If you struggle to fit self-care into your busy schedule, why not demand more from your next vacation? Sure, a beach getaway will help you unwind, but it doesn’t leave you with strategies to manage the stress that will inevitably return once the vacation is over. The solution to that problem might just be a tranquil stay at one of the best yoga retreats in the world, such as Italy’s Mandali Retreat Center or Ananda in the Himalayas. Thanks to yoga’s persistent popularity, there are many options to choose from.
Top 5 Can’t Miss
- Harness the healing power of yoga and meditation at Sen Wellness Sanctuary in Sri Lanka.
- Soulscape retreats are held around the world, providing you with the opportunity to visit a new destination while deepening your yoga practice.
- The ability to personalize your retreat experience is something that Ashiyana Goa is known for.
- Spain’s Andalusian countryside is the backdrop for your visit to Suryalila Retreat Center.
- Head to the Sonoran Desert to experience Chopra Health Retreat at Civana Wellness Resort & Spa.
Sen Wellness Sanctuary, Sri Lanka
Founded by osteopath Dr. Sam Kankanamge, the Sen Wellness Sanctuary is nestled on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Its tailor-made wellness programs are rooted in Ayurveda and other healing modalities. In addition to meditation and yoga, they include sound healing for deep relaxation and energy clearing, as well as local excursions and acupuncture.
Soulscape, Worldwide
Head to beautiful destinations like Queenstown, New Zealand, and Sardinia, Italy, to experience Soulscape retreats. These immersive experiences last about six days and include accommodations, meals, and twice-daily yoga and meditation. Group excursions like beach days and canyoning adventures are available if you wish to push yourself beyond yoga.
Ashiyana, India
No list of yoga retreats would be complete without an option in India. In addition to training new and experienced teachers, Ashiyana Goa suits practitioners of all levels, offering an extensive range of retreats throughout the year. Personalize your yoga holiday with drop-in classes, one-to-one holistic yoga therapy, or by opting into the Holistic Elixir Program, which combines yoga therapy, massage, meditation, and pranayama (breath work). Rooms range from beach huts to luxury suites. Ashiyana also has locations in Brazil and Spain.
Suryalila Retreat Center, Spain
Take in tranquil views during your practice at the Suryalila Retreat Center, surrounded by the rolling hills of the Andalusian countryside. The center offers retreats throughout the year, though guests can come any time to stay at the hotel and take part in daily classes. It also provides teacher training for those who want to share their yoga skills with the world.
Chopra Health Retreat, U.S.
Set at Civana Wellness Resort & Spa in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, the Chopra Health Retreat includes daily meditation and yoga, custom spa experiences, and vegan meals prepared with ayurvedic principles over the course of a four-night stay.
Cliffs of Moher Retreat, Ireland
The Cliffs of Moher Retreat offers yoga, meditation, and breathwork experiences in a stunning studio with a view of the rocky cliffs and Atlantic Ocean. The studio is within walking distance of the Cliffs of Moher, so you can add hiking to your daily wellness practice. The retreat specializes in the Wim Hof Method, which teaches practitioners to utilize cold exposure and breathing techniques to improve health.
Mandali Retreat Center, Italy
Offering yoga retreats of varying lengths from five to seven days, Mandali is a nonprofit center dedicated entirely to cultivating self-reflection, healing, and relaxation. Its location in the foothills of the Italian Alps helps create an atmosphere of sheer tranquility. The center is deeply committed to sustainability — it was built using reclaimed materials, its heating system relies on natural wood chips, and the kitchen and swimming pool are powered by solar energy, while any surplus power is shared with the local grid.
Blue Spirit, Costa Rica
Perched on a hilltop overlooking a three-mile-long white-sand beach and protected turtle refuge, Blue Spirit is a popular retreat destination. Blue Spirit’s week-long retreats aren’t always yoga-specific — they also sometimes include dance, meditation, storytelling, pilates, and shamanic medicine.
Retreats at Casa Fuzetta, Portugal
Located in the heart of Olhao’s old town, Casa Fuzetta is the Algarve’s hidden gem — a private residence complete with a rooftop pool. It hosts a number of retreats throughout the year guided by some of the world’s best teachers. Retreats vary in focus and include daily yoga, nourishing meals, and excursions.
