Ready to reset and reconnect with yourself? These mindfulness retreats offer serene landscapes, expert guidance, and soul-soothing practices to help you slow down and breathe deeply.
Highlights:
Unique Mindfulness Retreats:
1. Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Massachusetts
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
2. Krishna Eco Farm, Scotland
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
3. Mamaheaven - Relaxing Retreats for New Mothers
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.
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.
4. Gaia House Buddhist Meditation
Nestled in the green heart of Devon, Gaia House Buddhist Meditation 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
Romantic Mindfulness Retreats:
5. Hemera Foundation, Colorado
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
6. Buddhist Retreat Center, Ixopo, South Africa
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
7. The Center for Mindfulness, Massachusetts
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
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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Who can benefit from Mindful Meditation?
- Anyone who is constantly exposed to the stresses and strains of a hectic lifestyle can benefit from the practice of Mindful Meditation.
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Why should someone consider a mindfulness retreat?
- If you feel the need for something that will change your life for the better, a mindfulness retreat could be just what you need.
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What types of mindfulness retreats are available?
- Mindfulness retreats come in many shapes and sizes, with or without luxuries like spa treatments and personalized diets. The perfect retreat to suit you is out there waiting to be discovered.
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Are there shorter mindfulness retreat options?
- If you feel you are not yet ready for a lengthy retreat, you will find that several meditation centers and retreats offer one-day programs or even an online course that could set you on the path to self-discovery and self-healing.
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