4 Enchanting Yoga Destinations You Can Escape To!

In order to practice yoga, you don’t need much in terms of equipment or space. Enough room to lay down a mat is more than sufficient. But the environment that you practice in does matter. Ideally, it should be airy, filled with light, energizing and calming in ambiance at the same time. Or in other words… your living room floor!

But once in a while, who doesn’t wish for a change in scenery? Moreover, an occasional getaway can be a good reminder of how important it can be to find time to do the things that we love. Even seasoned practitioners and trainers take off for a retreat or a teacher training occasionally in some far off, exotic locale like Bali or Spain.

All this should be reason enough for you to head off to a dedicated yoga retreat! With the recent boom in popularity for yoga across the world, there is no dearth of destinations that suit every lifestyle and budget.

If the thought entices you enough to look up your next holiday destination, we have the perfect solution for you. Without further delay, here is our list of happening yoga hotspots across the globe.

Benaras, India

Serious practitioners of yoga consider a visit to the birthplace of yoga an essential experience in a lifetime. But India’s singular magic can be as enchanting for laymen as it is for globe-trotting yogis —and what better place to start off than the spiritual holy town of Banaras (Varanasi).

An incredible place with sacred temples on the banks of the holy river Ganga is the right location to absorb real life experiences on various aspects such as devotion, service, and spirituality.

Rishikesh or the ‘world capital of yoga,’ is another one of the rare places in the world where you actually get to be trained by a traditional ‘Yogi’ dressed in robes! There are several ashrams where the traditional wisdom is imparted as well as resort’s off the beaten track devoted to yoga teacher training in the hills and also in popular seaside homestays.

Bali, Indonesia

There is much more to Bali than what’s depicted in “Eat, Pray, Love?,” the 2006 bestseller that has driven hundreds of thousands of (mostly) women to this obscure island in Asia. Bali is pretty much everyone’s dream vacation and also chock full of must-visit destinations for yogis of all hues.

A Balinese yoga retreat will let you escape to a beautiful and exotic haven away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You can work out, meditate, eat healthy food or simply relax day long.

There is no dearth of experienced yoga teachers, studios and holiday retreats. Small fishing villages that dot the pristine coastline of the island is home to a collection of chic beach resorts and some of the region’s best snorkeling and diving spots. You get to practice yoga in the open air – on platforms that either overlook the azure sea, or rolling hillsides and fields.

For those with an interest in the exotic, an exposure to Balinese culture can be enthralling, especially for westerners. Holidays see batches of tourists from all over U.S. as well as Europe.

Nosara, Costa Rica

Well known for its biodiversity, surf friendly shores, adventure tours and friendly locals, Costa Rica also happens to be a top destination for yoga enthusiasts. Several yoga retreats are open throughout the year, with daily classes that are open to both locals and guests. Some boutique retreats are elevated above the surroundings with spectacular views of the ocean, rain forests and waterfalls making for a surreal setting to practice yoga.

In addition to yoga, wellness and education centers conduct workshops related to health, sustainable living, spirituality and personal growth. Numerous Eco-friendly retreats host specialized yoga vacations that also include organic meals that are farm to table and served in communal settings. A truly marvelous opportunity to indulge yourself while benefiting from rejuvenation in the bargain!

Costa Rica’s wellness capital, Nosara is an ideal place to space-out, rediscover one’s balance and fully embrace the yogi lifestyle. It is home to a health and environment conscious expat beach community that has for years drawn surfers, nature enthusiasts and yogis from around the world. A vast selection of lodgings are available – ranging from budget-friendly hotels and hostels to more upscale resorts and luxury property rentals.

Ibiza, Spain

More famous for its clubs and nightlife, it’s surprising that Ibiza is also a top destination for aspiring yogis, particularly the quieter north-eastern coastline. As the new year festivities wind down, the party crowds leave the shores, making it the perfect time to explore the island’s gorgeous landscapes and indulge in the natural bounty.

One can start off with some ‘surya namaskar’ or sunrise yoga on a deck overlooking the ocean, progress to some high-intensity interval training workout and end the session with a cooling dip in the sea. You can also partake in guided meditation sessions at some of the world’s most sacred and enchanting spots. If you feel up to it, you can try out Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), the new fad great fad that’ll have you look at even standard yoga poses in an all new perspective. (If you’re interested in SUP retreats, check out Kite West.)

