Ultimate yoga holidays: 6 of the best places in the world to practice yoga
Whether youre about to embark on your 50th yoga retreat, or the thought of yoga makes you feel weary, we can help answer all your yoga related travel questions. We know that you cant help but feel intrigued by those glossy travel photos of yogis doing an impossible looking stretch in front of Ayers Rock, so let our helpful travel team show you how that can be achieved.
With health, fitness and mindfulness related holidays now topping a lot of travel wish lists, more and more people are considering taking a break that combines relaxation and fitness. Here at Aspen Travel we offer a lot of luxury packages that will not only allow you to exercise your body and mind, but will also give you a variety of ways in which to do that. This week, were looking at how yoga enthusiasts can take that perfect selfie, as well as experience how it feels to stretch the body in a range of different temperatures.
Whats the big deal about yoga holidays?
Yoga is form of exercise that has its roots in ancient Indian tradition and will increase your strength and flexibility as well as help you lose weight and tone you up. Its a well rounded form of physical activity that will exert your body and calm your mind.
Essentially, it involves you stretching your body into a variety of shapes, in order to work and tone different muscle groups. The manner in which its done is designed to help clear your mind of worries and focus on the task at hand, leaving you feel spiritually, or at least mentally, cleansed afterwards.
As minimal equipment is required, yoga can be practised just about anywhere you can lay your mat. You dont have to carry or hire expensive gear with you in order to start practising. What many people find when they start to practise this ancient art, is just how easily it can be incorporated into ones lifestyle and how beneficial it feels to practise it regularly.
With access to a good teacher, you will learn how to put yourself safely into the postures and get the most out of them, as well as how to tie yoga postures into your life, eat healthily and rid yourself of stress. The good news is if you dont fancy looking for a class in your local area straight away, then we offer a huge number of holiday packages, that provide yoga tuition. You can have your first taste of yoga in exotic surroundings.
Tips for taking yoga holidays
Our experienced travel agents here at Aspen Travel will be able to advise you on a huge number of destinations you can visit, which offer yoga classes. However, to make the most of your holiday, remember to choose a destination that you want to explore at the same time. Downtime is essential! The quality of the yoga tuition is obviously important, if youre researching particular teachers, but youll get more out of your yoga holiday if you suspect youll love the culture, cuisine and landscape of a place too.
Have an idea in mind of the amount of time you want to dedicate to yoga when youre away. Are you content to enjoy the odd drop-in yoga class, or are you looking to join a yoga school and reach a more advanced level? Different resorts will offer different schedules.
There are a variety of yoga disciplines. Some are more suited to beginners, or the less physically able, while others will encourage you to push yourself harder. Its best to acquaint yourself with the various disciplines and the level of yoga youll need before you go, in order to ensure you choose a holiday with a style of yoga you know youll enjoy.
If you already practise yoga regularly, and want to achieve something specific, do research the teacher thoroughly. Our travel agents will be able to find out which teachers give classes at which resorts, such as Club Med Mauritius luxury packages
If youre looking to start yoga because you have a particular aim in mind; ie to lose weight, or heal a specific injury, please make your yoga teacher aware of the fact, to ensure the type of yoga taught within a given resort will be able to help you.
6 Mind-blowing yoga backdrops
When youre in the zone, an incredible backdrop will help inspire you. Nobody ever does a half hearted posture with a gloriously sparkling ocean behind you! It simply doesnt happen! You might be practising your balances with the Atlas Mountains behind you, or feeling the burn in a long held triangle pose at an ancient ruin, but remember, when youre taking that all important selfie, get somebody else to hold the camera for you!
India
Its where yoga was first developed and is still widely practised here. While youre bending backwards and forwards, youre likely to see others doing the same. Our favourite location here is on the banks of the sacred Ganges river.
We offer all inclusive escorted tours all over India that will include at least a day of yoga, but one of our favourites is Intrepid Travels Indias Golden Triangle Yoga and Bollywood package. This tour will take you to what is commonly referred to as the yoga capital of the world; Rishikesh, where youll stay in an ashram and try incredible local spices.
Also included in this tour is a Bollywood style dance class and the opportunity to go to a film screening in Jaipur, not to mention a balloon ride over the same city. Youll visit some of Indias biggest tourist attractions; such as the Taj Mahal and Amber Fort, as well as get a tour of Indias capital; Delhi. Early morning yoga classes are simply the icing on the cake for this exciting yoga holiday. See all the glories of this tour here
Bali
Fancy striking up a pose at the island temple of Tanah Lot or in the shadow of the mighty Mount Batur volcano? This tropical paradise is a great destination for a yoga holiday. Youll try some incredible food, swim in warm ocean waters and stretch your body into different shapes in the sunshine.
Our favourite resort here for yoga related fun is Club Med Bali. Youve probably heard of the famous Club Med brand. This multi award winning tour operator has over 80 resorts spread out around the world, but what sets the Bali resort apart is its dedicated to zen practises. The resort is designed to be relaxing and has its own yoga school on site, so you can do as much or as little yoga as you want here.
This well equipped resort has 3 bars, one of which is directly on the beach. Youll also be able to enjoy a full menu of land based and water sports.
Burma
In this land of temples, youll be taking a river cruise through Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay. Visit the hill tribes of Inle Lake, the Mahamuni pagoda and take a balloon ride over the sweeping plains of Bagan. Yoga classes are available on the boat, so you can put yourself into dog posture on the top deck, while the world floats past you. All of this is included in the Burma Holiday with Sanctuary Ananda Cruise by Regent Holidays.
China
There are so many wondrous sights to absorb in this incredible country, that youll struggle to do them all on one trip. One of our favourite tour operators around China is Wendy Wu, who will take you to the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the Terrracotta Warriors in Xian and to have an amazing shopping experience in Shanghai.
However, for something a little bit different, with a strong yoga focus, why not book a week or two at Club Med Yabuli? This luxury resort is high up in the Chinese mountains, providing a perfect location for skiing during the winter months and beautiful alpine scenery the rest of the year. There are 2 restaurants and 2 bars here, along with a kids club and plenty of yoga classes; with full tuition provided.
Greece
Yoga is an ancient form of exercise, so why not practise it in the ancient surroundings of Greek ruins. The Portomyrina Palace Beachclub resort is operated by Neilson Holidays and is located on the beautiful island of Lemnos. It has won multiple Tripadvisor awards and looks out over the deep blue Aegean Sea. The Temple of Artemis is situated actually within the grounds of the resort.
Yoga classes and a teacher to guide you are provided here, so why not develop your skill level and get the most out of your Greek yoga holiday.
Barcelona
This favourite European destination is a Mecca for art lovers, sun worshippers and fans of exciting architecture. You could find yourself practising yoga on the top of Montjuic, looking out over the city, or on a platform at Gaudi Park. Tempting as it is though, dont try it at the infamous Sagrada Familia cathedral. Between the crowds and the super narrow spires, youll struggle!
A Celebrity Silhouette cruise by Great Rail Journeys will get you to Barcelona and give you yoga classes on the way. As well as stopping in Barcelona to get a few postures under your belt, youll also head to Marseilles, Cannes, Tuscany and Rome.
If youre interested in any of our yoga holidays, or youd simply like to find out more about the tours we run to the destinations where youd like to practise yoga, please get in touch with our friendly team. Well be able to provide you with a range of options and take care of the booking process for you.