Namaste: The best yoga centers from around the world
Does stress somehow manage to seep into your daily life? Do you want to get away from it all? We have compiled a list of peaceful yoga centers around the world. Put on your yoga tights and achieve total relaxation!
Koh Samui – Thailand Yoga Camp
If you’re after a tropical setting, warm weather, and world-renowned teachers, then Thailand is your new best friend. While Koh Samui may not be a serene and tranquil place at first glance, look beyond the family-hungry hotels and crowded beaches, take a long walk and join the industry-leading Samahita Retreat. Located on the beach on the island’s south coast, Samahita offers a range of services, from all-inclusive group stays to wellness, weight loss and detox programs, and in-depth training with teachers. In short, you will be able to tailor your experience to your needs. Breathe in the fresh air, breathe, and enjoy quiet contemplation in the meditation garden while you practice in the open-air shala (yoga studio), then crown it all with a refreshing swim in the saltwater pool. The eco-friendly room will have a private balcony and solar hot water; Meals are also prepared according to Ayurveda principles so that you will be happy and healthy. And all this is within a short one-hour flight from bustling Bangkok.
Aruba – Dutch Caribbean
Miles of white sandy beaches, clear blue waters and year-round sunshine await you on the Caribbean island of Aruba. One of the constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this tropical gem provides almost perfect conditions for windsurfers, kitesurfers and divers, and of course, yogis in search of serenity. Test your balance with SUP Yoga (paddleboard yoga) here, explore the island’s north coast and sail into the sunset; all this included in the price with breakfast, two dinners and accommodation.
Bali Yoga Camp – Indonesia
Bali, known as the Island of the Gods, comes right after India in terms of yoga opportunities. You’ll have plenty of options to pamper you on this Indonesian island of lush mountains, rocky shores, volcanic peaks and gorgeous beaches. Located in a tropical forest just outside of Ubud, where you can see a holy river and a divine temple when you look down, Blooming Lotus Yoga invites you to a four to seven-day yoga retreat and promises to rejuvenate and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit. The daily Vinyasa Flow Yoga classes are combined with in-depth workshops on asana (postures), meditation and pranayama (breath control).Moreover, optional remedial treatments, nature excursions and cultural spending options are among the options offered to you. Retreat to your 5-star villa with spacious rooms, which even has a private plunge pool, or spend an afternoon exploring nearby bustling Ubud. Do you already know the difference between Virabhadrasana (a pose also known as a warrior) and Sirsasana (a pose that only emphasizes the head) and want some variation? Blooming Lotus Yoga also offers a Yoga Alliance-approved 200-hour teacher training course.
Aourir – Moroccan Yoga Camp
Can’t choose between finding inner peace or getting enough of adrenaline? The increasing popularity of surf and yoga centers eliminates the need to make such a choice. SurfMaroc’s is located in a serene villa overlooking the rocky Moroccan coast. Yoga classes suitable for all levels and abilities are offered in the fully equipped yoga shala with views of the Atlantic Ocean on the roof. Increase the physical and mental strength vital to any successful surfer with Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow Yoga, as well as the more calming Hatha and Healing Yoga. World-class waves and peaceful atmosphere form the background of Aourir village, also known as Banana Village due to the many banana plantations in the area. The recreation center, which is only a 40-minute drive from Agadir, can be easily reached from most of the main airports in Europe. Windblown hair, sandy feet… surfer… sorry, your warrior pose looks better than ever.
Bornholm, Denmark Yoga Camp
Known as Denmark’s sunny island, Bornholm lies east of the mainland and can be reached by a short 35-minute flight from Copenhagen. Bornholm is certainly no ordinary island. Here you’ll find steep cliffs starting right at the tip of the Baltic Sea, white beaches, large forests where the sunlight gently filters through the leaves, and picturesque towns and villages worthy of a postcard. In one of these towns you will also find the Bornholm Yoga and Retreat Centre, a large business dedicated to the body, spirit and nature. Various workshops are held at the center throughout the year. For a comprehensive experience, you can opt for the ‘Moving Into Silence Weekend Retreat’ workshop presented by the center’s yogi, Solveig Egebjerg. You will be encouraged to immerse yourself in the world of silence, leaving all communication devices behind. This journey starts and ends in nature: you will take a walk in the adjacent forest and beach, learn new breathing techniques and meditate on the beach. Your days here will end with homemade, organic, vegetarian meals served by the campfire on the beach.