During the downtime amid all the hectic yoga teacher training or off-days you can discover the hidden treasures of Ibiza – the pine scented forest paths, obscure bays with crystal clear water, uncovering quartz crystals and witnessing magical sunsets in the cozy lap of nature. The surprisingly healing vibes energize you for further adventures ahead or calm you down as you stretch out and relax after a day of exploring.

Be it a beach, a hilltop or mountain side, in the middle of the rainforest or paddy fields, these exotic destinations have no dearth of ideal spots for those looking to relax, reflect and rejuvenate their jaded minds and tired bodies with yoga, healthy food, and meditation.

A word of caution though: while most yoga retreats host retreat and training programs throughout the year, it’s always a good idea to book ahead during the holiday season.

How to stay healthy while travelling

I love travelling. But I don’t always like its impact on my body.

While travelling can create novel opportunities for exercise (ie: sightseeing a new city, doing a vacation sport like skiing), the fact is that travel will often disrupt our cherished wellness regimes. When we are away from our habitual classes and teachers, it can be easy to fall off of our health wagon. (And I don’t know about you, but I’ve been guilty of treating vacation as an opportunity to “take time off, ” and then found out that I felt worse rather than better!)

However, with a little ingenuity and planning, we can not only feel great on our vacations, but feel better, more healthy, and better rested. 

Here are some of my personal tips.

Cultivate irrepressibility.

Are you embarrassed to do a little warrior two on the plane? Sheepish about whipping out a sun salutation near

your gate at the airport? Yes, thats normal! Most of us are a little self-conscious when we buck the norms in a public place. But as someone who has done the full Ashtanga primary series at Heathrow Airport, let me tell you that my body’s sigh of

relief was well-worth my pangs of mortification. While you may not need to do your HIIT routine in public, embrace a little social awkwardness and run yourself through some stretches and lunges. Your body will thank you. Even better, some airports are now developing DIY yoga and stretch stations. Do a little research before you travel and find out if you can work a practice into your layover.

Celebrate Small Daily Acts.

When we go on vacation, we may not need to do our usual workout routine. But doing a little will go a remarkably long way towards keeping your baseline strong. Even if you don’t have time for a class, do twenty sit-ups, twenty lunges, and hold plank for a minute. Do little end of the day yoga stretch. Even five-ten minutes will help you feel better.

Go local.

Travelling brings fun opportunities to participate in the local scene, and walking can be a great way to take in a new town. See if there is a local bike or walking tour so that you can learn about local history as you go. Maybe there’s a local 5K to run. And if your travel involves physical activity (scuba, skiing, snowshoeing), so much the better!

Bring your balls.

I take my Roll Model® Massage Therapy Balls everywhere. Rolling around on them for ten minutes makes me feel like I had a spa treatment. You can get great little sequences online with Jill Miller to target grumpy body areas. (I LOVE her, she’s a pro.) But you can even just bring a tennis ball. That’s right. A tennis ball. Just seeing it in your luggage will remind you to give yourself a little TLC.

Drink water.

Okay, I love coffee. Love it, love it love it. But when I travel, I guzzle water. Water helps you to stay hydrated, flushes out your system, and will help you arrive at your destination feeling cleaner and clearer from the inside out. Take your own travel bottle so that you don’t have to buy water (unless you’re in a non-potable water zone). Let’s try to keep disposable plastic out of the picture.

I got this handy little infographic to the right from De Vere Hotels UK.

They offer some actionable and common sense ways that you can use to minimize the effects of your travel on your body. If you have some favorite tips and tricks, share ’em below. Happy trails!

Giveaway: Win a 5-day Spirit Pass to BaliSpirit Festival!

What is  BaliSpirit Festival?

BaliSpirit Festival is an international yoga and music festival, celebrating community and well-being in Ubud, Bali, April 2-8, 2018. 
Now in its 11th year and moving from strength to strength, the BaliSpirit Festival has become increasingly global, attracting international leaders and a surging audience of empowered attendees from across the globe. Growing number of Yoga-Dance-Culture lovers, Music, and Wellness fanatics are joining us every year from over 50 nations for this 6-day and 7-night event on the idyllic tropical island of Bali.

