Yoga has long been known for its physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits. Ensuing, spiritual tourism or yoga tourism is rapidly growing all over the world. As a result, people are loving the idea of trips to places and resorts dedicated to yoga and meditation.
Thus, from an enthusiast to someone having even little knowledge of yoga knows its place of origination. Yes, India, being the birthplace of yoga has been the go-to place to learn, practice and experience the ancient wisdom. Hence, we can find some of the best yoga retreats in India today.
Top 6 Yoga Retreats In India
Either you’re an experienced yogi or someone who is just interested to do yoga, visiting a yoga retreat can be a great experience for you. Here are the best affordable yoga retreats in India for you to have the best spiritual experience.
1. Ananda In The Himalayas – Uttarakhand
‘Ananda In The Himalayas’ arguably holds to position for the best yoga retreats in India and also, perhaps in the world. Formerly a palace estate of Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal, it is located in the foothills of Himalayans within a 100-acre space and is also close to the mythological cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh. You just cannot go wrong by selecting this yoga retreat! Ananda is not just a retreat that will leave you in awe with its surrounding beauty and natural atmosphere. In fact, it is a traditional retreat for genuine spiritual experience.
If that is not enough to create you the perfect atmosphere, this yoga retreat is also surrounded by graceful Sal forests, overlooking the peaceful Ganga. The prestigious resort’s Yoga Pavilions and Yoga Shalas offer elevated views of the beautiful Himalayan foothills. The award-winning resort is also renowned for its comprehensive Ayurvedic spa menu and Vedanta philosophies which partner with their yoga program to truly give you a relaxing experience.
The lifestyle at ‘Ananda In The Himalayas’ includes the holistic practice of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedanta. Ayurveda – an Indian medical practice, is at the core practice of this place. Ensuing, your each day will begin and end with yoga. At Ananda, guests are taught a very traditional Hatha yoga and integrate mindfulness through breathing techniques and meditation. Here, spiritual advisors will help you through different methods of meditation.
Also, you can enjoy the unforgettable spas or even trek up to Kunjapuri Temple and head to Rishikesh for the ‘Aarti ceremony’ (a world-famous Hindu religious pooja/ritual).
Contact Details of Ananda in the Himalayas:
Address: The Palace Estate, Narendra Nagar Tehri – Garhwal, Uttarakhand – 249175, India
Phone: +91 11 61210000
Website: www.anandaspa.com
Course Packages and Duration:
Yoga: 7 Nights
Detox: 5 Nights
Renew: 3 Nights
Rebalance: 3 Nights
Yogic Detox: 7 Nights
Active-Fitness: 3 Nights
Dhyana Meditation: 7 Nights
Stress Management: 7 Nights
Integrative Healing: 3 Months
Ananda Yoga Retreat:Â 6 Nights
Weight Management: 14 Nights
Ayurvedic Rejuvenation:Â 7 Nights
Anada Panchakarma Programme: 14 Nights
2. Shreyas Yoga Retreat – Bangalore
Shreyas Yoga Retreat is set in a serene, simple and luxurious environment to experience a fine balance between body, mind, and spirit, leading towards a personalized journey of self-discovery. Located in the Silicon Valley of Asia, Bangalore, it is established in 25-acres of greenery and frangipani gardens. The center is completely dedicated to yoga, the retreat classes are based on Hatha and Ashtanga Vinyasa. The yoga instructors are trained in both the traditional and modern practices of these forms of yoga, giving guests a well-rounded experience.
The yoga retreat holds yoga classes twice a day along with one meditation session, in addition to optional community service for guests looking to give back to the local area and experience India beyond the retreat. However, the guests can choose how much or how little Yoga they would like to practice daily in the machans and meditation huts. Eco-friendly accommodation offerings include cottage suites, eight tents and a five-person cottage, set within a coconut grove. The center can occupy up to 20 guests at a time, each cared for by staff, teachers and therapists, who have incorporated Yoga principles into their daily philosophy.
Furthermore, other traditional practices like Yoga Nidra, Pranayama, Pratyahara, daily guided meditation and chanting sessions are practiced under the guidance of teachers. Along with a wholesome menu of vegetarian cuisine, mouna and karma Yoga – to appreciate silence and a selfless attitude towards work respectively are all practiced here.
