Whether you’ve recently started regular yoga classes and want to take your newfound knowledge to the next level or are a complete novice still figuring out the difference between a warrior and tree pose, a yoga retreat can be a great way to deep-dive into this multidisciplinary practice with roots in ancient India
As spiritual as it is physical, yoga styles range from slow and meditative to more dynamic, but always focus on connecting to one's breath and body. The benefits are immense: improving core strength, managing stress, greater flexibility, and an increased sense of balance. From overnight bite-size tasters to bespoke one-on-one programs and relaxed itineraries that include other nature-based activities, here’s our pick of the best yoga retreats around the world for beginners.
A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.
For those tempted to try a yoga retreat but wary of committing to a full-on weekend, bite-sized one-night retreats could be the answer. The setting is the recently repurposed Billnäs Gård, a six-room hotel and wellness space an hour’s train ride from Helsinki. Set on the Svarta River, it has a heated saltwater pool in the garden and a subterranean spa-slash-candlelit meditation space with a sauna and herbal bathtub. The concise stay—part of The Life Academy program—is led by local yoga instructor Julia Hackzell, whose classes are designed to develop mindfulness through gentle postures, breathwork and meditation. Before arrival, you’ll receive three introspective open-ended questions aimed at sparking reflection and assisting in setting personal goals, and you'll be invited to join the group Whatsapp—a useful support network, especially for sharing post-retreat experiences and continued progress in your practice.
When: Dates from January to October 2024 Price: From around $427 per person, based on two sharing Website: billnasgard.fi
Resident yoga teacher at Ockenden Manor, Meg Thompson, integrates nidra yoga classes with a guided Nordic walk through the Sussex countryside and an isopod floatation session (as in the Dead Sea, you float effortlessly so every muscle relaxes and the body’s metabolic balance is restored) at this twice-yearly retreat. No yoga background is necessary. Meg creates a spiritual experience through strength-building and restorative bodywork and encourages individuals to listen to their bodies in order to gain confidence in their practice. During downtime, you can take a dip in the spectacular indoor-outdoor pool and, in the evening, feast on dinners made using locally sourced produce before sinking into a four-poster bed.
When: April 21-23 and September 22-24 Price: From around $795 per person, based on two sharing Website:
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