Top Yoga Retreats for Beginners
March 6, 2022
The go-to resource for planning your yoga retreats & holidays. Find all you need to know about destinations and take your practice to the next level.
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Being new to yoga can sometimes be intimidating. Especially when you look around the studio and find out that everybody seems to be performing the poses smoothly, except you!
Don’t fret! That’s totally normal. The good news is that no matter if you’re a newbie or an expert to the practice, you still get all the benefits from it. But wouldn’t it be nice to improve your skills in leaps and bounds?
There’s a perfect way to do so. On a yoga retreat, you’ll completely immerse yourself in all aspects of yoga for a few days, understand the proper alignment, adopt a healthier diet, and learn the philosophy that will help you kickstart a new lifestyle.
Here, you can find 5 of the best yoga retreats for beginners around the world.
Deep relaxation and transformation in India
Image credit: Yoga Vidya Mandiram
- Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
- Price: from US$99
- City: Rishikesh
India is known for having a unique mystical atmosphere and some of the greatest gurus and yoga instructors in the world. Anyone who wants to enter the world of yoga should have it on their bucket list.
During this retreat, you’ll feel as relaxed as you can be. Through a variety of traditional and modern practices, like meditation, pranayama, Yoga Nidra, Vinyasa Yoga, Hatha Yoga and other relaxation techniques, all the stress will go away.
There are daily yoga sessions and yoga philosophy classes that will help you understand the foundations of the practice. Moreover, you’ll get the opportunity to change your diet with daily delicious vegetarian meals and healthy snacks.
To add a bit of adventure to the experience, you’ll enjoy one guided excursion to the Himalaya’s sacred temples and plenty of time to explore the holy town of Rishikesh, aka the yoga capital of the world.
Want to know what are the differences between a yoga holiday and a yoga retreat? Check this post.
Re-connect with your inner being in Thailand
Image credit: Wonderland Healing Center
- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
- Price: from US$464
- City: Ko Pha Ngan
Thailand is the place where majestic Buddhist temples, charming villages, wild nature, pristine beaches and friendly people perfectly merge. There’s also a spiritual feeling everywhere you go, making it easier for people to take the plunge into yoga.
With yoga and meditation sessions every day, this retreat has everything set to let you step into yoga at your own pace. The warm weather and humidity (that make you sweat a lot) will allow your body to get rid of all toxins. And combined with the vegan meals, refreshing juices and coconut water, you’ll experience a total body restoration.
During your free time, you can walk in the beautiful gardens and contemplate the stunning mountain views, go to the swimming pool, use the herbal steam sauna or visit the treatment areas. You can also complement your experience by joining an optional extra activity such as getting a massage, experience mountain walking, trying Pilates or Reiki.
A wellness and cultural experience in Spain
Image credit: Yoga Weeks Barcelona
- Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
- Price: from US$513
- City: Barcelona
Located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is considered by many as the cultural capital of Spain. Due to its quaint streets, delicious food and the remarkable work of Gaudi printed all over the place, this city is a must for any traveler.
When it comes to yogis, there are amazing options for a holiday. Such as this retreat hosted in a beautifully renovated house right in the heart of the city where, unlike during a class in your local studio, you’ll have plenty of time and guidance to go beyond the asana practice.
With the help of worldwide acclaimed teachers, you’ll hit the ground running and learn yoga in a more holistic way. The retreat includes tasty vegetarian food and the chance to participate in a full moon special session with live music.
Are you still hesitant about going on a yoga vacation? Here’s all you need to know about going on a yoga retreat as a beginner.
Yoga and surf holiday in Tamraght
Image credit: Surf Star Morocco
- Duration: 2 days / 1 night
- Price: from US$109
- City: Tamraght
If you don’t have more than a couple of days to escape the routine and go on a yoga holiday, worry not! As the Moroccan proverb says: “little and lasting is better than much and passing.” A weekend of yoga and surf in Morocco can give you all the benefits of a regular yoga retreat somewhere else.
Whether you’re new to surf, a total master, or something in between, the instructors adapt to your skills! The surfing lessons on this retreat are specially designed for each level (beginner, intermediate and advanced). During these two days, you’ll have the great opportunity to put into practice everything that yoga has taught you on the mat, but in an uncontrollable environment in the ocean.
And to keep improving your yoga practice, you’ll have several sessions of Vinyasa flow sequences, Hatha Yoga and dynamic Ashtanga during the weekend.
Private Surf and Yoga Holiday in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
- Duration: 6days / 5 nights
- Price: from US$1,164
- City: Puerto Escondido
Mexico is a beautiful and colorful country located in North America, famous for having exceptional food, a vast culture, vibrant music, ancient pyramids, cheerful people, as well as some of the most popular beaches around the world.
Puerto Escondido is a good example of such a beach, which is a favorite holiday destination and a popular spot for yoga and surf retreats alike. Just by being in this fabulous place you’ll have the chance to truly unplug from your daily routine and get to know people who have also fallen in love with yoga.
How does this day sound?
Practice yoga up to three times daily, join a private yoga class, enjoy a nourishing and delicious vegan menu two times per day, stay in accommodation with an ocean-view terrace, partake in three surf lessons, and a private meditation class.
*All prices are valid at the time of publication and are not guaranteed. They are subject to change without notice.
Want to explore the Old Continent on a yoga vacation? There are tons of yoga retreats for beginners in Europe!