Yoga Camp in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Located in the northwest of Costa Rica, Santa Teresa is a destination that attracts yoga enthusiasts and spa enthusiasts from all over the world. The environment is like a dream: rainforest starting from the end of the palm-fringed beaches, the sun reflecting off the crystal clear waters, a cloudless and deep blue sky, tropical climate… All of these come together to make the perfect retreat for meditation. The secluded Nautilus Boutique Hotel is built on a rock offering views of the majestic Pacific Ocean. 90-minute yoga sessions are held twice a day, but you can also sign up for private sessions if you wish. Features that will make your experience here unforgettable include private terraces, swimming pool, in-room massage and a restaurant serving healthy organic meals.
Big Sur, California, USA
If you love camping but can’t give up on luxury, “glamping” (a luxury camping activity derived from the words “glamorous camping”) may be the perfect experience for you. Located on the hills along the coast and offering impressive views of the Pacific Ocean, Treebones Resort offers accommodation in yurt tents surrounded by nature. Yurts are tent-like structures built by Mongolian and Turkish nomads in circular shapes, but don’t worry, these yurts await you with comfortable beds, heat sources, electric lighting and private balconies with stunning views. You can opt for the ‘Yoga in Nature’ workshop, which includes dormitory accommodation, six different yoga sessions held on a magnificent open-air platform, and food prepared with local ingredients. We recommend that you end your day spent with yoga sessions with a massage specially prepared for you or an invigorating swim in the pool.
Loviisa, Finland Yoga Camp
Want to get away from the stress of your job? With a rural feel, Villa Mandala Manor & Resort is the perfect place for business in the city of Loviisa, just an hour’s drive from Helsinki. Focusing on stress therapy, relaxation and proper nutrition, Villa Mandala organizes around five yoga retreats each year. Nature is a key element in every retreat: you will go for quiet walks through the forests, dive in the nearby lake or go on bike trips in the Finnish countryside. No trip to Finland is complete without a sauna experience, and Villa Mandala has a traditional Finnish wood-heated sauna that can serve up to 15 people at a time. You can try the herbal sauna with healing effects, or you can leave yourself in the hands of a chiropractor who specializes in restoring bone structure.
Ahetze – French Basque Country, France
The French Basque Country reminds one of beautiful old villages, emerald green hills, full-bodied red wines and proud, enthusiastic people. Between the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean, just a 30-minute drive from Biarritz, the small Basque village of Ahetze is the perfect place to practice undisturbed yoga for a week. You can visit Sweden-based Yogiakademi to book a place here. Under the late summer sun, in the middle of lush gardens, you willindulge in Osho meditation (a type of meditation aimed at achieving constant awareness) and different types of yoga, both dynamic and healing. Between sessions you can go for a walk and explore the Basque countryside, visit the nearby village or start reading a good book. End the day with a detox, vegetarian dinner and watch the sunset to your heart’s content. For those who want to end their yoga retreat with an active end: How about surfing in the cool waters of Biarritz?
Goa, India Yoga Camp
This is where it all started! There are hundreds of yoga centers in India. If you want to combine peaceful yoga sessions among palm trees with a beach vacation, head to Little Cove Yoga Retreat, located on Cola beach in Goa, a former Portuguese province. Since the concept of this place is as close to nature as possible, you will stay in eco-friendly huts nestled among the coconut trees right on the beach and eat hearty vegetarian Indian cuisine twice a day. Sessions offered by Mahendra Pardeshi, an experienced yogi, will focus on finding your inner peace and attaining physical health. You can also sign up for any number of traditional Ayurvedic massages and therapies (an alternative medicine practice born in the Indian Subcontinent). Alternatively, you can lie down in the sun or take a boat trip with the local fishermen.
Breton, France Yoga Camp
Although a somewhat overlooked destination, Breton offers a tranquil setting for yoga retreats, with stunning nature, endless beaches, charming small towns and tantalizing cuisine. The yoga center is located in the Chateau du Grand Val, which dates back to the 15th century. The chateau offers wonderful views of the French countryside, and there are ponds around the castle for boating. After an active Vinyasa session, you can relax by the giant open fireplace or swim in the heated pool. One of the sine qua non of meditations aimed at achieving inner and outer harmony is a balanced diet. If you want to enliven the dishes here, you can consider the French cuisine meeting with organic and fresh innovations. If you are interested in seclusion here, you can visit Sweden-based Yogiakadem.
