5 Affordable yoga retreats

Feb 19, 2013 4:21 AM by Tracy E. Hopkins

Posted in Health & Wellness / Stress

Yoga
bliss on
a budget

Yoga classes have become a staple at most luxury spas and hotels. But if you’re in the mood for a less glamorous and more mindful yoga practice experience, these rustic and reflective retreats certainly fit the bill.

East Coast retreats

Located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts on the well-manicured grounds of a former Jesuit seminary, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health attracts novice yogis and instructors alike and offers respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. On a Kripalu R&R retreat — which includes a private or shared room and three all-natural buffet-style meals per day (breakfast is silent) — guests can participate in several yoga and movement classes a day, attend wellness workshops and get healing arts treatments for an additional fee. Midweek rates start at $166 per person, per night (two-night minimum).

“Deepen your experience. Live your practice,” is The Garden’s motto, and the 18th-century Hudson Valley garden villa in upstate New York is an idyllic setting for a weekend yoga retreat. Through a balance of yoga, nutrition and a simple, natural setting, guests can achieve sattva — a Sanskrit word describing a state of harmony, balance, joy and intelligence that radiates from the inside out. Weekend retreats include yoga workshops, nutrition and cooking classes, meals and lodging. Room rates start at $425 per person, based on double occupancy.

West Coast retreat

Join YogaWorks for a weekend escape to the stunning Ojai Valley on a 52-acre eco-sanctuary. This beautiful private property features koi ponds, a reverse-osmosis swimming pool and miles of hiking trails. Accommodations include a Craftsman home and charming rustic dwellings on the property. Guests enjoy daily yoga classes fit for all levels, including flow, meditation, Pranayama and restoratives. A renowned chef prepares delicious gourmet meals with vegetarian options, and there's plenty of free time for rest and rejuvenation. Rates start at $425 per person and include lodging, classes, meals and wine tasting.

Southwest retreat

Downward dog deep in the heart of east Texas at Retreat in the Pines, a pristine pine cabin tucked away on a quiet country road just outside Mineola — a two-hour drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and four hours from Austin and Houston. At the Pines’ Women’s Yoga Nurture Retreat, women from all walks of life enjoy shared accommodations, a beautiful yoga studio, a meditation deck and yoga programs for all levels. Rates are $319 per person for the all-inclusive weekend retreat.

Destination retreat

Practice in paradise at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Located just across the bay from Nassau, the retreat’s lodging ranges from modest cabins to beachfront suites surrounded by the natural beauty of a tropical garden, crystal-clear water and pure white sands. The healthy getaway includes morning and afternoon yoga classes, morning and evening meditation workshops, and two buffet-style lacto-vegetarian meals daily. Families with children are welcome. Room rates start at $73 per night for up to six nights. If you opt not to stay at the ashram, the day visitor rate is $45 per day.

More on health and fitness

Spring into fitness at Red Mountain Resort
Go on a yoga retreat to recharge your spiritual batteries
Fresh fitness wear to rev up your workouts

Tags: fitness spa destinations spring spectacular issue stress travel deals weekend getaways yoga

The opinions expressed in this article are of the author and the author alone. They do not reflect the opinions of SheKnows, LLC or any of its affiliates and they have not been reviewed by an expert in a related field or any member of the SheKnows editorial staff for accuracy, balance or objectivity. Content and other information presented on the Site are not a substitute for professional advice, counseling, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical or mental health advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on SheKnows. SheKnows does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.