10 of the world's most scenic yoga retreats
Today is International Yoga Day, and while one of this practice's many advantages is that you can do it anywhere, there's a lot to be said for taking your mat into the great outdoors. Here are ten of your best options, from near and far.
1. Omming in the orchards
Yoga is a key offering alongside ayurveda, Chinese medicine and Tibetan healing at this gorgeously crafted retreat set in acres of mango and lychee orchards in Uttarakhand, India. Overseen by yoga master and ayurvedic expert Dr Dhanraj Shetty, private sessions and group classes give you the chance to attend to the health of your mind and emotions as well as the body.
From ￡2,359pp, sharing a seven-night personalised wellness programme, including flights, transfers, accommodation in a Forest room, full board, treatments and consultations. Healing Holidays (0203 372 6945; healingholidays.co.uk).
2. Jivamukti with temples and tea
The pioneers of adventure yoga holidays run an excellent retreat in Japan, where twice-daily dynamic jivamukti yoga and meditation classes led by senior teacher Emma Henry are mixed with spectacular nature and traditional Japanese customs such as forest and onsen bathing, tea ceremonies and temple meditation. Stay in local inns, a camomile farm in the mountains, forest cabins and a ryokan. The next retreat runs in November, perfect for experiencing spectacular autumn colours in the remote Kunisaki peninsular and Kyoto temple gardens.
From ￡2,395pp, including accommodation, yoga classes, onsen, all activities and most meals. Flights not included. Reclaim Yourself (07939 907501; reclaimyourself.co.uk).
3. Boutique asanas by the beach
This company’s yoga holidays in Sardinia take place at a family-owned 43-room hotel with two swimming pools near the wide, sandy Torre di Bari beach. Come for grounding, strengthening yoga weeks taught by visiting teachers including jivamukti and yin yoga specialist Andrea Kwiatkowski and Forrest yoga teacher Kristi Rodelli. Classes take place on a platform with ocean views with meals based on Sardinian cuisine. Departures in July and August.
Get flexible | What type of yoga should I try?
From ￡995pp, including seven nights shared accommodation, breakfast and dinner, and all yoga. Flights and transfers not included. Destination yoga (020 3235 0122; destinationyoga.co.uk).
4. Mountain wellness
Set on a mountain with views across the Pacific Ocean, this friendly, nine-bedroom retreat in Costa Rica is the creation of health and wellness coach Diana Stobo. Come for twice-daily group yoga classes taught by expert international teachers. There are also daily walks, wellness activities and a dairy-free menu using ingredients from the retreat’s garden.
From ￡1,830pp, double occupancy for a seven-night “Disconnect & Rebalance” programme, including flights, twice-daily yoga, full board, one treatment, daily wellness classes and nature hikes. Wellbeing Escapes (020 3735 7555; wellbeingescapes.com).
5. Tropical rebalancing
This holistic haven on Koh Samui in Thailand offers treatments, holistic activities and healthy food with lots of yoga. Join daily group classes, book a, personal, yoga synergy programme year-round or come for a date-specific group retreat with master Simon Low. Next dates are Oct 18-22 and Dec 6-10.
Yoga is a serious discipline, and yes you might get hurt. Thank goodness we cleared that up
From ￡2,200pp, for a four-night retreat with Simon Low, including single accommodation, two daily yoga sessions, full board, use of spa, group holistic activities and airport transfers. Kamalaya Koh Samui (0066 77429800, kamalaya.com).
6. Hillside healing
This annual retreat led by Anusara yoga teachers Lynn Yeo and Sumei Shum offers yoga classes with healing foods and holistic therapies. You stay at Bhutan’s luxury hotels Como Uma Paro for three nights, then Como Uma Punakha in the Punakha Valley for another three. The programme includes excursions to heritage sites including Paro Taktsang. Next retreat runs Aug 12-18.
From $4,480pp (￡3,348), including six nights’ accommodation in a twin room, full board, six yoga sessions, group excursions and return airport transfers. Como Shambhala (00975 8 271597; comohotels.com).
7. Downward dogs on a stylish isle
At this super island retreat just five minutes from the Ionian Sea, luxury accommodation is split between a Venetian-style house and five Mongolian yurts. Practise two classes a day on a platform overlooking the sea and between times enjoy hiking and organic, veggie meals. Between May and October, Greece retreats are led by different teachers such as Jodi Boone. Her next runs Aug 4-11.
The best Greek islands
From ￡825pp, for seven nights including full board, yoga and transfers. Flights not included. Yoga on a Shoestring (020 7733 2996; yogaonashoestring.com).
8. Rewilding in remote jungle
This remote eco village at the foot of the Galgiriyawa mountains in Sri Lanka offers yoga holidays, ayurveda treatments and a digital detox. Stay in adobe huts dotted among 22 acres of forest scattered with jungle flowers and teeming with monkeys and birds. Open mid-June to August and November to March. Ulpotha’s Christmas and New Year’s Retreat with Chicago-based vinyasa flow teacher Wade Gotwals runs Dec 23 2018 to Jan 6 2019.
From ￡2,600pp for two weeks including accommodation, all veggie meals, two classes a day, two trips, two massages, bike rides. Ulpotha (0094 773 017 536; ulpotha.com).
9. Family yoga in the forest
Children can attend their own yoga classes at this clifftop spa hotel set in pine forest in Olhos D’água, Portugal. Three local teachers also offer daily group classes for adults in ranging styles. Classes take place outside and meditation and pranayama sessions are available.
The best spa resorts that will pamper your children too
From ￡1,650pp for five nights’ sharing a room including full board, six classes, three treatments, use of spa, return flights and transfers. Private yoga classes from €55. Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891; healthandfitnesstravel.com).
10. Breathing and bathing in the Highlands
Perched on a hill among forests and streams and overlooking Loch Awe, this wild escape in Scotland features a woodland bath beside a waterfall, an underground sauna and a solar powered hot tub to help you relax between ashtanga-based classes. Teachers include the mindfulness expert Scott Johnson, who teaches a self-practice method and encourages you to practise on your own. Come for two classes a day, talks on yoga and veggie meals. Four to seven-night group retreats run between April and June and August and November.
From ￡595pp for four nights. Eco Yoga (01546 810259; ecoyoga.org).