When we think of yoga, most of us think of relaxation, inwardness and meditative states. We think of balance and stretching, being centered and strength. Yoga is all these things, and there are many vacation retreats in beautiful places around the world that can give you that kind of rejuvenating experience.
But what about those yoga lovers among us who are looking for something a little more exhilarating?
A vinyasa session followed by a surfing class, for example, or a little zip lining after your morning stretch? If the combination of yoga and adventure, or even extreme sports, sounds like your cup of tea, then read on. The following are some of the world’s best yoga vacations for adventure seekers.
1. Bike Ride From A Volcano To Beachside Yoga In Maui, Hawaii
Nestled on a tropical beachfront on the Hawaiian island of Maui, this yoga vacation is run by Fit and Fly Girl, a yoga and travel company which offers women’s-only yoga and adventure trips around the world (other destinations include Buenos Aires, Costa Rica, the French Riviera, Ibiza and Uruguay). This retreat combines daily yoga with cardio workouts, as well as surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking and snorkelling. You can also learn to hula dance, plus each booking includes a complimentary 60-minute massage. But the most unique offering on this Maui trip is the opportunity to bike ride at sunrise downhill from Haleakala Volcano, all the way to the beach.
Photo courtesy of Sacred Earth Journeys
2. Man A Sailboat Between Yoga Sessions Off The Coast Of Maine
Odds are you’ve never combined yoga and sailing, but there’s a first time for everything. Spend three days aboard the 95-foot Windjammer Angelique, sailing off the coast of Maine. Help in all aspects of sailing the ship, while also taking calming yoga and meditation classes on deck. And don’t worry, this isn’t a huge operation with hundreds of passengers; you’ll be joined at most by 28 other people. You’ll even get to go ashore to dine one night on a deserted beach. This experience specifically caters to vegetarians and pescatarians.
- Photo courtesy of Prana del Mar
3. Yoga, Surfing And Kayaking In Baja, Mexico
Head to the tropical beaches of the Prana del Mar resort in Mexico, outside of Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific coast, to experience beachfront yoga at its finest. Prana del Mar is very eco-friendly; the resort is powered by solar, the restaurant sources many of its ingredients from the in-house organic vegetable garden, and even the yoga studio mats are hand woven from bamboo. But the highlights of this yoga trip are the many additional activities available. Yoga is the focus, but you can also make use of the beautiful nearby beach to surf, kayak, snorkel, hike and even horse ride along the shore.
For more information, click here. Most retreats sit at around $2,000 per person but vary according to the trip.
Photo courtesy of Langua Travel
4. Rock Climbing, Yoga And Nature Hikes On A Southern Arizona Ranch
In the eternal sunny, clear atmosphere of southern Arizona, a stone’s throw from canyons and the Santa Catalina Mountains, lies the 150 acre Canyon Ranch, a health resort offering a plethora of adventure activities. There are both individual and group yoga classes available, with group sessions located in a dedicated yoga meditation dome. Combine your yoga experience with nature hikes, rock climbing, zip lining, horseback riding or a high ropes course. Canyon Ranch even includes massage and metaphysical therapies to counter all that physical exertion.
Photo courtesy of Red Mountain
5. Horseback Yoga In Utah
Surrounded by the beauty of Snow Canyon State Park in Utah, all red rock and open spaces, this four-day retreat combines spiritual yoga practice with horse riding. Run by both equestrian and yoga experts, the retreat focuses on relaxation and mindfulness, as well as building a connection with your horse. When it comes to rejuvenation, the trail rides through stunning natural vistas certainly don’t hurt, either.
Top photo credit: Photo courtesy of Sacred Earth Journeys.
Jessica Festa is the editor of the travel sites Jessie on a Journey (http://jessieonajourney.com) and Epicure & Culture (http://epicureandculture.com). Along with blogging at We Blog The World, her byline has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Gadling, Fodor’s, Travel + Escape, Matador, Viator, The Culture-Ist and many others. After getting her BA/MA in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, she realized she wasn’t really to stop backpacking and made travel her full time job. Some of her most memorable experiences include studying abroad in Sydney, teaching English in Thailand, doing orphanage work in Ghana, hiking her way through South America and traveling solo through Europe. She has a passion for backpacking, adventure, hiking, wine and getting off the beaten path.
