25 Best Mindfulness Retreats in the World

© Ala Kukui

When you check in to Ala Kukui in Hana, Maui, you become one of the community and share their quest for spiritual and intellectual enhancement. The center is located on a hillside, surrounded by green Kukui trees and lapped by the ocean – a place of great serenity far from the distractions of everyday life. Groups may book the four-bedroom Retreat House for a group retreat while individuals seeking an ideal spot for meditation and introspection may book one of the comfortable cabins. The center offers a large indoor/outdoor room ideal for yoga, a meeting room for lectures and get-togethers and a fully equipped commercial kitchen for larger groups.

Ala Kukui, 4224 Hana Highway, Hana, HI 96713, Phone: 808-248-7841

Vacation Idea: Rent a romantic beachfront bungalow in Tunquen, on the coast of Chile.

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Buddhapath is an India-based tour operator which organizes a regular series of mindfulness retreats and journeys which take you to some of the worlds’ most spiritual places. On your journey to enlightenment you will follow in the footsteps of Buddha, as you make a pilgrimage to various places which were important in his life. You will be joining a group of like-minded individuals who seek a deeper understanding of Buddhism and mindful meditation. You can choose a Buddapath experience for anything from one day to two weeks, depending on your budget and tours can be customized to suit your particular interests.

Buddhapath, 309-B Sector 15A, Noida 201301, Gautam Buddha Nagar, India, Phone: +91-12-04-33-42-84

© Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health

At the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health you can choose from literally dozens of training sessions and programs aimed at improving both your physical and spiritual life. If you are new to the concept of mindfulness you can sign up for one of over 80 meditation classes which could lead to life-changing habits as you learn to surrender yourself to the present and learn how to accept and rejoice in everything life throws at you. The center also offers health and fitness classes, yoga classes, spiritual practice programs and much more. A retreat at the center could include spa treatments and healing massage, delicious vegetarian food (some poultry and fish is also available), yoga, meditation and healthy outdoor activities.

Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, 57 Interlaken Rd, Stockbridge, MA 01262, Phone: 800-200-5203

Vacation Idea: Rent a beachfront getaway on the coast of Chile in Tunquen.

© Krishna Eco Farm

Krishna Eco Farm also known as Karuna Bhavan (which translates as “Sanctuary of Peace”) is a retreat run by the Hare Krishna community in Scotland. The retreat is focused on teaching how to find mindfulness and peace of mind in our day to day life through meditation and a compassionate way of life. People from all walks of life are invited to make a spiritual journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance as they visit the center for a retreat, short stay, day visit and annual festival. Accommodation varies from dormitory style shared up to luxury en-suite rooms and as part of your experience you will enjoy lectures, prayer time, yoga, meditation and three delicious vegan/vegetarian meals every day.

Karuna Bhavan, Bankhouse Road, Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0ES, Phone: +44 7951 647 438

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By organizing various retreats throughout the year, all aimed at moms with children aged under 18 months, Mamaheaven is able to provide you with the care and attention you need through yoga, meditation, massage, counselling, guidance, and support to establish a stronger bond with your baby and a much better approach to post-natal life. Mamaheaven can give you that boost you need to feel revitalized and refreshed, able to truly make the most of every single second of motherhood.

From Florence House on the Sussex coastline to the luxurious Mediterranean villa of Can Talaias in Ibiza, all of the venues feature beautiful decoration, with comfortable, cozy furnishings all designed to offer the perfect setting and ideal surroundings for everyone to feel fully relaxed and at ease. One of the great things about Mamaheaven retreats is that you get to enjoy the whole thing with your son or daughter by your side. Many post-natal retreats focus solely on mothers, often overlooking the children themselves, but these retreats really put the spotlight on your child. Babies get to spend time in the creche facilities, enjoying great food and fun games, while also taking part in yoga sessions and massages with their mothers. This is a wonderful way to help you and your baby enjoy some quality time together and strengthen your newfound bond. mamaheaven.org

© Gaia House Buddhist Meditation

Nestled in the green heart of Devon, Gaia House offers people of all ethnicities, religions and walks of life the chance to attend a mindfulness retreat in the true Buddhist tradition. Gaia House hosts both group silent retreats and personal individual retreats. Guests are charged a very nominal amount to attend a retreat at Gaia House and everyone is asked to donate as much as they can afford in order to make the retreats available to everyone, regardless of their means. All the teachers at the center offer their services free of charge and fees just cover your accommodation and meals.

