For anyone
looking for peace and tranquillity and a chance to reconnect to their soul,
a yoga retreat is the ideal choice. India is the birthplace of yoga and
is obviously a great place to learn, practice and even find out how to
teach yoga.
Goa
is normally famous not only for its gorgeous beaches, but also for its
casinos and nightlife. Many people visit the area to experience various
festivals during the year, or just to party hard. However, there is much
more to Goa than just sunbathing on the beach and partying all night. There
are a number of excellent retreats on offer too, ideal for yoga,
spa and wellness breaks in India.
The
following are three recommended places to go in Goa, India this year for
the best yoga retreat, vegetarian and vegan cuisine, and so much more.
1. Yogamagic
Eco Retreat – Anjuna, Goa
Yogamagic
is “far from the madding crowd” of Goa and is one of the most peaceful
beach hideaways in the area. The retreat is an eco-villa, open all year
round, which offers pure tranquillity in the heart of nature. The daily
yoga classes are held in a shala (Sanskrit for yoga school), with views
over the rice paddy fields and coconuts groves. Take your own personal
yoga journey, whatever your level of experience, including daily meditation,
gentle pranayama, vitality boosting yoga and cleansing kriyas.
Accommodation
is in luxurious, tented eco-lodges and beautiful boutique suites in the
house itself. Keeping in line with its eco-theme, the retreat offers the
best in organic vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan menus. There is also
a swimming pool with an island waterfall and lotus ponds to enjoy.
2. Purple
Valley Yoga Retreat – Assagaio, North Goa
This is
the placed to experience Ashtanga yoga courses while staying in some of
the most comfortable accommodation in Goa. Purple Valley Yoga Retreat is
set in a peaceful valley between Anjuna Beach on the Arabian Sea and the
small town of Mapusa. The retreat is nestled in landscaped and beautiful
tropical gardens. Throughout the property, there are communal areas for
yoga lessons and eating and quieter, more private spaces for meditation
or contemplation.
Head
through the tropical gardens to the shala, which is an amazing place, perfect
for deepening and exploring your own personal yoga practice while filled
with a peaceful energy.
All
meals are vegetarian and are enjoyed buffet-style on the open-air terrace
with other guests. Breakfast includes tropical fruits, along with home-made
bread and porridge, while dinner are a unique combination of Indian and
Western dishes, with all ingredients purchased daily from the local market.
Wherever possible, ingredients are organic. This is an ideal place for
a relaxing
yoga break in India.
Little
Cove Yoga Holiday Retreat – Cola, South Goa
This beach
front yoga resort nestles beneath the coconut palms on Cola Beach, South
Goa. This is one of the most popular yoga retreats of its kind in Goa and
is run by an Indian yogi with a diploma in Ashtanga Yoga, as well as Naturopathy.
Open between mid October and mid may, the retreat offers two yoga classes
per day, right on the beach front.
Guests
can also enjoy Ayurvedic massages on the property and can participate in
fun activities, such as watching the dolphins or going on a fishing trip.
All meals are organic and vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan-friendly. There
are also free cooking classes in which to participate, ready for cooking
healthy food back home.
Enjoy
a yoga, spa or massage retreat in Goa this year. You are sure to return
each year to set your mind, body and spirit at rest.
