Over the years, the entire world has started embracing yoga and the uplifting changes it brings. Yoga retreats now have immense popularity worldwide. Maybe even a fandom of sorts. Yet, travelers love to choose India for this experience. Simply because yoga has a home country, and that is India. Spending time at a yoga retreat is not exactly your regular vacation. The experience goes beyond this and requires good amounts of discipline.
While staying at a retreat, there’s a participation of your mind and body towards the overall well-being of the soul. It involves complete immersion of yourself into practices and yoga schedules provided by the retreat. All retreats organize your meals, and you’ll even have guided sessions throughout your day.
Count on these 5 best Yoga Retreats in India to revitalize your mind, body and soul.
Veda5 Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat Rishikesh
Of course, mountains just have that inbuilt feature of being relaxing. Hence, a retreat located amongst the beautiful mountain ranges of Rishikesh tops our list! To add to this, Rishikesh also happens to be the yoga capital of the world. So this inclusion makes all the sense in the world.
Veda5 Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat is at a distance of 10 km from Rishikesh. It is nestled away in a quiet area that has national parks around. Here, you’d have unobstructed views of the Himalayan ranges from your room window. The Retreat has 2 yoga shalas (open spaces to meditate outside). An incredible feature is the one particular Shala which looks over the scenic mountains and is extremely peaceful.
Every day, there are 3-4 yoga classes happening, which vary in level. The classes involve mantra chanting, light yoga and pranayama, which is the practice of breath control in yoga. Benefits and knowledge of each of the yoga techniques practiced are shared during the class. There are a variety of classes happening every day, so you would surely have lots of options. More importantly, you will never run out of things to fill your day at the retreat.
You can also consult professional doctors or a yoga master on site, before you decide which class will work best for you. Other than this, you can simply enjoy your evening painting, cooking or playing games. The meals here are vegetarian, delicious and healthy, with really fresh produce sourced all the time.
Veda5 Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh is a luxurious yoga retreat, thanks to its state-of-the-art modern amenities. The minimum stay here is for 7 nights. A double occupancy room at Veda5 would cost approximately ₹7,500 per night.
This cost includes three Wellness Vegetarian Cuisine Meals, any consultation or treatment, lectures, half-day excursions, wellness yoga activities and your transfers. You could easily customize the inclusions depending on the itinerary you choose.
The other alternatives in Rishikesh that we recommend are – Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikul Yogshala and Yoga Vidya Mandiram.
There are a bunch of reasons why Goa is the best place for a yoga holiday. Firstly, it’s extremely easy to make your way to Goa. Simply because of how easily accessible by flight, road and train it is. Practicing yoga on a beautiful beach, with the soothing sound of the waves, can help you find harmony within like never before.
Most of the yoga retreats in Goa are not too far away from the beach. So, if you’re not too fond of mountains and you prefer serene coastal landscapes close to the beach, we’d say Goa is a great choice for a retreat. Moreover, experiencing yoga in such a setup also helps you feel one with nature, perhaps appreciating it a bit more, too.
Purple Valley Yoga Retreat is one of the best yoga retreats in Goa. It’s located in the valley near Assagao, which is in North Goa. The first striking thing about this retreat is the location; it’s just the right combination of everything needed for yoga and meditation. They offer private spaces to meditate and practice yoga. A yoga course here is a minimum of two weeks, and the retreat is famous for learning Ashtanga Yoga.
For accommodation, yoga classes and three vegetarian meals, it would cost you approx ₹80,000 for 2 weeks. Try arriving at this retreat on a Saturday, as the first class begins on a Sunday and the last class is on a Friday morning. The entire schedule can be taken by contacting them directly. This retreat also has a pool and spa facility, so once again, it’s a modern style yoga retreat. Purple Valley has experienced yoga instructors from all over the world.
Other alternative options in Goa that we recommend are Ashiyana in Mandrem and Little Cove Yoga Holiday Retreat.
The Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore
This retreat is known to be the most powerful place to rediscover yourself. The yoga center is located in the scenic mountains of Velliangiri near Coimbatore, in the state of Tamil Nadu. This center is a spiritual non-profit organization founded in 1992 by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. The retreat offers a yoga program under the name ‘Isha Yoga’. There are interactive and guided meditation sessions conducted daily. So, you could also visit the Isha Yoga Center on any particular day.
The accommodation here is simple and elegant. Isha cottages create a relaxing space for their guests. When you enter the center, you will find friendly volunteers of the ashram who will introduce you to the place and help you get settled. Once you’re given a cottage, you will find an instruction leaflet in your room with a detailed explanation and map of the activities that happen at the center. The entire campus is huge, and the place has visitors who wish to understand the teachings of Sadhguru and even meet him.
The beauty of this place is the indoor and outdoor architecture. There’s also the Adiyogi statue here, which is in the Guinness World Records as the ‘Largest Bust Sculpture’ in the world. The Spanda Hall, which is a 64,000 sq ft meditation hall, is where all the residential programs happen.
Compared to other retreats, this is a very active one with programs and events happening throughout the day. This retreat would keep you occupied and inspire you in many ways. A room here could cost anywhere between ₹1,500 and ₹ 5,000. Even just exploring this place for a day is a mesmerizing experience, as there’s so much happening here daily.
