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Best Places To Meditate In Minnesota

There are many ways to meditate. Meditation can mean quiet contemplation or prayer. Yoga and martial arts also induce a meditative state. Whatever your preference, there are meditative centers and retreats for restorative getaways. But you must turn off the mobile devices, logoff the computer, and leave social media behind. Also, no TV.

Your Road To Recovery Yoga
(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Minnesota Kali Group
4532 Chicago Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 821-6800
www.mnkali.com

Minnesota Kali Group teaches yoga as well as mixed martial arts (MMA). You can spend Sundays at a budokon yoga class. A departure from hatha yoga and iyengar yoga, which emphasize posture (asana) and stretching, budokon merges yoga and martial arts. Open to yoga practitioners and those new to yoga, the class transitions students from yoga basics to more advanced phases. Students get both mind/body conditioning and martial arts training. After a vigorous workout, yoga practitioners might be geared up for another 9-to-5 go-around.

Bliss Yoga Studio
1565 Como Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
www.blissyogastudiomn.com

Located near Como Park, Bliss Yoga Studio has private and group class instruction. The studio introduces students to meditation through simple breathing exercises. Yoga instruction also addresses therapeutic needs, such as stress reduction, pain relief and mind/body wellness. Certified yoga instructors teach classes and workshops. The studio also has its own instructor training program.

Related: Best Yoga Studios In Minnesota 

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Fountain
(credit: Amy Rea)

Wright Terrace Gardens
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Dr.
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 443-1400
www.arboretum.umn.edu

The tranquility of these gardens is ideal for meditation. This is the purpose of Wright Terrace Gardens, named after yoga practitioner Kathleen Mary Wright. Filled with  linden trees, soft white flowers, a water fountain, a commemorative plaque, and a small carved labyrinth, the gardens are a horticultural splendor. Wright Terrace Gardens in the arboretum is part of the Oswald Visitor Center at the University of Minnesota.

Tilopa Tai Chi Qigong Center
2736 Hennepin Ave., South
Ste. 104
Minneapolis, MN, 55408
(612) 825-6824
www.itaichi.net

This center teaches meditation and mindfulness through tai chi and qigong. Both a martial art and a form of exercise, tai chi has no physical age limits. Both young and old practice tai chi for its health benefits. At the Tilopa Tai Chi Qigong Center, students learn from certified instructors. The center has wonderful Maui retreats. In a Hawaiian paradise, students and instructors meditate and practice tai chi and qigong. The Maui retreat has ongoing tai chi/qigong classes. Its exquisite art gallery, open to visitors, exhibits tai chi brush paintings.

Related: Best Yoga Retreats In The U.S.

St. Paul's Monastery
2675 Benet Rd.
St. Paul, MN 55109
651-777-8181
www.stpaulsmonastery.org

Retreating from the urban buzz doesn't mean escape from Twin Cities. St. Paul's Monastery welcomes anyone in need of spiritual sanctuary. The monastery's Benedictine retreat center has support groups, prayer services, and community events. Its mission is to provide spiritual guidance in an interfaith community setting. The monastery's child care center is said to be one of the best.

Villa Maria Retreat & Conference Center
29847 County 2 Blvd.
Frontenac, MN 55026
(651) 345-4582
www.villamariaretreats.org

An idyllic interfaith retreat near Lake Pepin, Villa Maria is one hour away from Twin Cities. Established by the Ursuline Order of Catholic Nuns, Villa Maria has a central campus with a historic landmark building. Inside are stately guest rooms. Outside the building are picturesque guest cabins. Guests can bring their own camping gear instead of reserving a room or cabin. Villa Maria is near outdoor recreation areas, a state park and hiking trails. For meditation or prayer, there are on-campus indoor and outdoor meditation paths. Guests can prepare meals in bright kitchen settings, or share group meals in a lovely dining hall. The meeting rooms are used for business conferences, weddings and social gatherings. If you want to go shopping or take in some night life, Twin Cities is nearby.

Related: Best Meditation Centers In The Minnesota Area


Linda Cameron has written home design, home improvement and lifestyle articles for The Boston Globe and City Shopper Magazine. She has related interests in the building industry, travel, real estate and financing. She is a contributor to Examiner, House Spot, Techsling and Behance, covering topics on career, people, businesses, education and technology.

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