Yoga retreats around the world
With International yoga day coming up on 21st June, it got us thinking about all the benefits of yoga and how it is designed for everyone – it doesn’t matter what age or shape you are, there is a style of yoga out there for you to enjoy. In fact, our own Ambassador and qualified yoga instructor Kristina Rihanoff has been practising yoga for 17 years. Kristina likes to do about 20 minutes of yoga daily, especially before dance shows, and she believes It gives her body all the flexibility and stamina she needs for dancing.
Another reason we can’t get enough of yoga is that you can literally take your mat with you wherever you go any place, anytime. Wouldn’t it be nice to go off the beaten track and experience this liberating form of exercise on a breathtakingly beautiful retreat? Well luckily for you, we have a list of the top yoga retreats around the world that will make your yoga experience that more memorable.
A seven-day retreat nestled in the lush green mountains of Sri Lanka, the perfect setting for rest and relaxation. This yoga retreat includes meditation, spa treatments, hiking and mountain biking, as well as the central activity for the week – yoga.
Imagine a blissful yoga retreat on your own private island overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by 60 acres of gently rolling hills, small idyllic coves, ancient old olive groves, cypress trees and wild flowers.
For more serious yogis, head to The Bodhi Tree located in the tranquil foothills of Nosara, Costa Rica. Creatively designed around nature, leaving the surrounding jungle as it was meant to be, this retreat’s focus is wellness. Expect plenty of yoga, green smoothies and healthy, organic food! By the time you leave, you will have fully embraced the country’s mantra, ‘Pura Vida’ (Pure Life).
If you’re looking for a more affordable and down to earth retreat not far from the UK, YogaFit is the one for you. They let you create your own yoga experience, with the opportunity to do as many as eight classes every day, and you can do as much or as little as you want. There are also different types of yoga to try.
A beachfront yoga retreat in Cambutal, Panama, where you can practise yoga daily. Learn to surf, refuel with farm-to-table meals, and get your jungle fix by exploring the nearby Cerro Hoya National Park.
India is the place where yoga is believed to have started, so it's no wonder that this country is something of a haven for yoga enthusiasts. This is the most luxurious yoga retreat on the list, set in the grounds of a Maharaja's palace at the Himalayan foothills, and you can escape to this world-class experience for one, two or three weeks.
Voted best Bali yoga retreat two years running and we can certainly see why. Located in the small village of Sukawati, Bali, they have created a sustainable, eco-friendly yoga retreat where you can fully relax and focus on yourself and your personal transformation.
Suan Sati Yoga Retreat is known to be one of the cheapest in Thailand. Only 30 minutes from Chiang Mai, it is surrounded by lakes, rice fields, and forests, and overlooked by picturesque mountains. You'll get to experience traditional rural Thai life because the retreat considers itself a community, encouraging guests to interact with the locals and attend the Buddhist temple.
Mexico is one of the top yoga retreat destinations in the world and Amansala is no exception. Amansala means peace and waters and this yoga retreat is surrounded by white sand, palm trees and turquoise water. It is a place where people come to rejuvenate their mind, spirit and body in one of the three yoga shalas.
Guests can enjoy a spot of yoga overlooking forests, streams, waterfalls, and the breathtakingly beautiful Loch Awe. This yoga retreat is all about sustainable eco living with solar panels, a wind turbine and a bio-mass pellet boiler; its carbon footprint is practically zero.
Whilst you’re at one of these yoga retreats, you could add a few drops of Forever Essential Oils to a tissue tucked under the corner of your yoga mat to encourage maximum benefit throughout your session. Also, remember to drink a protein shake like Forever Lite Ultra immediately after you exercise – you’re much more likely to gain muscle. To find out more about the power of yoga, read issue one of Aloe Life.
Which retreat do you like the sound of? Let us know by commenting below.