Gaia House, West Ogwell, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6EW, England, Phone: +44-16-26-33-36-13

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The Hemera Foundation operates out of Boulder Colorado, where it is dedicated to offering the necessary resources required for individuals who would like to dedicate their lives to teaching the public about mindfulness and self awareness. The foundation makes it possible for teachers, medical personnel and other eligible persons to attend contemplative retreats which will enable them to pass on their knowledge to other people in need of self-healing. The foundation offers Comtemplative Fellowships which enable students to attend one meditation retreat each year at one of their partner retreat centers which are located in a variety of US states.

Hemera Foundation, 3011 Broadway St, Boulder, CO 80304, Phone: 303-951-4726

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iBme offers a range of mindfulness services for people of all ages. A key part of the offerings of the IBME is its teen retreats. Now, more than ever before, teens are having to deal with high levels of pressure and stress. The Teen Retreats run for several days and focus on teaching teenagers about awareness and concentration through guided mindfulness meditation sessions, small group discussions, and other activities. The retreats will also allow participants to have free time, interact with each other, and express themselves through various creative mediums like art, dance, writing, and sport.

Designed specifically for those aged between 18 and 32, the Young Adult Retreats are aimed at boosting mindfulness and feelings of compassion in young people. The retreats involve meditation, discussions, relaxation sessions, and other activities designed to help young adults change their mindset, become more aware and focused, avoid distractions around them, and build better relationships with themselves and with others. Individuals of all ages can benefit from a bigger focus on mindfulness, and that's why iBme runs Adult Retreats as well. Phone: 508-250-0628

© Buddhist Retreat Center

The Buddhist Retreat Center in Ixopo overlooks a serene vista of rolling hills, valleys and forests – the perfect setting for a mindfulness retreat. The center is surrounded by 300 acres of quiet trails where you can practice mindful hiking and walking as you admire several species of wildlife in their natural surroundings. Buddhism (also known as the Middle Way) welcomes people from all religions and all walks of life who would like to learn how to live a more fulfilling life, and the retreat offers both structured (conducted) group retreats and un-structured self-retreats for individuals. The center is famous for its delicious vegetarian food, prepared on-site from home-grown organic fruit and vegetables and farm-baked break – day visitors are welcome to come for lunch.

Buddhist Retreat Center, Ixopo, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa, Phone: +27-8-78-09-16-87

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Run by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, the Center for Mindfulness offers people from all walks of life the chance to improve their lives by learning about mindfulness meditation. The center offers regular five-day live-in courses where you will be taught how to put mindfulness meditation practices into place in your life. You will enjoy yoga and stretching classes, group discussions about improving awareness in your day to day life and formal instruction on meditation practices. If you are unable to attend one of the residential courses you can sign up for an on-line eight-week intensive course to set you on the path to personal fulfillment.

The Center for Mindfulness, Hoagland Pincus Bld, 222 Maple Ave, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, Phone: 508-856-2656

© Vilalara Longevity Thalassa and Medical Spa

You would be hard-pressed to find a more idyllic setting for a retreat than the beautiful coastal location of the Vilalara Longevity Thalassa and Medical Spa near Faro in Portugal. Here you can shrug off the stresses of everyday life and start a journey of introspection and self healing as you learn how to embrace mindfulness and meditation. During your retreat you will have private lessons from the center’s mindfulness expert, who will teach you how to change your life through mindful movement, meditation and mindful eating. You can join a three-day mindfulness program which includes four hours per day of private mindfulness sessions, use of the spa facilities, access to yoga and Pilates and three wholesome meals per day.

Vilalara Longevity Thalassa and Medical Spa, 8365-118 Armacao de Pera, Portugal, Phone: +351-2-82-32-00-00

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Headquartered in Birmingham, Mindspace offers a variety of mindfulness workshops and retreats at carefully selected venues across the UK and in Tuscany. At Mindspace you can attend a series of one-day retreats and workshops which will unlock the secrets of mindful meditation as it has been practiced by Buddhists for over 2,500 years. You will learn how to train your mind to focus on the present and become peaceful and self-aware. Mindspace also conducts half-day workshops (for the ultra-busy) and if you live too far from one of the Mindspace venues you can buy their new book “Guide to a Mindful way of Life” or sign up for an eight week online course.