The Festival Vision

  • To awaken and nourish each individual’s potential for positive change within, leading to positive change in our homes, in our communities, and around the world.
  • Through beneficial and inspirational traditions of Yoga, Dance, and Music, the Festival illustrates the Balinese Hindu concept of Tri Hita Karana: living in harmony with our spiritual, social, and natural environments.
  • To nourishing our own home in Bali, the founders pledge to provide financial, logistical, and organizational support to local charities, with a special emphasis on children’s programs, multicultural education and performance, healthcare, HIV&AIDS awareness, and environmental conservation in Bali and greater Indonesia.

Giveaway Details

  • 5-DAY SPIRIT PASS
  • $650 USD value
  • The pass valid for April 2-7, 2018 – 5 days & 6 nights
  • Enter by November 20 (winner chosen by December 1)

Includes:

  • Pre-festival opening party – April 2
  • Unlimited access to all daytime workshops – April 3-7
  • Unlimited access to all music nights – April 3-7

By donation:

  • Access to Community Day & Closing Ceremony – April 8

Does NOT Include:

  •  Special Events & Shuttle Service
However, you can still get a $75 discount on the Festival by using the promocode RachelYoga!
Check it out.

Review: Book Yoga Retreats

As many of you know, I took a yoga retreat to Bali recently. In fact, this was my first yoga retreat ever as a practitioner! Part of the reason that I took this yoga retreat was because the folks at Book Yoga Retreats gave me a shout and asked me to review their services.

Me: “Wait. You’re going to help fund me to go on a yoga retreat in exchange for an honest review?”

BYR: “Yes.”

Me: “And I can go anywhere you offer retreats?”

BYR: “Yes.”

Me: “Is there a catch?”

BYR: “No.”

Me: “Ummmm…okay?” (Small dance of incredulous joy.)

What an offer! I immediately started investigating my options. Book Yoga Retreats has literally thousands of retreats on their site. The possibilities were – quite literally – boggling. While I did check out options from all over the world, I ultimately narrowed my search down to Indonesia. Bali has been on my list for quite a few years, so why not go there?

Book Yoga Retreats is very user-friendly. Because – like many of us – I have a job, I needed to look at specific dates for going away. No problem. I input my start date and geographic region and then scrolled through the options.

I could search by several parameters:

  • region
  • categories (there are 80 to choose from, and the categories include pricing preference)
  • dates
  • yoga style

When I input “Bali” and my start date, the site returned about 200 retreats (amazing!). I could then sort the results by:

  • recommendations
  • price
  • duration
  • popularity
  • number of reviews

Being conscious of my budget, I tailored my search by price. Each listing had a photo and a quick blurb that included price, location, reviews, languages, available dates, and amenities. I could easily earmark my “favorites” with a heart and return to them quickly for further review.

By clicking on “see details,” I could see more photos, retreat highlights, recommendations, location, cancellations policies, and retreat details. The listing template is very thorough; you know exactly what you are going to get. With one-click, you can request a reservation or communicate directly with the host. I found the candid testimonials for each listing extremely helpful, especially because they weren’t all rave reviews. The testimonials provided the information I needed to feel confident about my retreat decision.

I contacted about ten different venues to ask specific questions about their retreats. In almost every case, I received a response from the hosts very quickly, directly to my email. The one time that I didn’t receive a quick reply, I received a note of apology from Book Yoga Retreats and suggestions for other, similar retreats. Communication with the hosts was very easy and secure payment was a snap. My only complaint about communication was that I did not have an easy access link to these conversations through the Book Yoga Retreats website; I had to click from the link that I received via email.

Summary of Pro’s

  • Thousands of retreats to choose from
  • Detailed listing template
  • Lots of helpful photos
  • Easily find a retreat to fit your schedule, budget and desires
  • Testimonials from fellow travellers give you a candid sense of the venue
  • Easy communication
  • Easy booking and secure payment

I loved my experience with Book Yoga Retreats. My package included yoga lessons, surf lessons, massages, snorkelling, and two daily meals – all for under $700. What a deal! However, it’s useful to understand that my priority was to find a retreat that fit my budget, time, and desired activities; my priority was not to find the best quality yoga. Strangely (for a yoga retreat) my priority was not my yoga experience. I am a teacher trainer and have practiced yoga for a long time. While I expected the classes to be safe and pleasant, I didn’t expect to find my next guru. My expectations were well-founded; although my teacher was lovely, she was newly certified and did not have much teaching experience.

