Yoga Retreats

Yoga Retreats in the Countryside 

India – The Origin of Yoga and Spiritual Renewal

• Regions: Rishikesh (Himalayan foothills), Kerala backwaters, Himachal Pradesh mountain villages
• Retreat Style: Traditional ashrams, Ayurveda healing centers, nature lodges
• Women’s Appeal: Many women-only or women-friendly retreats offering authentic yoga, meditation, and healing therapies. The sacred rivers, mountain silence, and Ayurvedic detox rituals create a transformative environment.
• Extras: Spiritual workshops, mantra chanting, guided hikes to waterfalls.

Nepal – Himalayan Peace & Authentic Culture

• Where: Pokhara lakeside, Annapurna foothills
• What to Expect: Yoga sessions with breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, small boutique retreats blending Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and yoga.
• Women Focus: Female instructors and small groups create safe, empowering spaces. Holistic healing like sound baths and herbal steam are common.
• Bonus: Trekking combined with daily yoga for a body-mind connection.

Indonesia (Bali) – Tropical Yoga Oasis

• Location: Ubud and surrounding rice terraces
• Style: Open-air yoga pavilions, jungle retreats, detox and plant-based diets
• Why Women Love It: The blend of spiritual Balinese culture and natural beauty invites deep relaxation and personal growth. Many retreats focus on women’s wellness, hormone balancing, and creative expression.
• Extras: Sacred ceremonies, temple visits, holistic spa treatments.

Thailand – Northern Highlands & Spiritual Simplicity

• Places: Chiang Mai, Pai countryside
• Offerings: Yoga retreats that combine forest bathing, meditation, and Thai healing arts like massage and herbal steam.
• Women’s Space: Female-led centers with cozy guesthouses or eco-lodges. Many retreats incorporate local organic cuisine and crafts.
• Highlight: Calm rural atmosphere perfect for introspection and connection.

Sri Lanka – Tea Plantation Serenity

• Regions: Ella, Kandy hills
• Experience: Yoga retreats set in lush tea estates with views of waterfalls and jungle. Ayurveda treatments and herbal teas accompany sessions.
• Women-Centric: Smaller, boutique retreats often run by women, focused on holistic healing and mindful living.
• Extras: Nature walks, meditation by waterfalls, cooking classes.

Portugal – Sun-Drenched Countryside Calm

• Where: Alentejo plains, Douro Valley vineyards
• Why: Combining yoga with slow food and wine culture, set in beautifully restored farmhouses or vineyard estates.
• Women’s Interests: Detox and nutrition programs, feminine energy workshops, creative arts like pottery or weaving.
• Bonus: Walking tours through olive groves, thermal baths nearby.

Spain – Mediterranean Relaxation & Energy

• Regions: Mallorca’s countryside, Andalusia’s olive groves
• Style: Yoga retreats in historic fincas with a focus on mindfulness, body movement, and Mediterranean nutrition.
• Women-Only Options: Yes—offering empowerment circles, dance therapy, and plant-based cooking.
• Extras: Coastal walks, horseback riding, flamenco classes.

Italy – Rustic Elegance & Slow Living

• Locations: Tuscany hills, Umbria, Sardinia
• Vibe: Yoga sessions overlooking rolling vineyards, combined with art therapy, wine tasting, and farm-to-table meals.
• For Women: Retreats often include journaling, self-discovery workshops, and pampering in countryside villas.
• Highlight: Blend of culture, food, and gentle physical practice.

Greece – Island & Olive Grove Tranquility

• Where: Peloponnese, Crete, smaller Cycladic islands
• Offerings: Yoga combined with Mediterranean diet, ancient wellness rituals, and myth-inspired storytelling.
• Women Focus: Safe, intimate retreats with small groups and women instructors.
• Extras: Beach meditation, hikes to ancient ruins, cooking classes.

France – Lavender Fields & Alpine Peace

• Regions: Provence, Dordogne, Pyrenees
• Experience: Yoga retreats in picturesque villages surrounded by lavender and vineyards. Emphasis on relaxation and feminine embodiment.
• Women’s Space: Many retreats are women-only or women-focused with workshops on self-care and empowerment.
• Extras: Wine tasting, nature hikes, visits to local markets.

United Kingdom – Wild Landscapes & Cozy Retreats

• Where: Cornwall coast, Lake District, Scottish Highlands
• Style: Yoga retreats in rustic cottages or luxury glamping tents with access to wild swimming, hiking, and nature walks.
• Women’s Angle: Feminine circles, holistic wellness therapies, and strong community vibes.
• Extras: Wild food foraging, herbalism workshops.

Ireland – Mystical Countryside Yoga

• Regions: Kerry, West Cork, Wicklow Mountains
• Why: Yoga retreats infused with Celtic spirituality, storytelling, and traditional music.
• Women-Focused: Many women-only retreats with workshops on inner healing and creativity.
• Highlight: Gentle countryside pace and mystical landscape.

Morocco – Desert & Mountain Yoga

• Locations: Atlas Mountains, Agafay Desert near Marrakech
• Offerings: Yoga and meditation in Berber villages or desert camps with spa treatments like hammams and argan oil massages.
• Women’s Space: Female-run retreats combining yoga with local cultural immersion.
• Bonus: Henna workshops, desert stargazing.

Costa Rica – Jungle & Beach Wellness

• Where: Nicoya Peninsula, Osa Peninsula
• Style: Eco-resorts offering yoga alongside surfing, plant-based diets, and nature therapy.
• Women’s Retreats: Detox, mindfulness, and empowerment retreats in eco-lodges run by female instructors.
• Extras: Waterfall hikes, wildlife spotting.

Peru – Andean Spiritual Yoga

• Where: Sacred Valley near Cusco
• Experience: Yoga retreats with indigenous Andean rituals, sound healing, and mountain views.
• Women-Focused: Small-group retreats often led by women shamans and healers.
• Extras: Ceremonial plant medicine (non-psychoactive), weaving workshops.

Mexico – Cultural & Jungle Yoga

• Regions: Oaxaca countryside, Yucatán jungles
• Offerings: Yoga with Mayan healing, temazcal steam baths, and connection to nature.
• Women’s Experience: Women-run eco-lodges offering healing and empowerment.
• Extras: Artisan craft markets, cenote swimming.

Australia – Coastal & Hinterland Wellness

• Where: Byron Bay hinterland, Margaret River
• Style: Yoga retreats with surfing, breathwork, and indigenous wellness traditions.
• Women’s Retreats: Female-led with focus on nature connection and creativity.
• Bonus: Wildlife encounters, forest bathing.

New Zealand – Pure Nature & Maori Healing

• Locations: South Island mountains, Coromandel Coast
• Why: Yoga in pristine nature with Maori cultural experiences and forest meditation.
• Women-Centered: Boutique retreats offering personal coaching and empowerment sessions.
• Extras: Hot springs, guided hikes.

USA – Diverse Landscapes & Styles

• Regions: California wine country, Vermont mountains, Sedona desert
• Offering: From rustic barn retreats to luxury wellness resorts. Yoga combined with journaling, art, and nature therapy.
• Women’s Space: Many women-only retreats focusing on healing trauma, empowerment, and self-love.
• Extras: Wild swimming, organic farm visits.

Canada – Lakes & Forests for Mindful Practice

• Where: British Columbia’s Kootenays, Prince Edward Island
• Experience: Yoga in forest cabins or lakeside lodges with seasonal workshops and wilderness therapy.
• Women’s Retreats: Intimate groups focused on mindfulness, emotional healing, and creativity.
• Extras: Canoeing, berry picking, herbal workshops.