Mindspace, The Moseley Exchange, 149 Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham, B12 8JP, Phone: +44-12-12-85-08-44

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Run Wild Retreats + Wellness offers small-group exercise, mindfulness, and wilderness excursions for women at top locations throughout North America and Europe, focusing on stress management through instruction of healthy running techniques. The company offers four- to seven-day trail running adventures in beautiful American locations such as Moab and Telluride, along with gorgeous European destinations such as Ireland's Wicklow and Wild Atlantic Ways, Italy's Dolomites mountain range, and Spain's Mediterranean coastline. Retreat specialists are on hand to help plan all retreat activities and travel arrangements, with all retreats led by experienced tour guides and leaders who supervise every day's activities. Runs make frequent photo opportunity stops and rest breaks, with running times interspersed with hiking and other exploration. Groups typically stay between 10 and 16 participants in size to ensure individual attention to all participants. After experiences, runners can join the company's Healthy Runners' Community to keep their exercise and mindfulness goals going. Phone: 970-315-2114

© Plum Village

Established by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Plum Village is a small monastic community where visitors can learn how to live in harmony with people and the Earth. What began as a small farm in 1982 has grown into a large monastery with over 200 nuns and monks in residence. Here, far from the intrusions of daily life, visitors can immerse themselves in a variety of daily activities designed to enhance your mindfulness as you go about daily tasks. You will learn about the benefits of silent meditation, mindful work (all guests contribute to daily tasks) and how to bring joy to everything you do. The village hosts several retreats each year including mindfulness retreats for young people and one-day retreats.

Plum Village, Meyrac, 47120 Loubes-Bernac, France, Phone: +33-5-53-94-75-40

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Sally Stubbs is a prominent Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist who has put together a number of programs designed to help people achieve a better life. Sally’s programs are based on the principles of Rapha Hypnosis, (Rapha is Hebrew for “healing”) which is a curative therapy which can empower people to learn self-healing. Both spiritual and physical self-healing is addressed in Sally’s various treatment programs and you can learn how to go about improving everything from relationships to loss of hair. All the courses are offered online so that everyone can benefit from her many years of experience. No experience is necessary – simply log in and start learning how to use mindfulness in your everyday life.

Sally Stubbs, Bridge House, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4NX, Phone: +44-17-68-77-13-77

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Gampo Abbey is a Buddhist monastery in the Shambhala tradition, located in Nova Scotia, Canada. Mindful meditation lies at the core of the teachings of Shambhala and Gampo Abbey caters purely to residents who wish to become nuns and monks. The resort also hosts a very limited number of solitary retreats for referred guests who wish to deepen their studies without joining the monastic residents. Visitors who would like to learn about the teachings of Shambhala can join various retreats and programs at the Shambhala Mountain Center in Colorado, where a safe and supportive environment welcomes visitors who wish to develop compassion and focus their minds.

Gampo Abbey, 1533 Pleasant Bay Rd, Nova Scotia, BoE2Po, Canada

Shambhala Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, Phone: 888-788-7221

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When the stresses and strains of modern-day life are leaving you fatigued and anxious, a revitalizing silent retreat at Shreyas Yoga Retreat could be just what the doctor ordered. The resort is one of India’s best luxury yoga retreats and is located near Bangalore where it offers visitors a serene location where you can enjoy a variety of rejuvenating activities. Yoga, chanting, mindful meditation, relaxing massages and other spa services will form part of your silent retreat which starts with a private wellness consultation. The retreat also offers a Culinary Experience which includes visits to local markets and learning how to cook authentic Indian vegetarian food.

Shreyas Yoga Retreat and Ashram, Santoshima Farm, Gollahalli Gate, Nelamangela, Bangalore, India, Phone: +91-99-16-11-04-34

© Simple Peace Retreats

Offering one of the most beautiful and serene locations in Europe, the Silent Stay Retreat Center in the hilltop village of Assisi is the ideal place to go to fine inner peace and healing. In this beautiful and very spiritual place you will be able to go on silent reflective walks in the footsteps of the saints, participate in two or three guided meditations every day and enjoy yoga as often as you like. There is regular personal time when you can relax with a book and you will also go on guided pilgrimage walks to several sacred sites around the town. Each visitor has a private room and bathroom and three delicious meals are served every day.

