Planning Your Dream vacation

With so many great options, how do you choose the yoga vacation that's right fo r yo u?

BY LUCIELLE HALL and you'll soon determine the type of vacation staples like the Caribbean yoga vacation that best suits your needs. Islands, Costa Rica, and Europe. In o , YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH of the Switzerland, the Viniyoga Retreat in St. overrun beaches, the tiresome Pick a Place Moritz offers an eight-day yoga vacation Stourist traps, the frazzled feeling YOU'LL WANT TO START by looking for during which you practice yoga in the that comes from fitting too much "fun" ways to narrow down the field of options. morning and are free to spend the after- into your precious little time off. What For instance, if you've already found a noons hiking among the snow-clad peaks you really want this year, you've decided, teacher and yoga technique you like, of the Alps or swimming in serene moun- is not recreation, but re-creation-extend- you're in good shape. Even if your teacher tain lakes. (Barry Liss, 310 -578 -5561.) If ing the peace, serenity, and sense of well- doesn't offer yoga vacations, she should the Greek archipelago is more your style, being you feel after yoga class. What be able to recommend retreats with oth- you could travel to Molivos, a village on better way to do this than by taking a er teachers of the same style. the island ofLesbos in the Aegean Sea, yoga vacation? Ifyou don't have a teacher or technique where yoga teachers Angela Farmer and You ask around for some leads, get on that you are committed to-or ifyou sim- Victor van Kooten arrange one- to three- the Web and visit a few sites, make some ply want to try out other styles-your week yoga retreats each year (937-767- calls, and soon you're inundated with a range of choices is much broader. So start 7727). (Seep. 152 for more European yoga stack of brochures promising unique, life- with location. In the United States, you'll vacations.) transforming yoga advenrures, each one find yoga retreats in more than 20 states, If you do decide to travel to distant more tantalizing than the last. from the serene mountains of Colorado to shores, take special care to weigh your But then what? Even if this is not your the woodlands of New Hampshire, from travel options. Some overseas yoga vaca- first yoga vacation, choosing among the the lavish beaches of Hawaii to the mysti- tions are turnkey packages that include vast number of offerings can be a chal- cal silence of the red rocks of Sedona, Ari- everything from airline tickets to local lenge. How do you select the experience zona. Choose the destination, and then accommodations, language instruction, that's right for you? check out what's available in that area. and pre-arranged sight-seeing trips. Oth- With a bit of common sense and the If you have a taste for more far-reach- ers, however, leave you completely on right resources, it's not as hard as it might ing advenrures, set your sights on India, your own. Ifyou choose to go to a remote seem. Ask yourself the right questions, Bali, Nepal, Peru, or New Zealand-or on place like Molivos in Greece, for example,

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you will need to arrange your own tra ns- also learn to commune with na ture through you want,you can participate in a yoga class porrntion, your own accommodations in various types of energy work, wh ich for an hour each morning, enjoy an organ- one of the vill age's hotels, gucsthouses, or includes getting attuned to and communi- ic, vegan breakfast, and spend the rest of apartments, and your own meals. This is cating with a local wolf pack . Finally, if you the day hiking, exploring the island, or no big deal for a seasoned traveler. But if want the ultimate in grand mountajn vi s- indulging i.n whatever other vacation plea- your idea of adventure travel is a package tas, consider hiking in the Himalayas with sures you di scover. tour to the Bahamas, think twice before yoga teacher Sandy Cronland on a three- Retreat centers such as W hi te Lotus setting out for a place like Molivos. week trip to Nepal. The trip includes a 12- Foundation Retreat Center in Santa Bar- The advantages of pre-arranged pack- daytrek in the Everest area(51 0-655-0864). bara, California (805-964-1944), or Feath- ages-convenience and comfort-can be Alternatively, you might seek out a spe- ered Pi pe Ranch in Helena, Montana especially useful when traveling to devel- cial theme vacation, such as a yoga retreat (406-442-8 196), lie at the middle of the oping countries. Having someone e lse for women, which offers a safe and spectrum. These large retreat centers offer worry about the sanitary conditions of supportive environment for exploring an eclectic assortment of courses in per- your living space and the safcry of the deeper levels of the Self. You can also find sonal and spiritual development-and yoga food allows you to relax into the serenity vacations that focus on mind/body renew- re treats comprise just pare of the ii o ffer- and pleasure of your daily yoga practice. al through yoga combined with alternative ings. The more demanding daily schedule But less structured packages afford ben- therapies. At The Raj in Fairfield, Iowa, fo r at retreat centers typically features yoga efits, too-namely, lower costs and example, guests practice yoga as an adjunct classes one to three hours twice a day. You greater exposure to the local customs and to daily ayurvedicpa11chakarrna treatments, spend the rest of the day in instructional culture. Although pre-arranged packages whi ch consist of oil massages, herbal steam activities or meditation , and you'll u.sually

