Yoga & Wellness Retreats Around the World

1. Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, Bahamas

Located across the bay from Nassau, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, Bahamas is a tranquil and luxurious sanctuary of peace and serenity. Resting on a beautiful beach surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, the retreat offers an idyllic oasis in which to practice, expand and deepen your knowledge of yoga. If you are looking for spiritual retreats in a tropical setting, this is a beautiful place to visit.

Established in 1967 by Swami Vishnudevananda, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat is both a traditional ashram and modern yoga retreat, where guests can immerse themselves in the philosophy and practice of yoga and yogic lifestyle. The ashram offers a daily schedule of the yoga tradition, including asana (yoga postures), pranayama (yogic breathing practices), and meditation, as well as courses, performances, workshops and special events. Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas

2. Eat. Pray. Move

Born from the love of yoga and travel, Eat. Pray. Move is a travel company that provides unforgettable yoga tours and wellness retreats to various idyllic locations around the world. Combining luxurious accommodation, world-class cuisine, exotic excursions, and daily yoga practice, the company promises a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, no matter where you are in the world.

One of the popular tours is the New Year’s Eve Experience in Southwest Island in Iceland. This one-of-a-kind tour combines art and yoga to provide an unforgettable Icelandic break beneath the magnificent Northern Lights. The tour features a unique collaboration between Julian Hyzler from EASEL&LENS, who offers a variety of art projects such as "ifonography" (smartphone photography) throughout the week, and a varied and creative yoga schedule that focuses on body and mind. Luxurious accommodation and healthy cuisine are provided, as well as an array of activities and excursions in the surrounding landscape.

3. Yasodhara Ashram

Nestled in the spectacular mountains of British Columbia, Canada, the Yasodhara Ashram is a wellness retreat and study center committed to providing spiritual and intellectual experiences for all yogis. The Yasodhara Ashram offers an exciting variety of courses and retreats with classes, yoga sessions, and meditation offered throughout the day. All activities are designed to build a foundation of knowledge allowing you to experience further growth in your path to attain a lifestyle of yoga.

Surrounded by lakes, mountains, and forests, the Yasodhara Ashram offers several types of shared accommodations including the The Barn and Saraswati guest lodges. Both options will provide you with a comfortable, peaceful stay. Depending on the length of your visit, there are short and long term residences available. During your stay three nourishing meals are provided daily, including vegetarian, vegan and wheat free options, all of which can be enjoyed in tranquil silence. Meals are made using fresh fruit and vegetables grown on the property. You will leave this retreat feeling energized by your deepened yoga practice and knowledge. 527 Walker's Landing Road, Box 9 Kootenay Bay, B.C., V0B 1X0 Canada

4. Crystal Hermitage

Crystal Hermitage is a New Age-style meditation center and tranquility garden, based on the Ananda meditation movement following the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. More than 36,000 visitors have explored the facility's beautiful landscaped gardens, which are set against the backdrop of the exquisite Tahoe National Forest and Yuba River Canyon and showcase spectacular plantings of spring bulbs and wildflowers throughout April. The facility's chapel is designed after the Porziuncola of Saint Francis, while its Shrine of the Masters houses artifacts related to significant gurus and saints of self-realization. Visitors can also stay overnight at the facility's guest house, which offers private living space and houses up to four guests.

14618 Tyler Foote Rd, Nevada City, CA 95959, Phone: 530-78-7587

5. Anamaya Resort, Costa Rica

Resting on a cliff top high above the lush rainforests of Montezuma in Costa Rica, Anamaya Resort is an exclusive and exotic resort with tranquil surroundings and breathtaking views. Located in one of the world’s most beautiful tropical beach towns on the southern Nicoya Peninsula, “Anamaya” (meaning “good health” in Sanskrit) features elegant accommodations, gourmet, organic cuisine, a variety of indulgent spa services, and a variety of yoga classes, workshops and wellness retreats aimed at the body, mind and soul.

