Top 10 Yoga & Spiritual Retreats in the U.S.
Each new year brings with it a wealth of opportunities to try new things, meet new people, and make new memories, and this year is no exception. Naturally, as yogis, our 2020 bucket lists are chock-full of exciting ideas for expanding our practice and exploring the abundance and diversity that the world of yoga has to offer. Increasingly common across the United States and beyond, yoga and spiritual retreats are a wonderful way to elevate your practice and your sense of serenity by immersing yourself in a scenic setting alongside a group of individuals whose wellness goals are likely similar to your own.
Although it may be easier (and certainly less expensive) to keep yourself and your mat firmly planted in your hometown, the chance to combine yoga with travel and a tranquil new environment—not to mention award-winning teachers, mentors, and wellness experts—represents a rich and potentially transformative experience that every serious yogi deserves to have at least once in their lifetime. Whether you’re ready to pack your bags and hit the next yoga retreat on the calendar or it’s something you’d love to try in the future (after a little more planning and saving, perhaps), allow this comprehensive guide to the top 10 yoga and spiritual retreats in the U.S.A. to inspire your next getaway and open your mind to new possibilities for travel, togetherness, and spiritual awakening in 2020. As for packing, we’ve got you covered: our all-new Traveler Pant in Black is the perfect pair of versatile yoga bottoms to wear on your way, then keep wearing once you get there. (Trust us—once you try them, you won’t want to take these beauties off).
1. Sewall House Yoga Retreat - Island Falls, Maine
Located in Island Falls, Maine, this fabulous off-the-grid destination has been promoting personal interconnection through technological disconnection ever since it was first established in 1997. Surrounded by lush, green forests and crisp, clear lakes, the breathtaking scenery is the perfect backdrop for Sewall House’s diverse array of restorative programming. Guests can choose from a variety of yoga classes in various styles including Kundalini yoga, restorative yoga, hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga, and plenty more, including paddleboard yoga when the weather allows. Sewall House also offers meditation classes, professional massage therapy, and full guest access to saunas. Combined with a plethora of weekend excursions for hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and more, it’s not hard to understand why the Sewall House Yoga Retreat has been getting rave reviews from its guests for more than 20 years.
2. Feathered Pipe Ranch - Helena, Montana
A rustic getaway nestled in the peaks of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Feathered Pipe Ranch was founded in 1975 and has been committed ever since to providing its guests with a wide range of opportunities for mind-body rejuvenation. Lose yourself in the pristine setting of Big Sky Montana as you take part in specialized yoga workshops, find your inner peace during guided meditation and mindfulness courses, and explore the surrounding wilderness through Feathered Pipe Ranch’s shamanism and self-empowerment programs. The Traveler Pant in Black is guaranteed to become your new best friend here, allowing you to seamlessly transition from outdoor exploration to your afternoon yoga class with no outfit change necessary. Plus, Feathered Pipe Ranch gives back to the community through a variety of seva projects including The Veterans Yoga Project and Tibetan Children’s Education Foundation, meaning this is a retreat to which you can feel good about treating yourself.
3. Sedona Mago Retreat Center - Sedona, Arizona
Peacefully surrender yourself to the natural beauty of the southwestern United States at the Sedona Mago Retreat Center, an astounding desert hideout in Arizona located 4,500 feet above sea level. Rooted in the teachings of Taoism, life at the Retreat Center integrates the principles of harmonious living and peacefulness with yoga, self-care, and countless amenities designed to emphasize the sacred mind-body connection, including healing vortexes, outdoor pools, jacuzzis, and scenic meditation spaces. The Sedona Mago Retreat Center is an especially tempting getaway for those with special dietary needs, as accommodations include three meals a day with vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.
4. The Pearl Laguna - Laguna Beach, California
Keep heading west and eventually, you’ll arrive at The Pearl Laguna, an opulent health and wellness sanctuary aptly situated in Laguna Beach, California. In case the heart-shaped outdoor jacuzzi isn’t enough to convince you to visit (!), The Pearl Laguna boasts a full regimen of wellness programs for guests that combines daily yoga classes with hiking, meditation, and a fresh-served menu of organic, gluten-free meals stocked full of seasonal fruits and vegetables. The Pearl Laguna also offers a full-service spa complete with therapeutic massage sessions and a shady atrium for guests to read, relax, and enjoy ocean views from. What are you waiting for? Grab your Traveler Pants, pack up your yoga bras, and prepare to get pampered at The Pearl.
