A Yoga Instructor Shares Her Favorite Wellness Destinations in the U.S.

Growing up in Lennox Head, Australia, Peloton yoga and meditation instructor Kirra Michel was always looking for ways to push herself to be better. She was a competitive gymnast, she surfed, she danced. She now knows that her overachieving productivity was an addiction, but back then it was just exhausting—and with so many millennial women, the “thin culture” of the early late ‘90s and early 2000s was deeply ingrained. It wasn’t until she moved to the even more exhausting pandemonium of New York City and became even more worn out, that she realized that something had to give. 

On the suggestion of her father, Michel turned to the book Dharma Punx by Noah Levine, which chronicles the author’s journey from drug addiction to finding Buddhism, all the while holding tight to his love for punk culture. (Who said Buddhism and punk were mutually exclusive?) It was an ethos that spoke to Michel. Guided by the realization that both interests could co-exist, she sought out a Dharma Punx group in New York and tried meditation for the first time. 

It was a balm, but also familiar. Because though this was her first taste of sanctioned mindfulness, Michel also realized that it was nothing new. Mindfulness, she realized, had been part of her wellness practice this whole time, whether she was aware of it or not—be it during her walks on the beach in Australia or her proclivity for seeking out trees. 

Meditation became a gateway to yoga—first practicing, then teaching. Michel was teaching online classes during COVID through a studio when someone suggested she audition for Peloton. "And I got the job!" she says.

Michel joined the Peloton team in 2021 as a yoga and meditation instructor. Her "Wellness Rebellion" brand of yoga spoke to students: inspired in part by Dharma Punx, it eschews the perfection she sought so long in her youth, and preaches moving through life with curiosity, and meeting yourself with compassion, empathy, acceptance, and gratitude. It grounds itself in the divine feminine, empowering women to take up space, and embrace their voices. As she explains, “We all have a zone of genius.” 

Wellness Rebellion as a philosophy is not limited to the yoga studio. As Michel has learned, its curious nature is especially applicable when traveling. For her, being open and embracing new cultures, landscapes, and perspectives all contributes to personal betterment: “travel unlocks the the polarity of other cultures, of the world. I love meeting people from completely different places and cultures, discovering connections, and being inspired by those differences."

A mindful travel escape for Michel starts simply by picking the right destination. Her choice is “anywhere scenic.” Translation: places that are overwhelmingly natural, and dripping with beauty. “Being in nature helps me on the deepest level,” she explains. The outdoor world allows her to let her mind wander and leaves her heart inspired.

Her favorite destinations are those that bowl move her with their gorgeous, sweeping landscapes. The invigorating red rocks of Arizona, the placid deserts of Mexico, or the dramatic mountains of Colorado. She’s especially fond of Telluride, whose impressive peaks and vast wilderness she calls magical, and allows her to ground herself through exploring nature and tapping into her creativity. 

In her quest for breathtaking natural spaces, she naturally has plans to visit all of the country’s national parks. But she’s not picky—she’ll embrace anywhere that offers the polar opposite of her bustling home of NYC. Because what is travel if not an escape? “NYC is so busy,” she says. “I’m picking [travel destinations] based on nature and quiet.” 

Beyond picking the location, not much else is needed for a fulfilling experience. Michel travels light when it comes to equipment, preferring activities that don’t require props and focusing on hiking and meditating.  But the most important part of her traveling wellness practice is unplugging — putting down her phone and getting rid of perhaps the biggest distraction that we insist on carrying around in our pockets. “We’re so inundated with noise,” she says. When visiting new places Michel is especially intentional about phone time, instead preferring to be present in the moment, paying attention to where she is and how it makes her feel. 

A good walk in nature can also do wonders—just ask the Japanese and their affinity for forest bathing. But even in big cities and airports walking can be meditative. The key, Michel says, is to be open and allow yourself to receive. 

It's key that when she’s traveling she’s not bound to her workout routine. In fact, quite the opposite. Perhaps it’s a rejection of her overscheduled childhood life or just that she’s on vacation. Traveling for her ultimately means letting go of exercise and daily routines, and just relaxing. Taking a much-needed reprieve. “I work out for a living,” she says, “so for me, not working out can be a break.” 

This article is part of our Known Traveler series where we highlight creators who share inspiring travel and lifestyle content. Check out the full edition for Wellness Wanderers.