can be very reasonably priced, you can treatments, and other therapies. (Sec p. 1r2 have one to three hours off for other recre- sometimes save up to half the cost by for more about panchakarma.) atiu nal :1 ctrvities like music, dance, hiking, making your own arrangements instead. s,vimming. biking, an d so on. The courses Whether your destination is near or far Retreat or Resort? rn these centers oft~n attract a large nrnn- from home, think about adding a bit of I N ADD I TION TO the geographical possi- her of participants, a great plus if you are adventure to your itinerary In the United bilities, consider this: How much yoga do socially minded, but not so hot if you pre- States, yoga instructors Gillian and Russell you want to do o n your yoga vacation? fer smaller groups. Comstock organize an annual five-day Options range from casual classes held at At the intensive end of the spectrum of backpacking trip in the White Mountains, resort hotels in attractive tourist destina- yoga vacations are the half-doze n as hrams, where you can enjoy the deep silence of the tions to intensive, month-long retreats in or spiritual communities, around the coun- surrounding forests while practicing yoga remote spiritual communities with a rig- try that open their doors to visitors. (800-793-477 0). In Canada, the Northern orous daily schedule of yoga, meditation, Whereas retreat centers offer courses Edge Algonquin Retreat and Awareness and other spiritual practices. taught by teachecs from many different tra- center in Algonquin Park, Ontario, offers At one end of the spectrum, you'll find a ditions, ashrams most often focus on the teachings of one spiritual master. T he Ex- five-day canoe trips led by Jo Barten, a nat- vacation like that offered at the Yoga Oasis panding Light Center in California's Sierra uralist and yoga teacher (800-953-3343). near Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii, a During this trip you will explore the wilder- Bed & Breakfast which offers weeklong Nevada Mountains, for example, is the home of Ananda Village, a large intention- ness waterways, camp in nature, and prac- yoga intensives with local teachers (808- al community founded by followers of tice yoga several times a day. Participants 936-3727). If an intensive is more yoga than

YOGA JOURNAL 147 MARCH / APRIL 2000 YOGA VACATIONS & RETREATS

Paramahansa Yogananda (800-346-5350). your own vacation goals. In addition, you The daily routine includes yoga sessions may be asked to help out with chores and workshops with a focus on self-discov- (doing dishes, helping with yard mainte- ery or healthy living. Similarly, the Sivanan- nance, etc.) so be sure you're comfortable da Ashram Yoga Ranch in New York's with this before you sign up. Catskill Mountains offers retreat programs Accommodations and meals add based on the yoga and Vedanta teachings of another dimension to the planning. Most Sivananda (914-436-6492). Here you'll retreat centers serve a vegetarian or veg- spend your stay in meditation, , an-only menu that excludes caffeine-con- chanting, readings, and discussion. You'll taining beverages-a welcome bonus for also be expected to participate in some of some, a challenge for others. Ashrams the daily work activities around the ranch. typically offer dormitory accommoda- Whether you go for a resort-style yoga tions (four to seven per room), with vacation or decide to embark on a retreat shared bathroom facilities. If you prefer a is, of course, a matter of personal prefer- single or double room with a private bath- ence. If you want the flexibility to sched- room-and these are available-be sure ule your day exactly the way you want-or to book well in advance. But if you don't if you're new to yoga and don't want to mind a little communal living, the low commit to a more involved retreat- cost of retreat-type vacations ($ 220 per choose the resort-style vacation. This week and up) makes them a persuasive kind is also a best bet if you're combining option next to the typical $80 0 you'll pay a yoga adventure with a family vacation, for a resort-style yoga vacatio:,. as few retreat facilities offer child care or Whichever option you ch0c,,,', anyyoga options for a nonparticipating spouse. In vacation can be a deeply trDnsiorming many places, you simply take a one-hour experience that helps you dev•·-op a new class in the morning and are free to vaca- sense of yourself and what's in-.portant in tion with your family the rest of the day. your life. Peace, strength, seren.i t:"~ renewed If, on the other hand, you're looking vigor, and better health are jus~ some of the An exclusive-use retreat center for a deeper yoga experience, then the souvenirs that you'll bring home. Yoga nestled in the verdant jungles retreat centers and ashrams have the retreats enable you to meet fellow travelers of Ha'iku, the heart of Maui. advantage. You'll experience life in a spir- on the spiritual path, learn new techniques itual community, and hopefully awaken to for creating greater inner baiance, and The perfect sanctuary for new dimensions of meaning and purpose. above all, have fun and explore both the groups of 20-40, providing you You will meet like-minded people, make outer and the inner wonders of life. new friends, and explore enriching spiri- a unique facility to enhance tual disciplines and teachings. For many Lucie/le Hall is a freelance writer living in your workshop or program. people, the journey to a sanctuary where Iowa. everyone is focused on the pursuit of per- "A fabulous yoga facility! sonal and spiritual growth can be a trans- RESOURCES: YOGA VACATIONS: A Lush vegetation, incredible forming experience. G U ID E TO INTERNATIONAL YOGA cuisine, twin hot tubs under the At the same time, you want to make R E TREAT S by Annalisa Cunningham sure you'll be comfortable with the more stars, beautiful pool and a (Jo hn Muir Publications, 1999). A compre- structured daily routine typical of retreat wonderfully attentive staff, hensive and detailed listing of more than centers. Look over the daily schedule in make Mana Le'a Gardens a true IOO different yoga vacations and retreats advance, and see if it suits you. If you have paradise within a paradise:' in the United States and overseas. Helpful very little previous experience with yoga, -Rodney Yee indices in the back of the book group the a retreat that offers two daily three-hour retreats according to location, instructor, Retreat & Group Leaders Call : yoga sessions may be more than you bar- or time of year offered. gained for. In some cases, particularly at 1-800-233-6467 WWW. YOGASITE.COM: This useful site ashrams, participation in the daily sched- provides links to the Web pages of nearly ,, I,,, I - ule is mandatory. Even when it isn't, you 40 yoga retreat centers in the United www.maui.net/'."' mlg _-;·- don't want to put yourself in a situation States, Canada, Europe, South America, where you feel torn between following : . . ', .~<·-\r:~?,·,i:.,,,.~lf:- and the Caribbean. the center's daily routine and fulfilling

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