5. Kripalu - Stockbridge, Massachussetts
Welcome to North America’s largest and arguably most renowned yoga retreat and educational center, a ridiculously relaxing respite tucked into the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. From nonstop yoga classes to immersive outdoor programs to massages to energy work to Ancient Ayurvedic health and nutrition treatments, Kripalu truly has it all. Enjoy the flexibility of many different retreat options varying in length and experience level, from a weeklong R&R retreat to more intensive yoga workshops that typically take place on the weekends. No matter what your niche is, your time at Kripalu is guaranteed to transform you into a stronger, more serene version of yourself.
6. Shambhala Mountain Center - Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
If there was ever a time to rock the all-new Traveler Pants in Black, this is it. Located in a rolling landscape of meadows and pine forests in northern Colorado, Shambhala Mountain Center was established in 1971 and offers guests a diverse selection of meditation and movement classes, from yoga to more general bodywork classes that focus on achieving alignment and rhythmic breath. Rooted in the Buddhist tradition, one unique feature of Shambhala Mountain Center is The Great Stupa, a national peace monument surrounded by botanical gardens and hiking trails. Start your day with a meditation workshop followed by a healthy meal with stunning views of The Great Stupa, then spend your afternoon exploring Colorado’s natural beauty in the ultra-soft comfort of your Traveler Pants. This is a great outdoors getaway you do not want to miss out on.
7. The Esalen Institute - Big Sur, California
A coastal gem situated in Big Sur, California, The Esalen Institute is famous for its hot springs and its truly wide selection of programs, with over 200 workshops ranging in topics from yoga to healing arts to meditation available to guests year-round. Described by The Travel Channel as “a holistic retreat, spiritual community, and education center” all-in-one, The Esalen Institute is credited as an influential contributor to the Human Potential Movement of the 1960s. It is also known for its dual commitments to physical and intellectual growth, providing experiential classes in dance, singing, and other lesser-known art forms in addition to its fitness programs.
8. The Omega Institute - Rhinebeck, New York
Put on your Traveler Pants and put your feet up in New York’s picturesque Hudson Valley region at The Omega Institute, a world-famous holistic retreat destination that brings together fitness gurus and spiritual mentors from all over the world. You’ll discover new opportunities for both physical and mental growth as you enjoy The Omega Institute’s top-tier yoga and rejuvenation services, plus exclusive wellness treatments that draw on the principles of Asian body therapy to deliver incredible results. If you’re looking to get your zen on in picture-perfect circumstances, visit The Omega Institute during the fall to experience the region’s multi-colored foliage at its best.
9. The Standard Spa - Miami Beach, Florida
Don’t let the name fool you—there’s nothing standard about this private waterfront getaway in Miami Beach, Florida. Fully equipped with an international array of amenities that include a Roman waterfall hot tub, a Finnish sauna, and a Turkish-style humam, The Standard Spa specializes in water treatments that are designed to unify the mind, body, and spirit of those lucky enough to set foot in this magnificent Miami sanctuary. Oh, and they also offer yoga workshops, of course.
10. Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat - Detroit, Oregon
For those interested in a truly unique experience that marries movement, mindfulness, and meditation with rustic 1930s-style lodging, Breitenbush Hot Springs located in the Oregon Cascades might just be the retreat for you. Situated in a pastoral setting complete with antique log cabins that have been refurbished with geothermal heat, Breitenbush Hot Springs offers both day trips and longer retreats characterized by a holistic combination of yoga workshops, healthy eating, massage therapy, meditation classes, and time in nature. If you’re feeling adventurous and want the chance to reflect in a bucolic environment blessed with nearby natural wonders, consider adding a trip to Breitenbush Hot Springs to your 2020 to-do list.
If you liked this blog, check out our other blogs like: "The Ultimate Guide: What to Pack for a Yoga Retreat", "Wildest Dreams: Find Your Perfect Retreat", "Resources for Your Well-Being", and " Resources to Nurture your Spirituality."
