a desert area near Flagstaff, Arizona, famous for its beautiful natural scenery and healing energy.
Featuring Red Rock National Park and Slide Rock State Park, the town of Sedona has a population of under 11,000 and a distinct focus on tourism, giving you lots of activity options ranging from jeep tours to kayaking and from guided hikes to personal retreats. While there are technically seven energy vortices, the four below are among the most popular.
- Airport Mesa Vortex overlooks the red rock scenery of the area, and this vortex is said to help your spirit soar while offering you a higher perspective.
- The Boynton Canyon Vortex is an easy 15 minute drive from West Sedona. This vortex is said to be good for balance between yin and yang energies.
- Bell Rock is one of the most popular meditation vortexes in the area and is known to provide serenity and problem solving from a higher spiritual perspective.
- The Cathedral Rock Vortex is one of the most photographed sites in Arizona and accessible by hiking or climbing. This energy center cleanses and balances the mind, body, and spirit and is considered some of the strongest energy in the area.
If you are new to energy vortices, Sedona is one of the best destinations to start.
Can’t make it out to Sedona?
2) Dive into the Deep Blue Waters of Crater Lake, Oregon
Featuring the deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake was formed over 7,000 years ago when a volcano on Mount Mazama, the land on which it sits, erupted violently. Today, the scene is more peaceful, and people from all over the world come to enjoy the stunning blue water, stargaze into the pitch-black night sky, and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities from hiking to water sports.
Crater Lake holds spiritual significance going back thousands of years. The Native American Klamath tribe bore witness to the volcanic eruption of Mount Mazama and wove mythology around the event, describing it as a battle between the sky god Skell and Llao, the god of the underworld. The Klamath people used Crater Lake in vision quests, and some believe the clay surrounding Crater Lake has special healing properties.
With over ninety miles of trails featuring diverse foliage and landscapes, you’ll find many ways to connect with nature and your higher self on a visit to one of the most stunning lake destinations in the US. To get your bearings, consider a trip around the 33-mile Rim Drive, a highway that encircles Crater Lake offering over 30 overlooks. And be sure to look for the Old Man of the Lake, a 30-foot (9 meter) tree stump that has been standing vertically in the lake since at least 1896.
3) Climb the High Desert of Joshua Tree, California
If solitude is what you seek, head to Joshua Tree National Park in southeastern California near Palm Springs. Set in the high desert and named for the native Yucca brevifolia tree, Joshua Tree National Park offers visitors over 8,000 routes for rock climbers and a wide range of hiking options. The moderate, one-mile Hidden Valley Trail loop is a popular starting point to take in the natural beauty of the land.
For more meditative experience head to the 140-acre Joshua Tree Retreat Center and book yourself a personal retreat. This center offers peaceful walking paths and vortex energy locations to explore. Here you’ll find an exercise pool, hot tub, and wellness classes including yoga, meditation, and breathwork.
4) Pause and Reflect on the Trails of Mount Shasta, California
Located in northern California near the Oregon border and standing 14,179 feet (4,322 meters) high, Mount Shasta holds spiritual significance as well as natural beauty. The same Klamath Tribes of Crater Lake believed that Mount Shasta was home to the sky god, Skell, who fought with the spirit of the underworld Llao residing in Mount Mazama. Outside Native American legend, there are those who believe that descendants of the lost continent of Lemuria came to live in Mount Shasta.
While there are parts of its past we may never know, the Magical Mountain offers visitors many power points to visit. Panther Meadows is a great entry hike offering easy trails and stunning views. Legend has it that the springs that run through the meadows have sacred qualities.
Heart Lake offers hikers a secluded swimming hole and unforgettable views of Mount Shasta. The larger and more accessible Castle Lake lying below Heart Lake gives visitors the option to drive to its shores. Meditate, do yoga, or spend time in silent reflection at either of these two beautiful lakes.
5) Hike the Mountain Ranges surrounding Asheville, North Carolina
Located on the same latitudinal line as Sedona, Asheville in North Carolina is sometimes called the “Sedona of the East.” Rumored to have 24 active vortices in the area, the most visible is Mount Mitchell, standing 6,684 feet (2,037 meters) tall. The six-mile trail to reach the top is considered a strenuous hike, but many visitors don’t limit themselves to Mount Mitchell. Mount Pisgah and Craggy Gardens are both areas of powerful energy, gorgeous natural beauty, and tranquility.
If this list has intrigued you, be sure to check out some of the other vortices in the United States including Ojai in California, Denali National Park in Alaska, Mauna Kea in Hawaii and the Four Corners area of the continental United States. And if you can’t physically go to an energy vortex, take a YogaToday video class to immerse yourself in the powerful energy of the Rocky Mountains.
