Our top whimsical wish list for worldwide yoga retreats

There is no denying we have all been dreaming of those exotic far off locations and there is nothing dreamier than the escape and splendour of a complete health and wellness yoga retreat. Whilst travel might not be on the cards for many of us right now, there is no hope lost in dreaming right?!? Let’s take a look at some of the most boujee yoga retreats worldwide. 

Tri in Lake Koggala, Sri Lanka

Tri is a new breed of luxury, a space where sustainability rules and authenticity shines. Owner Rob Drummond has created the retreat space in the heart of an old cinnamon plantation on the lush banks of the pristine Lake Koggala in Sri Lanka. In every facet of the building stage environmentally sustainable practices have been utilised. It is the appearance with its cinnamon timber clad walls and living roof planted with greenery that unifies the space with the jungle-sprawl in which it is situated. 

Rob’s wife Lara has devoted herself to the experience inside this space sharing her expert Ayurvedic knowledge to provide a bespoke plan of diet, fitness, yoga and spa treatments for each guest. Lara’s clients include Gerard Butler and Sienna Miller who have moved through her daily Quantum Yoga practices in the floating treetop shala, then stretched with alignment specialist Jessie Quon. Meals are served in keeping with your dosha, but elegantly crafted by renown in-house chef Neil Wager. On every level this is an experience that is Euphoria-inducing, feeding the mind, body and soul in the best way possible.

 

Eat, Pray, Move in Marrakesh, Morocco

Ever since we discovered Elizabeth Gilberts intriguing story of ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ we have all been inadvertently seeking that empowering and transformative experience and just maybe this might be it. Julian Hyzler’s Luxury Yoga and Creativity retreats offer a unique blend of yoga and art taking you on a sensory journey through this exotic landscape.

Set in the fabulous Peacock Pavilion boutique hotel, this ultra-stylish but also eco-friendly abode is the most exquisite backdrop for a week of self-discovery. Just the architecture alone is enough to stimulate the senses let alone the locally sourced vegetarian Moroccan spread that is laid on for every meal. This retreat is more than just fitness through yoga but a trip for the inner goddess as you sip pomegranate martinis amongst your new-found friends at a lunch time henna party in the olive groves.

  

Ananda in Northern India

India is the birthplace of yoga and it is here in the foothills in the Himalayas where it is said that Hatha Yoga originated and a place where Ayurvedic medicine has been practiced for over a millennia. So, it is fitting that sitting on 100 acres of Sal forest is a maharaja’s palace that houses India first, and still the very finest, Ananda Luxury Spa Retreat.

Ananda in Sanskrit translates to bliss and this is exactly what you should imagine with its 24,000 square foot marble spa, elite fitness facilities, pure fresh water pools and staff that are so attentive that a fresh towel envelopes you each time you emerge from the water. With 5-21-day programs each guest’s experience is specifically tailored to their dosha. Following a consultation with the inhouse Ayurvedic practitioner each experience will be designer down to the finest detail including the herbs and oils used in your spa treatments to the food eaten in the restaurant. With wooden yoga pavilions and some of the most esteemed yoga practitioner ready to workshop each session with you, this is a yoga retreat like no other and real opportunity to journey into the original yogi wellbeing process.

 

Mana- Byron Bay, NSW Australia

Mana was created out of a passion to bring people together through the practice of yoga. And this has been done so beautifully with their retreat held at their exclusive beachfront rainforest space at Belongil Beach in Byron Bay. Picture dreamy early morning yoga flows on the white sandy surf beaches of Australia’s most prestigious wellness hub in northern NSW.

Patty Perlman is the retreat leader and head trainer, she has dedicated her life to learning all about wholesome mind and body care. Between Patty and her retreat team they have an impressive array of accreditations including yoga teacher trainers, Nutritionists, Chiropractic masters, remedial massage therapist, Naturopath, and even an acupuncturist. Paired with the pristine natural environment and an array of wilderness adventures you can expect your experience to be well-rounded and utterly fulfilling. And those of us in Australia this might even be a retreat that could be on your radar sooner than you think with scheduled retreats still booked for their spring and summer series of 2020.

 

Aro Ha Wellness Retreat, New Zealand

Another deeply nature rich experience that might not be too far from home for many of us is the Aro Ha Wellness Retreat in New Zealand. New Zealand is often associated with adventure tourism but this is an adventure with a different tune. With five, six- and seven-day retreats led by yogi and founder Damian Chaparro these experiences focus on rejuvenating the mind and body drawing from mother nature’s most breathtaking landscapes. Think sunrise yoga, kayaking excursions and epic hikes on the trails of the surrounding Southern Alps and along the shores of sapphire-blue Lake Wakatipu. Days end will see a restorative yoga practice and nourishing, paleo-friendly cuisine.

This is a multi-award-winning adventure where the accommodation and yoga space are architecturally designed, the menu is specially tailored to replenish and support the body and the activities have been refined to transcend you into a place of utter bliss.