Mountaintop Meditation, Photo Credit: Seth Beckton
Though one of the ideas behind yoga is to meditate in the now, wouldn’t that “now” be a little better if it was in some place beautiful? The next time you really want to find your om, book a glamorous yoga retreat and get into downward-facing dog with other dedicated yogis with divine taste.
Between mountaintop meditation workshops, a bevy of beach asanas and live-action sunrise salutations, now is the time to seek inner peace with a yoga-themed vacation.
Salutations in Snowmass
Get high on the mountain with this three-day event by Power Yoga Retreats. From August 11 to 13, participate in a yoga-filled festival that features more than 60 classes interwoven with hikes, parties, live music and meditation. Since the retreat takes place on and around Snowmass Mountain in Colorado, expect stunning views, gorgeous scenery and fresh air to accompany each pose.
Snowmass sits just 20 minutes from Aspen, meaning you can make your way over to Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The St. Regis Aspen for even more relaxation once the retreat ends. The Four-Star Remède Spa Aspen promises 12,000 square feet of hot tubs, oxygen lounges and custom massages to hit any spots you may have tweaked during a yoga session.
Lumeria’s Yoga Class, Photo Credit: Lumeria Maui
Island inspirations
One of the nice things about booking a stay at Maui’s Lumeria is experiencing the yoga retreat structure and vibe with the flexibility (and comfort) of a resort. Of course, the overall focus is on wellness here, and the skilled teachers at this Hawaiian property brim with inspiration.
Start your beauteous day with some sunrise salutations before practicing the art of stillness with a yin yoga class. Choose from hula classes, gardening, tantric yoga and more to help round out your days.
Another option is to take drop-in classes as Lumeria and stay 25 miles south at Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. Don’t miss Grand Wailea’s daily 7 a.m. beach yoga class, where you can spy humpback whales while hitting your tree pose.
If you don’t jump in the ocean afterward, relax your muscles in one of the island’s most extensive pools or Four-Star Spa Grande’s wonderful water facilities, including fragrant baths with essential oils and massaging 10-foot-waterfall features.
Visiting yoga’s birthplace
Of all the places to seek out when practicing yoga, India should be at the top of your list; after all, this is where the discipline was born. Intrepid Travel hosts a 12-day jaunt, Golden Triangle: Yoga & Bollywood Edition, where you can explore India’s history and culture as you follow the Golden Triangle tourist route all the way to Rishikesh, a place nicknamed the “Yoga capital of the world.”
The majority of the voyage involves visiting some of India’s most famous cities, such as Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, and stopping at ancient sites along the way. Once you reach Rishikesh, the objective changes to studying poses along the banks of the Ganges.
There are no set dates for this itinerary, so it’s perfect for those looking for a bit of flexibility to their yoga voyage.
Remote reflections
While most tourists come to Turks and Caicos to laze on the beach, COMO Parrot Cay caters to yoga devotees. A 35-minute ferry ride from Providenciales, the hotel resides on its own private island, which means that you can focus on your positions in a tranquil, stunning setting.
COMO Shambhala Retreat at COMO Parrot Cay goes beyond a spa — it’s a full-fledged wellness center complete with Balinese-inspired yoga pavilions offering views of the lush surroundings. Complimentary classes are on offer six days a week, and a full-time instructor is on hand for private sessions.
The center also plans regular multi-day yoga retreats with prominent guest instructors. The Curry Sisters will lead the next one from April 30 to May 6. It’s short notice, but keep an eye out for the future retreats, which usually include all meals, a massage, almost five hours of yoga per day and accommodations.
Wanderlust, Photo Credit: Wanderlust
Music and meditation
One of the most far-reaching wellness extravaganzas is Wanderlust, a series of yoga parties and meditative gatherings that happens all year long across the world. The main events feature a weekend-long schedule of yoga sessions, spirited speakers, live music, artists and chefs, all there to help you get more in touch with your body and mind.
As a bonus, many of these festivals take place in natural settings — stand-up paddle boarding in a quaint New England lake? Yes, please — that aren’t far from spectacular hotels. The Stratton, Vermont experience (June 22 to 25) is just 26 miles from Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Equinox, A Luxury Collection Golf Resort & Spa, while some of Whistler’s fun (August 3 to 6) will occur a mere four-minute drive from Five-Star Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler.
A Morocco yoga retreat
There’s something magical about Morocco, and when you add a week of physical, mental and cultural exploration, it borders on the mystical. The plan is to start your days during Exotic Yoga Retreats’ seven-night getaway (May 27 to June 3) with traditional mint tea and yoga on the terrace of the Berber-style riad (a traditional Moroccan house) you’ll be staying in during the sojourn.
During the late mornings and into the afternoons, your time will be filled with classes, meditation and meals. Between that excitement, take advantage of the property’s salt water pools, lush gardens and proximity to Marrakech. The schedule can also include a visit to the full-service onsite spa with a classic hammam, hiking excursions to the Atlas Mountains, trips to a Berber village and camel and horseback rides.