Simple Peace Retreats, Via San Paolo 11, 06081 Assisi, Italy, Phone: +39-33-81-97-08-67

© Spirit Rock Insight Meditation Center

When you feel ready to embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery and healing, the Spirit Rock Insight Meditation Center in California is waiting to set you on the right path. The center offers various residential retreats as well as several non-residential drop-in programs and multi-day non-residential retreats for those lucky enough to live close by. For those wishing to further their studies as mindfulness practitioners and yoga instructors the center offers an immersive five-month program. When you attend a residential retreat at Spirit Rock you will experience all the benefits of a silent retreat – time for introspection, for applying mindfulness to everyday activities, guided meditations and lectures.

Spirit Rock, 5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Woodacre, CA 94973, Phone: 415-488-0164

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The Wat Suan Mokkh International Dharma Heritage offers ten-day silent retreats for anyone wishing to experience a true Buddhist retreat in a serene and calming environment. The motto of the retreat center is “Live plainly, aim high” and to this end participants need to understand that they will not be living in a luxury spa resort and that a retreat at Wat Suan Mokkh is not for the faint-hearted. Guests sleep on hard beds with just a blanket and Thai wooden pillow and use shared bathroom facilities; in addition everyone shares chores like sweeping and cooking and enjoys just two vegetarian meals each day. However, the center attracts over 1,000 devotees each year who agree that the spiritual rewards outweigh the minor hardships.

Wat Suan Mokkh, 68/1 Asia Lamet Tambon Lamet, Amphoe Chaiya, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84150, Thailand, Phone: +66-77-43-16-61

© Una

The Una resort is located in an idyllic little corner of Cornwall, where it offers jaded city dwellers the chance to relax, unwind and restore body and mind against the beautiful backdrop of St. Ives Bay. You can sign up for a Life Fitness Program at the Una Spa and Leisure center, soak all your cares away in the whirlpool and even practice some mindful meditation in the Steam Room. You can join a yoga class, take a long mindful walk along beautiful Carbis Bay or simply relax in the resort’s large indoor pool. Accommodation at the resort is in two or three-bedroom eco-chalets, some of which have a private hot tub.

Una St. Ives, Carbis Bay, Cornwall, TR26 3HW, Phone: +44-17-36-25-70-00

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Vipassana Meditation is one of India’s most ancient meditation techniques. Vipassana means to see things as they really are and through Vipassana Meditation you can learn how to re-connect body and spirit in order to improve your life. The doctrine is widely practiced throughout the world and there are Vipassana Meditation centers just about everywhere. You can learn the technique of Vipassana Meditation by joining a ten-day live-in retreat where you will be expected to observe a particular code of conduct which will enable you to fully benefit from your retreat. Special Vipassana courses are offered to teenagers, executives (and to prisoners) to help them learn how to cope with stress and adverse conditions. You can find your closest center on their website.

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Picturesquely located on the shores of Lake Worth in the beautiful Austrian Alps, Vivamayr is an award-winning luxury medical spa resort in Austria. Here, surrounded by superb natural beauty, you can settle into your five-star accommodation and bid farewell to your everyday stresses. The spa offers a range of tailor-made detox programs which include consultations with the doctor, a personal eating plan, lots of massage, sauna and steam baths and a choice of outdoor activities. While this spa does not offer guided mindful meditation the serene setting is the perfect place for you to conduct your own personal mindfulness retreat to compliment your physical program.

Vivamayr, Fischerndorf 222, 8992 Altaussee, Austria, Phone: +43-3-62-27-14-50

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Souljourn Yoga is a non-profit association inspired by 'seva', which is the Sanskrit word for the notion of selfless service, i.e. giving back to the world and others without expecting anything in return. With that concept in mind, this organization was founded to offer life-changing yoga retreats in beautiful places all over the globe, not just for the participants to enjoy, but also to make a real difference for people who need it most.

Souljourn Yoga organizes yoga retreats to places all around the world like Peru, China, Cambodia, and Rwanda, but it does much more than simply arrange for groups of people to enjoy yoga sessions in exotic surroundings. This non-profit actually engages with other non-profits in each destination, mainly dedicated to young women in need of education and better lives, and works with those non-profits and women to create unique experiences for all concerned. souljournyoga.com

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Coin Up lets you search from a huge range of different causes to find the right one. Animal lovers, for example, might want to choose charities like The Bonobo Project or Animal Avengers to help furry friends in need. Those who want to make a difference to the poverty all around the world can choose charities like the Unstoppable Foundation and Heifer International. Those who want to honor veterans and members of the military can choose charities like Hire Heroes USA, while those interested in aiding impoverished children get an education can choose the Scholar's Hope Foundation. There’s a long list of charities and causes, so that you can find one to suit you. coinupapp.com