Courtesy Burren Yoga Centre
By Carrie Havranek; edited by Hannah Norman
For the times when you need to rejuvenate, a yoga vacation can be the perfect escape. From Mexico to Ireland and India, many of these vacations are at all-inclusive, retreat-style establishments offering a range of yoga styles. High-caliber instruction, vegetarian-friendly meals, and the use of saunas are typically included at each of these locales -- leaving you little choice but to focus on destressing.
Photo Caption: Yoga poses on the limestone rocks overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, at Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre. Courtesy Burren Yoga Centre.
What: SwaSwara
Where: Karnataka, India
The Details: SwaSara means "my own rhythm," and so the pace at this resort is designed accordingly. The resort is on a clifftop overlooking OM beach, where you can do yoga as the sun rises and relax in your own villa. Yoga, meditation, vegetarian meals, art classes, cooking instruction, and transfers from the Goa airport are all included. An attention to local, organic, and seasonal food defines the menu.
When: The resort is open year-round.
More Info: www.swaswara.com
Photo Caption: Meditation at SwaSwara yoga retreat in Karnataka, India. Courtesy of SwaSwara
What: Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
Where: Lenox, Massachusetts
The Details: Kripalu has grown over the years, including the recent addition of an eco-friendly dormitory to its campus in the Berkshires. Come here for different workshops and classes with top instructors in yoga and wellness. To experience the essence of the place, however, try a Retreat and Renewal, where you create your own itinerary at your pace. Hike, walk, do yoga, take tai chi, learn about nutrition, and more.
When: Retreat and Renewals take place year-round.
More Info: tel. 866/200-5203; www.kripalu.org
Photo Caption: Yoga classes at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Courtesy Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health
What: Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre
Where: Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland
The Details: Famous for its limestone rocks, rolling hills, and extensive archeological history, the Burren lies south of Galway in County Clare. When you're not practicing various yoga poses at this center -- located on the edge of the Burren -- you can enjoy long walks and soak up some of Ireland's most scenic countryside. Depending on the time of year, retreat lengths vary from weekends to weeklong retreats.
When: The schedule varies. For example, weekend-only courses are available through late May; six-day retreats start in the end of June through September.
More Info: tel. +353-91-637680; www.burrenyoga.com
Photo Caption: Outdoor yoga at Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre in Kinvara, County Galway. Courtesy Burren Yoga Centre
What: Haramara Retreat
Where: Sayulita, Mexico
The Details: Escape for a week at the secluded Haramara, situated between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Accommodations are in private palapa cabanas that merge the indoor-outdoor experience. At Haramara, yoga and meditation classes take place in the open-air pavilion, where you'll feel cooling ocean breezes. The curriculum includes a range of yoga styles, including Iyengar, vinyasa, and Yin Yang.
When: Saturday-to-Saturday retreats run throughout the year.
More Info: tel. 888/494-3688; www.haramararetreat.com
Photo Caption: Pacific coastline near Haramara Retreat in Sayulita, Mexico. Courtesy Haramara Retreat
What: Feathered Pipe
Where: Helena, Montana
The Details: This is strictly a retreat place, so you're not able to stay for just a couple of nights. That's fine though, because you'll want to soak up the beauty of the Rocky Mountains -- when you're not in downward-facing dog, that is. Devotees come from all over to enjoy the workshops from visiting teachers, such as Sherri Baptiste and Brooke Medicine Eagle in June and Erich Schiffmann in July. Accommodations range from indoor rooms at the ranch to tents, teepees, or yurts, depending on what sort of experience you prefer.
When: Workshops are held throughout the year.
More Info: tel. 406/442-8196; www.featheredpipe.com
Photo Caption: Instructor Erich Schiffmann teaching at Feathered Pipe yoga retreat. Courtesy Feathered Pipe Ranch
For the times when you need to rejuvenate, a yoga vacation can be the perfect escape. From Mexico to Ireland and India, many of these vacations are at all-inclusive, retreat-style establishments offering a range of yoga styles. High-caliber instruction, vegetarian-friendly meals, and the use of saunas are typically included at each of these locales -- leaving you little choice but to focus on destressing.
Photo Caption: Yoga poses on the limestone rocks overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, at Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre. Courtesy Burren Yoga Centre.
Where: Karnataka, India
The Details: SwaSara means "my own rhythm," and so the pace at this resort is designed accordingly. The resort is on a clifftop overlooking OM beach, where you can do yoga as the sun rises and relax in your own villa. Yoga, meditation, vegetarian meals, art classes, cooking instruction, and transfers from the Goa airport are all included. An attention to local, organic, and seasonal food defines the menu.
When: The resort is open year-round.
More Info: www.swaswara.com
Photo Caption: Meditation at SwaSwara yoga retreat in Karnataka, India. Courtesy of SwaSwara
Where: Lenox, Massachusetts
The Details: Kripalu has grown over the years, including the recent addition of an eco-friendly dormitory to its campus in the Berkshires. Come here for different workshops and classes with top instructors in yoga and wellness. To experience the essence of the place, however, try a Retreat and Renewal, where you create your own itinerary at your pace. Hike, walk, do yoga, take tai chi, learn about nutrition, and more.
When: Retreat and Renewals take place year-round.
More Info: tel. 866/200-5203; www.kripalu.org
Photo Caption: Yoga classes at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Courtesy Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health
Where: Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland
The Details: Famous for its limestone rocks, rolling hills, and extensive archeological history, the Burren lies south of Galway in County Clare. When you're not practicing various yoga poses at this center -- located on the edge of the Burren -- you can enjoy long walks and soak up some of Ireland's most scenic countryside. Depending on the time of year, retreat lengths vary from weekends to weeklong retreats.
When: The schedule varies. For example, weekend-only courses are available through late May; six-day retreats start in the end of June through September.
More Info: tel. +353-91-637680; www.burrenyoga.com
Photo Caption: Outdoor yoga at Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre in Kinvara, County Galway. Courtesy Burren Yoga Centre
Where: Sayulita, Mexico
The Details: Escape for a week at the secluded Haramara, situated between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Accommodations are in private palapa cabanas that merge the indoor-outdoor experience. At Haramara, yoga and meditation classes take place in the open-air pavilion, where you'll feel cooling ocean breezes. The curriculum includes a range of yoga styles, including Iyengar, vinyasa, and Yin Yang.
When: Saturday-to-Saturday retreats run throughout the year.
More Info: tel. 888/494-3688; www.haramararetreat.com
Photo Caption: Pacific coastline near Haramara Retreat in Sayulita, Mexico. Courtesy Haramara Retreat
Where: Helena, Montana
The Details: This is strictly a retreat place, so you're not able to stay for just a couple of nights. That's fine though, because you'll want to soak up the beauty of the Rocky Mountains -- when you're not in downward-facing dog, that is. Devotees come from all over to enjoy the workshops from visiting teachers, such as Sherri Baptiste and Brooke Medicine Eagle in June and Erich Schiffmann in July. Accommodations range from indoor rooms at the ranch to tents, teepees, or yurts, depending on what sort of experience you prefer.
When: Workshops are held throughout the year.
More Info: tel. 406/442-8196; www.featheredpipe.com
Photo Caption: Instructor Erich Schiffmann teaching at Feathered Pipe yoga retreat. Courtesy Feathered Pipe Ranch