Hinterland Village Eco Resort In Cochin
This is the place to be if you’re looking to be one with nature. This retreat is located in Kochi and is just a 45-minute drive from the city center. The place aims to allow its guests to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect with themselves. A space here called BODHI serves as their center for Ayurveda and yoga practices. The different programs here are:
- Becoming One (3 days) – ₹10,000 per person
- One Reality Ayurveda And Yoga Retreat (6 Days) – ₹22,800 per person
- One Light Meditation And Yoga Retreat (10 days) – ₹39,500 per person
- Natural Detox and Blissful Stress Relief Treatment (14 Days) – ₹63,500 per person
You can already see the number of options available to club this with your holiday to Kerala. They also readily personalize your class for you. Staying here is an unforgettable experience and a slice of paradise. The retreat is designed and flexible for all levels of yoga practitioners. On your last day, you get memories and a certificate on completion of a yoga program here. That could be a souvenir to take back home! Biking, cycling, hiking and Ayurveda massages are additional facilities available here.
SwaSwara Retreat In Gokarna
This is an eco-friendly resort located on Om Beach in Gokarna, in the state of Karnataka. ‘Swara’ translates to inner voice; the place encourages you to listen to the calling of your inner voice. SwaSwara Retreat Gokarna’s experienced doctors and yoga instructors shape and guide your classes in a personalized manner. If only for you to have a healthy lifestyle.
There are huge courtyard spaces to meditate with herbal plants and shrubs. Bird watching, nature walks, and interactive cooking classes are other activities offered on the property. The per-night cost here is about ₹20,000, and you can stay for a minimum of three nights to a maximum of 21 nights.
SwaSwara is known to be a healing retreat, so staying here will surely help you in ways you wouldn’t have imagined. The place even has a meditation deck on a cliff! It’s a wide deck where all participants sit for guided sunrise meditation. You can capture the entire view of Om Beach from here. Breathtaking (Yoga pun!).
Summing Up
Before setting out on a yoga retreat, it’s important to realize that it’s not a one-day affair. The minimum stay at any yoga retreat is three nights, while the maximum can be months! Although we’d love to feel rejuvenated overnight, it simply doesn’t work that way. So it’s necessary to ensure you’re saving enough travel days to stay at a yoga retreat.
All in all, the word retreat has the word treat in it. Naturally, that’s exactly what it would be for you! Yoga retreats are the best way to slow down, catch a breath and spend some time with yourself in peace. After all, our mind also needs a break every once in a while.
FAQs
Which Is The Best Place To Learn Yoga In India?
Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Tamil Nadu- A prominent yoga center in Chennai and popular worldwide, the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram aims at healing people through yoga. What sets this yoga school apart is its philosophy to not rigidly follow the yoga principles. They do not offer accommodation, however.
Ashtanga Yoga, Karnataka – This institute in Mysore believes in an all-around development of the human body and soul. You’ll be going through intensive sessions for 14 days, and it can be extended too. Ashtanga Yoga also offers a Teacher’s Training Course. You can choose between different yoga styles and are expected to complete 200 hours of class.
Bihar School of Yoga, Bihar – Located in Munger, this yoga institute combines both the age-old traditions with modern technology. You can learn what the institute calls Satyananda Yoga, named after the founder Swami Satyananda Saraswati, who aimed to incorporate yoga with a holistic lifestyle.
Are Yoga Retreats Worth It?
Going on a yoga retreat means you’re getting out of the four walls of your house, and is a time to relax and unwind. A carefully curated yoga retreat will help you restore the balance between the body and the mind, and you’ll be all the more rejuvenated!
Which Country Is Yoga Most Popular In?
India tops the list whose yoga is most popular, as it is an Indian practice. Rishikesh and Goa are the more popular destinations in India for yoga, and internationally, Thailand and Indonesia are well-known too.
How Much Does A Wellness Retreat Cost?
Depending on where you go and the packages you choose, staying one night at a wellness retreat may cost you from ₹2,500 to as high as ₹25,000.
Which City Is Known As Yoga City?
With its many ashrams, temples and numerous yoga centers, Rishikesh in Uttarakhand is known as Yoga City. You can feel the aura of spirituality in the air when you’re here!
How Do I Choose A Yoga Retreat?
Choose your destination – Where would you like to have a yoga retreat? Are you a beach or a mountain person?
Decide your budget – The prices of a yoga retreat can vary greatly depending on where you’re going and what you want from it. Budgeting would help you find an optimum balance between your wallet and wellness!
Choose a teacher – If possible, see if you can choose a reputable yoga teacher, or if the retreats you’ve shortlisted have qualified instructors.
Duration – Figure out how many days you can afford to stay at the retreat. Remember, yoga retreats aren’t something you can return from overnight. You may have to stay for at least three days.
What Are the 4 Types Of Yoga?
There are 4 types of yoga, namely karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga and raja yoga.
What Are Yoga Retreats?
Yoga retreats are a form of vacation with a strong focus on yoga and wellness. With the help of a certified yoga instructor, you detox yourself from the worries of everyday life. A yoga retreat aims to ensure that you leave there all rejuvenated.
What Are The Best Wellness Retreats?
Some of the best wellness retreats in India are:
- Veda5 Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat, Rishikesh
- SwaSwara Retreat, Gokarna
- Purple Valley Yoga Retreat, Goa
- Hinterland Village Eco Resort, Kochi
- Shreyas Yoga Retreat, Bangalore
What Do You Do At A Wellness Retreat?
A typical day at a wellness retreat would involve you starting the day with meditation or yoga practice, eating nutritious meals, and coaxing the tension out of muscles with massages. The general aim is to make you feel much better, physically and mentally, than when you entered the retreat.
