We are in the era of self-love, self-care, and self-discovery. This is achieved in a variety of ways depending on who you're asking. For some, this might look like a Korean face-mask and a chocolate chip cookie on a Sunday night, while for others this can look like a yoga session on a Wednesday morning.
Whether you're simply looking to de-stress or craving more advanced yoga training, there is a yoga retreat out there to meet your needs. Yoga retreats make a great vacation and can add a spiritual element to any honeymoon. Find one that speaks to you and spend a few nights in nature to connect with your inner-self.
10 Himalaya, Rishikesh, India
Phool Chatti has been offering yoga and meditation courses for over 120 years. It sits at the bottom of the Himalayan Mountains in North India. The name of this sanctuary translates to “land of flowers.” They offer different program options as well as diverse forms of yoga to cater to all kinds of people. What makes this location the perfect place to practice yoga is its secluded grounds which is completely free of all kinds of pollution.
For the participants of their yoga retreats, they offer fully furnished rooms and a healthy meal plan that is available throughout your stay.
9 Sedona, Arizona
The Sedona Yoga Festival is a 3-day retreat in Arizona that focuses on yoga and the development of consciousness. The dates for 2020 is March 12-16. It offers more than 200 relevant events including classes, performances, and workshops. The festival is family-friendly and offers yoga for kids which is completely free and open to the public.
Some other elements of the festival include excursions to explore Sedona, as well as specific yoga classes to help with anxiety, PTSD, and much more. Surrounded by yoga enthusiasts and professionals, this can definitely be classified as one of the best places to do yoga.
8 Hariharalaya, Cambodia
Hariharalaya retreat center is constructed using 100% natural materials, staying true to Cambodian style villages. It’s within walking distance from many temples and a large jungle area for those wanting to explore more of Cambodia. The program offered at this center focuses on a holistic approach to health, one that includes yoga, meditation, and vegan meals. Their classes provide support for the people attempting to integrate the experience in their day-to-day lives.
Their motto is Eat, Pray, Love. This center practices what they preach and allows their members to explore each of those elements in hopes to create a positive lifestyle change.
7 Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Shambhala Mountain Center is a 600 acre center in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado encased by nature. The size of this land is justified by its range of programs, including over 100 options for retreats including meditation, creativity, yoga and relationship-focused work for couples and families.
This center was founded by Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1971 with the intention of using the surrounding nature to help with rediscovery, well-being, and restoration of peace. Its modern campus, paired with its scenic location is the perfect place for a practicing yogi.
6 Silver Island, Greece
This privately owned island lends itself to people searching for tranquility and rejuvenation. It is the home of Silver Island Yoga, which is an exclusive retreat hosting up to 10 guests at a time. It is eco-friendly, using solar power for both electricity and as a source of heat. All toiletries are biodegradable with locally produced materials.
The yoga retreat offers a full meal plan as well as the equipment needed for the yoga classes. It is truly the perfect place to practice yoga. The secluded nature of this island leaves the noise pollution behind and prevents distraction.
5 Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica
Pranamar Villas is a hotel on the coast of Costa Rica, nestled in the wilderness. Surrounded by the beach, jungles and more, it’s a beautiful location to center yourself. They offer all-inclusive yoga vacations with daily classes taught by trained professionals.
The hotel also offers other services, such as restaurant and spa packages to make your stay more enjoyable. If a retreat sounds too intense for you, they also have a mixed yoga and surf package that offers the best of both worlds and has a more relaxed approach.
If you and your newlywed are both yoga fanatics, this is the perfect place for a honeymoon (they offer a package for that too!).
4 Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast is one of the biggest destinations for tourism in Italy. Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreats is operated by a certified yoga instructor and local of the region. This private villa is organized so its guests can experience Southern Italy as authentically as possible.
The package includes professionally-taught daily yoga classes with a view of the sea, as well as food, tours, cooking classes, excursions, and more. This all-inclusive villa is the perfect place for a yoga-practicing globetrotter looking to practice mindfulness as well as become immersed in the Italian culture that surrounds it.
3 Sacred Valley, Peru
Samadhi, meaning “union with the divine,” is a facility in Peru dedicated to yoga and meditation. The goal of Samadhi is to work toward the conscience state of the divine through yoga, plant-based dieting, culture, and art therapy.
The stunning view from their accommodation helps create the overall experience that Samadhi strives for by immersing the guests into a natural environment. This facility dedicates itself to teaching its guests how to connect to mother earth by taking a holistic and spiritual approach. Their yoga-mediation classes focus on self-knowledge and guides you to be your own teacher.
2 Koh Phangan, Thailand
The Sanctuary is a resort and spa on the beaches of Thailand. The yoga program at this resort is one of the first-ever established in the country and has been a part of their experience for over 25 years. The Sanctuary regards yoga as an ancient practice and encourages its guests to take advantage of the opportunities offered to them.
They offer 3 daily classes for any guest willing to participate. With different levels and forms of yoga, you’re sure to find something that suits your beliefs, practices, and goals. Not to mention, their meditation classes are free!
1 Lanzarote, Spain
Kalindi guesthouse in Spain is far away enough from the city center that you can escape the fast-paced environment, but it is central enough that it is 15-20 minutes away from the popular beaches in the area.
What sets Kalindi apart from the other retreats is its focus on reducing stress and improving mental health. The goal of the stress release yoga retreat is to guide its guests towards emotional healing. The retreat includes multiple yoga classes a day of different styles as well as massages and conflict resolution therapy. This is a great place to start your healing process through the practice of yoga and meditation.