Surf Maroc, Morocco
Pair your yoga with a surf session at Surf Maroc. The retreat center is made up of three oceanfront locations, including a hotel and two villas available for groups. Each offers guests the opportunity to take part in in-depth surf and yoga training, including week-long retreats that will help you master both skills.
Miraval Arizona, U.S.
While not a traditional yoga retreat per se, Miraval Arizona is one of the country’s best wellness resorts. It offers a wide variety of included and supplemental yoga classes, as well as other experiences like guided nature walks, mountain biking, and beekeeping workshops. If you’d prefer some flexibility on your yoga vacation, you might enjoy the DIY approach to a retreat in this desert oasis.
Shambala Gatherings, Sweden
A lakeside retreat center in the forest of Bergslagen, just a two-hour drive from Stockholm, Shambala Gatherings provides the perfect setting to go offline and get back to nature. You’ll replace screen time with yoga, meditation, forest immersion, kirtan (shared devotional song), and add-on treatments like Ayurvedic massage. International teachers host various themed retreats throughout the year, pairing the restorative impact of yoga with amenities like a floating sauna and sweatlodge.
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat, South Africa
Find a little inner peace with an escape to Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat. The gorgeous center, located in the Overberg region, offers visitors the chance to unwind in its simple but elegant cottages, nature-surrounded yurts, and monastery-style single rooms. Guests can join a scheduled retreat or plan a two- or three-night bespoke experience filled with yoga, meditation, and nourishing meals.
Anamaya, Costa Rica
Those seeking a gorgeous landscape to admire during their yoga getaway will find it at this center in the beach community of Montezuma. At Anamaya (a traditional Hindi name meaning “good health”), guests can take part in specialized workshops, retreats offered throughout the year, yoga teacher training courses, and even excursions to help them get to know the area a little better.
Como Shambhala Estate, Bali
Simple, elegant, and relaxing are all the ways to describe Como Shambhala Estate. This estate outside of Ubud is an ideal place to book a yoga-centric getaway, thanks to its calming environment paired with daily programming, including rice field bike rides, nature walks, pilates, hydrotherapy, and cardio classes in addition to your standard flow sessions. Spa services and other integrated wellness offerings abound to restore guests from the inside out.
Tia Wellness Resort, Vietnam
Everything at the Tia Wellness Resort in Da Nang is personalized — from daily meal plans to one-on-one training sessions with a yoga teacher and individual spa offerings. Guests can also plan their journey around one of the resort’s master class offerings and go deep on topics from breathwork to tai chi.
Sanará Tulum, Mexico
Come relax by the azure waters of the Caribbean with a stay at Sanará Tulum, a wellness retreat right on the beach. Here, guests are invited to live in “barefoot luxury” and take part in the numerous wellness offerings like yoga classes and spa services, as well as nourish their bodies at the hotel’s whole food-focused eatery, Real Coconut Kitchen.
Esalen, U.S.
Esalen opened in 1962 in a privileged location in Big Sur, California, arguably the most tranquil setting there is for a wellness retreat. The property dubs itself an “intentional community” and invites self-reflecting guests to dive deep into specific wellness educational offerings, including energy work and transformational healing. Of course, it provides plentiful yoga teachings, too.
Ananda in the Himalayas, India
Find a little solitude while staying at Ananda in the Himalayas, located in northern India. Sitting on 100 acres of wilderness, this resort helps guests feel like they’ve truly escaped the rest of the world so they can focus only on their health and wellness intentions. Here, visitors can take part in traditional Ayurveda and yoga offerings. They’re also asked to set goals prior to their visit to ensure the staff knows how to guide their bespoke experience from check-in to checkout.
The Farm at San Benito, Philippines
The Farm at San Benito, located in the Philippines, is yet another gorgeous getaway located on more than 100 acres of lush landscapes, which helps set the quiet, calm mood. Here, guests can breathe in the warm, fresh air and exhale all their troubles. They can also take part in one of the resort’s many wellness programs, which include everything from a yoga and raw food retreat to offerings focused on beauty and longevity, mental health, and senior wellness.
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