The rejuvenation Spa also offers a range of treatments such as massages and many more to ease body aches and pains along with weight gain issues. There is also a large infinity pool & Jacuzzi, a 24-hour gym and their own library with books and movies on philosophy, spirituality, science, and nature.
Contact Details of Shreyas Yoga Retreat:
Address: Santoshima Farm, Gollahalli Gate, Nelamangala, 562123, Bangalore, India
Phone: +91-99-1611-0434 , +91-99-1611-0436
Website:Â www.shreyasretreat.com
Course Packages and Duration:
Silent Retreat: 7 Nights
The Joy Of Giving: 7 Nights
Culinary Experience: 7 Nights
Detox: 7 Nights and 14 Nights
Weight Management: 14 Nights and 21 Nights
Ayurveda Rejuvenation: 7 Nights and 14 Nights
Panchakarma: 14 Nights, 21 Night and 28 Nights
Yoga Retreat: 3 Nights, 5 Nights, 7 Nights and 14 Nights
The Wellness Retreat: 3 Nights, 5 Nights, 7 Nights and 14 Nights
3. SwaSwara – Gokarna
At the Southern part of India, we can find this magical place to have an experience unlike any other. A back-to-basics yoga retreat that you would expect to find in a travel documentary. SwaSwara is a serene and secluded resort spread across 26 acres of land surrounded by gardens, green lawns and coconut groves just beside the pristine Om beach. Here, Yoga and Ayurveda are the key therapies and it’s ideal for both yogis and holistic enthusiasts alike.
Daily yoga, meditation, pranayama, Ayurvedic treatments, art classes, an open kitchen, and local culture at its doorstep will make this experience unforgettable. Taking good care of yourself and your spiritual needs is at the center of a holiday at boutique retreat SwaSwara in Karnataka: this eco-friendly, serene hideaway promises to make you emerge thoroughly relaxed.
Surrounded by untouched vegetation and close to breathtaking beaches, you’ll find yourself removed from everyday stresses yet with all the comforts you crave. The yoga retreat is extremely eco-friendly, packaging-reduced bathroom toiletries, reminders about water conservation, harvesting of rainwater, on-site bio-gas converter – the ecological impact is minimized wherever possible.
Simply furnished, although stylish, SwaSwara’s villas look out over the ocean, boasting vast beds to sink into after a day of meditation or jungle trekking. The resort puts an emphasis on practicing yoga outdoors; your day starts with a yoga session on the beach. It’s the place you should visit for an experience of a lifetime.
Contact Details of SwaSwara:
Address:Â Om Beach, Donibhail, Gokarna, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka-581326, India
Phone:Â Â +91 484 4261751, +91 9744070099
Website:Â https://www.cghearth.com/swaswara
Packages and Duration:
Swa Well-being – 3 Nights Onwards
4. Atmantan – Pune
Since opening in April of 2016, Atmantan Wellness Resort is already causing a stir. It’s been scooping up many international awards and has quickly risen to be one of the best yoga retreats in India, even competing with the likes of Ananda in the Himalayas. Named after Atma (soul), Mana (mind) and Tann (body), Atmantan is a luxury wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune and Mumbai where individuals come for rejuvenation, relaxation, Detox, fitness and even to indulge in a pampering spa holiday.
Their ‘Journey Through Yoga’ retreat uses traditional Ayurvedic principles, including an array of prescribed treatments which will have you diving deeper into the rituals of yoga as you experience its many lifestyle benefits. They also provide private yoga sessions for an exclusive and personalized experience. The yoga retreat integrates traditional Indian healing practices with international therapies and modern fitness techniques.
Ones looking at deepening their current practice of Yoga or even looking at starting anew on the inspiring path of Yoga, then ‘Journey Through Yoga’ retreat at Atmantan will provide you with guidance towards imbibing the principles of Yoga as you experience its wonderful lifestyle benefits.