Private, sustainably-built cabins with comfortable décor and modern amenities offer havens of serenity in which to stay while the Anamaya Restaurant serves a delicious menu of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and organic cuisine. In addition to excellent yoga packages, the resort also offers an array of other activities such as fire dancing, ‘Cirque de Soleil-style’ entertainment and guided excursions into the surrounding rainforests. Anamaya Rd, Costa Rica

6. Silver Island Yoga, Greece

While staying at Silver Island Yoga located 50 miles from the mainland of Greece, you can realign your chakras by participating in a mindful yoga retreat. With the proximity of the Aegean Sea, you will feel the embrace of fascinating Greek history. Take time to explore the island, and be sure to include a visit to the island’s historical church. This Sunday - Saturday retreat allows you to experience complete tranquility in a distraction-free environment, as the island does not have Internet access.

When making a reservation, you have the option of staying in the Main house or the Villa, choosing from one of 5 rooms, each of which features unique and traditional arrangements and contemporary amenities. Each retreat is limited to no more than 10 guests, allowing you to roam the 60-acre island in serenity. The all-inclusive experience provides twice daily yoga classes with mats and equipment included, homemade vegetarian meals, access to hiking trails, water activities, and craft supplies to express your creativity.

7. Rancho la Puerta

Rancho la Puerta is a rejuvenating wellness retreat located conveniently near San Diego, originally opened in 1940 by Edmond and Deborah Szekely. The retreat, which is created with sparking the modern fitness retreat revolution during the 20th century, is still operated by Deborah today and strives to promote healthier lifestyles among Americans, including better fitness and mindfulness practices. Guests of all ages and ability levels are encouraged to renew their minds and bodies as part of retreat activities, including spa treatments offered at the retreat's full-service spa and holistic healing practices such as acupuncture and craniosacral therapy. Nutritious meals and culinary experiences are offered at the retreat's organic farm and La Cocina Que Canta culinary center.

P.O. Box 69, Tecate, CA 91980, Phone: 858-925-1214

8. Assisi Retreats, Italy

Assisi Retreats offers a range of meditation retreats in the appealing town of Assisi, Italy. Wellness retreats are based at a magnificent hilltop abode surrounded by hundreds of acres of rolling farmlands just a few kilometers from the center of Assisi, and are exclusive and intimate.

Guests are accommodated in beautifully appointed country-style suites with private en-suite bathrooms, kitchens, living areas with cozy fireplaces, and expansive terraces boasting breathtaking views. Days begin with morning meditation, followed by meditation movement and yoga practices. Afternoons are free, inviting guests to relax in the stunning gardens or explore the sacred town of Assisi, followed by an evening meditation to close the day. assisiretreats.org

9. Nayara Springs, Costa Rica

Located in the Arenal Volcano National Park, Nayara Springs, Costa Rica is a place of great serenity and beauty. This is a truly special place which has been nominated as the Best Spa Hotel in the World (Conde Nast Traveler) and as the No. 1 Luxury Hotel in the World (Tripadvisor). The hotel is tucked into the verdant Costa Rican Rain Forest, where it promises guests an unforgettable sojourn. The villas are the last word in luxury, boasting private hot-spring pools and King four-poster beds. You can start your days with guided yoga sessions, take a nature walk with a naturalist, feast on the finest fresh produce and take pampering to the max at the open-air spa.

Alajuela Province, San Carlos, Costa Rica, 888 332 2961

10. Inns of Aurora Resort and Spa, NY

Located in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes Region, the Inns of Aurora Resort and Spa is a coveted destination for a wellness retreat. The historic Village of Aurora is designated a National Historic District and features 5 very special inns, a farm-to-fork restaurant, village market and The Spa.

Each of the 5 historic inns offer beautifully appointed guestrooms, many of which feature period antiques and fine linens to make you feel right at home. The Spa offers guests a blissful space to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy tailored treatments to suit your individual needs. There are 2 hydrotherapy circuits as well as a long menu of therapeutic treatments. <

700 Sherwood Rd, Aurora, NY 13026, 315 364 8888