Some people’s idea of the perfect vacation involves sea, sun and beach life. Others prefer culture; cities, dining and museums. Still others live for adventure travel, abseiling and white water rafting their way through the world.
But one of the most rejuvenating kinds of vacation is one focussed on relaxation, on calming the mind and centring the body. You’ve probably read about the many yoga retreats available around the world, but have you ever thought of paying visit to an ashram? While the term once referred only to a spiritual retreat or monastery, the term ‘ashram’ is now used for a range of Hindu or Buddhist cultural centers where you can study and practice meditation, yoga and music. These oases of meditation and spirituality are a balm for the mind, body and soul.
Here are ten of the world’s best ashram experiences:
Photo courtesy of Sacred Earth Journeys.
1. Explore Sacred South India
Venture into the lush, colorful lands of Southern India with this 15-day Sacred Earth tour. Blending yoga, spirituality and sightseeing, the trip features a visit to the Isha Center, located in the lush forest at the foots of the Velliangiri Mountains. The Sacred South India Yoga Adventure starts at $3500; click here to find out more.
Catskill Mountains. Photo courtesy of Kazela via Shutterstock.
2. Venture Into A Mountain Monastery In New York State
In the tranquil surrounds of New York’s Catskill Mountains, the Zen Mountain Monastery is one of the most respected monastic ashrams in the West. Focussed on Buddhist principles and practices, the center offers retreats and programs including Zen teachings. The most popular program runs over a weekend, though month-long and even year-long residencies are available; click here to find out more.
Photo courtesy of Sivananda Bahamas.
3. Relax At A Yoga Ashram In The Bahamas
Located on the aptly named Paradise Island, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas offers everything you could possibly need to relax and recharge. Select from a range of yoga vacation programs, yoga teacher training and even a range of spirituality and health-related courses. It’s also set right on the beach. Yoga Vacation Programs start at $32 a day plus accommodation; click here to find out more.
Vishalakshi Mantapa. Photo courtesy of atanasija1 via Shutterstock.
4. Discover The Art Of Living In Bangalore, India
Located on beautiful grounds in Bangalore, with the stunning Vishalakshi Mantapa building at its heart, the Art of Living Ashram offers the entire package of reviving ashram experiences. Choose from yoga classes, Ayuverda healing sessions, traditional Upanishad classes and meditation. Or don’t choose and just do them all. Most programs run on a weekly basis; click here to find out more.
Vrindavan. Photo courtesy of Nila Newsom via Shutterstock.
5. Head To India’s Most Sacred Place, Vrindavana
On the Yamuna river, between New Delhi and Agra, lies Vrindavana, a village known as the holiest place in India. In this spiritual place, you’ll find Govinda’s Ashram. Govinda’s runs by a set daily schedule, beginning early in the morning and featuring meditation, chants, teachings and satsung, as well as visits to sacred sites. Rates start at $15 per day; click here to find out more.
Photo courtesy of Jack Frog via Shutterstock.
6. Ashram Meets Château In Orléans, France
The Loire Valley isn’t all wine and castles; this lush central region of France is also home to an ashram yoga retreat, located near the charming city of Orléans. Immerse yourself in yoga practice, vegetarian cuisine and study at the Ashram de Yoga Sivananda Orléans. Rates range from 50-105 euros per night; click here to find out more.
Photo courtesy of Photobac via Shutterstock.
7. Find Hindi Spirituality In California
Looking out over the Monterey Bay, surrounded by forest and meadows, Mount Madonna is an ashram retreat right in the Bay Area. Inspired by the teachings of famous yogi Baba Hari Dass, Mount Madonna offers programs centred on yoga, creative arts and health, all set in a serene environment. Click here to found out more about their various programs.
Photo courtesy of Ananda in the Himalayas.
8. Retreat To The Himalayas
In what would have to be one of the most stunning settings in the world, Ananda Ashram is located in an ornate sandstone building perched in the Himalayas. With a range of spa and yoga options, Ananda is extremely luxurious, yet is still in touch with its spiritual roots. Plus Oprah likes it, so it has to be good, right? Rates start from $750 a night; click here to find out more.
Photo courtesy of Shekinashram.
9. Discover Ashram Culture In Somerset, England
Offering healing retreats, holistic therapies and yoga sessions (as well as yoga teacher training), Shekinashram is a slice of traditional ashram culture in the UK. With a focus on Bhakti yoga, Shekinashram provides a calming environment, vegan meals and meditation spaces. Click here to find out about rates and packages.
Photo courtesy of Osho.
10. Immerse Yourself In Meditation In Pune, India
Many ashrams focus mostly on yoga or spa treatments, but at Osho, meditation reigns supreme. Located by a lush, calming park in Pune in the Maharashtra region of India, the retreat offers a total of ten meditation sessions a day, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with your mind and spirit. Click here to find out about rates and packages.
Do you have any recommendations for ashram vacations? Please share in the comments below.
By Gemma King.
Top photo credit: Photo courtesy of Pikoso.kz via Shutterstock.
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.