Contact Details of Atmantan:
Address: Mulshi, Pune – 412108, Maharashtra, India
Phone: +91 20 66766666, +91 20 2636 2222
Website: https://www.atmantan.com/
Packages and Duration:
Journey Through Yoga: Starts from 3 Nights
Atmantan Living: Starts from 3 Nights
Spa Life: Starts from 3 Nights
Master Cleanse: Starts from 3 Nights
Weight Balance: Starts from 5 Nights
Ayurveda Panchakarma: Starts from 5 Nights
Holistic Health: Starts from 5 Nights
Radiance Ritual: Starts from 5 Nights
Fitness Challenge: Starts from 5 Nights
Restorative Physiotherapy: Starts from 5 Nights
Yuva Edition: Starts from 5 Nights
5. Purple Valley Yoga Retreat – Goa
A popular and one of the best yoga retreats in India, Purple Valley Ashtanga Yoga Retreat is a peaceful haven situated in Goa. It is nestled in verdant greenery beside the Anjuna Beach and in the Assagao Valley, providing comfortable accommodations and ambiance. The place gives you a genuine and authentic yoga experience that a yoga retreat should have.
The yoga halls are simple and tranquil; the gardens are lush and filled with heady evening scents. The beach has sand as pale as sugar and the water is crystal-clear. The accommodation ranges from the simple and beautiful cottages to luxurious houses. The meals are healthy, tasty and vegetarian, and are served at communal tables on bamboo-shaded terraces.
Privacy is of paramount importance and there are plenty of secret spaces to just enjoy the peace. It appeals to those who desire the silence and tranquillity of a serious yoga retreat but who also prefer the reassurance of reasonable proximity to reality. And for complete beginners, it’s also the perfect way to kick start your practice and join the Ashtanga cult.
Contact Details of Purple Valley Yoga Retreat:
Address:Â Purple Valley Yoga Retreat, 142 Bairo Alto, Assagao, Bardez, Goa, India
Phone: +91 (0) 832 226 8363
Website:Â http://www.yogagoa.com
Packages and Duration:
Ashtanga yoga: 1 – 2 Weeks
6. Chaya Yoga Retreats – Goa
Chaya Yoga Retreat is best for Yogis of any level looking to relax with brilliant yoga teachers and a lovely beach nearby. However, it is not for those after five-star glitz or an expansive resort. ’Chaya’ meaning in Sanskrit ‘beauty’, ’lustre’ and ’protection’. In Hebrew, Chaya means ‘life’, or to ‘live’. The founders feel that this perfectly describes what they hope to create through their retreats. The possibility of seeing and feeling the beauty of life anew.
The yoga retreat offers exceptional yoga holidays with unforgettable healthy cuisine in a hidden oasis 10 minutes from Ashvem beach in the north of Goa. Chaya’s founder Lucy Hill chooses a theme for each retreat, related to something that’s arisen in her personal practice. She curates every retreat, with nourishing plant-based feasts, inspiring workshops and healing treatments included in the price.
Along with the retreat’s schedule, there is also time for the beach and trips to night markets. It’s also supportive of all, from beginners to advanced yogis. The basics are always the same (twice-daily yoga, delicious food, lots of treatment choice) with workshops varying according to the theme (for example, optional singing lessons with an opera singer for Finding Your Voice).
Your base is Kaju Varo, an Award-Winning eco-hotel in north Goa with lush gardens and plentiful trees – a far cry from India’s bustle. A five-minute stroll from Ashvem beach, Kaju Varo is a lush oasis, with stylish, minimalist accommodation around a pool and courtyard. Chaya Yoga Retreats runs several holidays, each with a different theme.
Contact Details of Chaya Yoga Retreats in Goa:
Address: Kaju Varo, Our Lady of Good Health Complex, Mazalwado, Anjuna Bardez, Goa – 403509, India
Phone: UK +44 7866 368798 | India +91 9168 255232
Website:Â http://www.chayayogaretreats.com
In Conclusion
We can question how much of the yoga we practice today in the West resembles the original yoga practiced in ancient India. Having said that, no list of yoga retreats from around the world would be complete without a trip to India.
Methodology
The list for best yoga retreats in India was created by going through various websites, some that are mentioned below. The process included intensive research by going through the various lists of the top yoga retreats not just in Indian but the whole world. Further, the short-listed names were further cross-checked and looked in details following their respective official websites and other reference sites.Â
Reference:Â Mydomaine | Traveltowellness | Thetrendspotter | Cntraveller | Telegraph