If you’re going to a retreat centre that runs on-going yoga classes, it’s likely that the yoga classes are either outsourced to a local studio or taught by live-in yogis. For example, on my retreat, I took my yoga classes down the street at an independent studio. Signing up for the “retreat” was a way of having a few enticing services (yoga, massage, and surf lessons) conveniently batched into one price point. My hotel took responsibility for coordinating these services with local vendors. So yogi beware: your teacher may have gotten certified three months ago. They may teach an unusual style. Strangely (for a yoga retreat), the quality of the yoga may not really be the point.

If I had wanted to go on a yoga retreat to specifically deepen my practice, then I would have sought out a specific teacher for my continuing education and then tailored my vacation time around their specific retreat. While some yoga teachers do advertise on Book Yoga Retreats, it is not easy to search for them.

Bottom line: if you want to practice a specific yoga style or are looking to study yoga with a particular teacher, book your yoga retreat through your teacher directly. Book Yoga Retreats is not a source for educational yoga retreats, but for experiential yoga retreats. Book Yoga Retreats specializes in servicing the casual yogi, who is open to experiencing whatever yoga style is provided.

Summary of Con’s

  • You probably won’t know who your yoga teacher is
  • Teaching quality may vary
  • Yoga styles may not be accurately listed
  • No access to communication with host via website (you can only access conversations via email)
  • Sometimes it’s hard to know why yoga retreats may have widely different price points

Book Yoga Retreats is continually striving to improve. When we chatted about my feedback, they mentioned that they were working on their search parameters and hope to develop better tools to support searches for educational and teacher-driven retreats.

To summarize, their niche (and they excel at it):

Book Yoga Retreats provides casual yogis and adventurers with access to a wide range of retreat experiences in fascinating locations around the world.

If you’ve got some wanderlust, head on over to their site and take a look. Get inspired by the possibilities.

Yoga tourism and teacher trainings in Bali

The Yoga Barn has a wall that displays posters of its workshops. The teachers are predominantly white.

Travelling to Bali brought up mixed feelings. Happy to be there, certainly, but also confounded by the rampant yoga tourism. Who can blame the people here for giving us what we want? Whether it’s cheap massages (which don’t seem be frequented by the Balinese), asana classes (taught by non-locals) or raw, organic food (the Balinese tend to eat fried rice), I felt like I was sloshing down a tourist water slide. And I also felt like I was in danger of missing the point of travelling to Indonesia.

I didn’t take any yoga classes in Ubud, because I didn’t feel like paying thirteen bucks to go to Geoff’s class in Bali when I can get great yoga at home. I wanted to experience Balinese culture, not western culture set in an Indonesian setting. Maybe everyone else got the memo, but asana is not a Balinese tradition. The Balinese are Hindu, yes, but their daily life revolves around bhakti (devotional) yoga and temple ceremonies. My guide Wayan explained to me that people in Bali seek balance and clarity. Through ceremonies and offerings, they create balance, love, and community. However, there has been a huge uptick in last ten years (especially since Eat, Pray, Love) of yoga-seeking visitors. Bali offers an insane number of yoga retreats and is a hot destination for yoga teacher trainings. I suppose the only reason this bugs me is because Bali has become known as a destination for yoga asana. Which is not Balinese.

Here’s my point. If you’re going to Bali to do yoga or do your teacher training, then know that you are going to a beautiful location to participate in something that is, well, taught by foreigners. It’s like doing your TT in Costa Rica: great setting, great experience, but not indigenous to the local culture. I’m not casting stones: for the first week that I was in Bali, I participated in a yoga retreat where I went to classes taught by a nice gal who had done her teacher training with someone from Colorado. It wasn’t great yoga, but yes, it was a nice vacation.

My advice: if you’re going to make the trek all the way to Bali, don’t settle for just the yoga. Seek out the culture that lies beneath the asana and massage. Go to the temples. Talk to your Balinese drivers. See Balinese dance. Eat Nasi Goreng.

I understand that – unless we decided to make our homes in Bali – we’ll probably never get off the tourist train completely. That’s simply the nature of travel. However, wouldn’t it be more interesting to get on a train that has an Indonesian view?