For those of you who are not familiar with the word yoga or what it means, allow me to re-introduce it to you. Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines that originated in ancient India, to control and make the mind still.
The discipline became popular in the 20th century and took off like the 4th of July. Today, yoga has become a wellness lifestyle. Gyms incorporate it as part of their exercise package and even bring in expert yoga trainers.
The word retreat has also become synonymous with the yoga community and represents the need for one to withdraw temporarily from their everyday hassles and stressful life. Yoga has become a zen structure for most people, myself included. It has become a part of who I am, instead of feeling like some routine exercise I do just to stay in shape.
More people are now turning to yoga to help combat stress and bring wellness to their lives. In this article, I will take you around the globe and show you six yoga retreats that you need to visit.
1. Sen Wellness Sanctuary in Sri Lanka
If the words ‘peaceful haven’ were the first thing that came to mind when you began your yoga retreat search, then look no further.
Founded by London-based osteopath Dr Sam Kankanange, Sen Wellness Sanctuary is located on the Southern coast of Sri Lanka and offers one of the most highly acclaimed wellness retreats in the world. The sanctuary has state-of-the-art accommodations, featuring huts and cabanas. It also offers the ultimate luxury, which is surrounded by trees and exotic birds, giving you the perfect relaxation sound.
Their tailor-made wellness programs are offered throughout the year and are rooted in Ayurvedic treatment, offering classes such as Kundalini, Vinyasa, Yin yoga, and meditation. One of the Ayurvedic treatment programs includes sound and gong baths for deep relaxation, energy clearing and as well as Ayurvedic cooking classes and more.
2. Ananda in the Himalayas in Rishikesh, India
This luxurious resort is famous for its ayurvedic treatments. Ananda is located on a hill overlooking the city of Rishikesh. It mainly offers a variety of yoga and meditation retreats. Every detail at Ananda in the Himalayas is well thought out, from the private pools and the decor to the landscaped gardens that overlook Ganga Beach.
The resort’s Yogic Detox Retreat offers the following packages for your accommodation stay: a 5-, 7- or 14-day program that features amazing Ayurvedic meals to choose from. On top of that, you can either participate in group ayurvedic sessions or individualised yoga sessions.
The resort’s majestic surroundings are the reason it was ranked the number-one destination spa in 2020.
3. Sanará Tulum in Mexico
Welcome home, says Sanará, a barefoot luxury hotel on Tulum Beach in magnificent Mexico. The word ‘Sanará’ In Spanish means ‘for you will heal’ and this tranquil retreat aims to revitalise both your mind and body with its immersive wellness experience.
You will feel the warmth of the pristine white sand between your toes as you travel between the beach and Sanara’s garden sanctuaries. This hotel truly is a world-class wellness centre, not forgetting the highly acclaimed conscious kitchen, The Real Coconut.
This is one of the reasons guests keep coming back year after year and end up becoming part of the Sanará family. The resort offers you healing as you walk through the passages, and the intimate feel of family and community offers a sense of serenity not found anywhere else.
Sanará truly is the ultimate holistic spot for zen seekers.
4. Absolute Sanctuary in Thailand
Reconnect, recharge, revitalise and re-energise. Those are the first words you see when you visit Absolute Sanctuary. This fitness wellness resort is the ultimate fitness package. They offer a spiritual enclave with 22 one-to-one yoga and detox programmes. This 4-star hotel also offers balanced superfood meals and comprehensive wellness consultations based on the number of days you plan on staying at the intensive retreat. Absolute Sanctuary is Asia’s top wellness resort for fitness, health, lifestyle, weight management, and more.
The resort sets the benchmark for effective wellness programs that will transform you into the best you. They pride themselves on being experts in yoga, Pilates, and healthy food programs. Absolute Sanctuary is the place to reconnect with yourself.
Their promise to you is the following: to ‘lead you to the journey to discover the best you and transform you’. That promise truly makes Absolute Sanctuary the best at what they do.
5. Blue Spirit in Costa Rica
Universally considered a yoga mecca, Bue Spirit is located on the top of a hill with a magnificent view of the Pacific and Guiones Beach in Nosara. It is home to 32 amazing retreats.
Blue Spirit is highly acclaimed for its tranquil surroundings, serene international community of yoga teachers, and sages and holistic lifestyle.
Their week-long yoga retreats are focused on cultivating mindfulness, self-reflection, healing, and relaxation. At Blue Spirit, you can also experience some learning, which includes workshops on unlocking your purpose and Rechtschaffer-led lectures on finding the path to longevity.
Another bonus that you receive from Blue Spirit is a variety of studios and teachers from around the world that host retreats. People have reported experiencing their highest level of well-being at Blue Spirit, making it one of the most popular destination spots for retreats.
6. Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat in Overberg
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat would like to help you discover your true nature. The peaceful retreat is nestled at the foot of Witkransberg, in the beautiful Overberg region.
This retreat is your personal safe space to connect with nature, assisting you to find deep rest and renewal while experiencing an inner transformation that awakens the wisdom of your heart. The retreat is open all year round to solo and facilitated group retreats. The place manages to combine nature and sustainability with spirituality.
Bodhi Khaya offers everything you need for a remote retreat, including hiking trails, swimming ponds, meditation, yoga classes and even a labyrinth. The labyrinth helps you test your mental capabilities and gives you time to disconnect from the outside stresses and reconnect to yourself.
Bodhi Khaya truly lets you experience nature and South Africa’s best. As part of their reforestation initiative, each guest is given an indigenous tree to plant and the place also offers vegetarian meals and meditation. This place truly is Africa’s Eden.
