64 YOGA JOURNAL
THIS PAGE: ALEXANDER GRABCHILEV/STOCKSY; OPPOSITE PAGE: WIZEMARK/STOCKSY- BHUTAN SPIRIT
SANCTUARY, BHUTAN
Enjoy daily yoga and acupuncture sessions
at this all-inclusive retreat center in Paro,
Bhutan—a historic valley town surrounded
by sacred Buddhist sites. Each room has
views of the Eutok Samdrupcholing goenpa
monastery, where resident monks welcome
guests for morning meditation. Bhutan is
known for its medicinal herbs, and guests
are encouraged to join spa therapists on
foraging excursions in nearby hillsides.
ASIA
- INDIA
Rishikesh, nestled along the sacred Ganges River in northern India, is a preferred jumping-off
point for many teachers and travelers making the pilgrimage to the birthplace of yoga. Hindus
believe that a saint came to the river to offer penance and was forgiven by the god Vishnu. The
spiritual town has an ashram for every sensibility, from super-traditional (and affordable) Phool
Chatti to pricey Ananda, a luxe resort known for its Ayurvedic treatments. Each March, the
city’s largest ashram, Parmarth Niketan, plays host to some of India’s most respected spiritual
leaders (Pujya Swami Ramdevji and Acharya Balkrishna) during the week-long, world-famous
annual International Yoga Festival. Meanwhile, the Yoga Institute in Santacruz, Mumbai, is the
oldest organized yoga center in the world. The nonprofit recently celebrated its 100th birthday,
and has certified more than 50,000 teachers in the past century. Today, roughly 2,000 people
visit the institute daily for training, wellness services, and to pay homage to the historic site. (For
a more comprehensive guide to yoga travel in India, turn to page 82)
28. BALI
While Bali is full of celebrated sites and
crawling with soul-seekers, Ayurvedic
teacher Sahara Rose prefers the lesser-known
OmUnityBali, tucked away from tourist
traffic in the northern village of Sudaji.
At this super-sustainable eco-homestay
founded by Indonesian yogi Zanzan, healing
journeys and yoga packages incorporate local
experiences such as temple ceremonies and
visits to artisan workshops. In the jungles of
Ubud, musician Michael Franti invites guest
performers to enliven the asana practices
at his Soulshine Bali Hotel & Yoga Retreat
Oasis. Of course, the island’s biggest party
happens during BaliSpirit Festival, a week-
long celebration that draws big names like
Shiva Rea and Tymi Howard, plus local
Indonesian presenters such as Aikikdo, Made
Janur, and musician Krisna Floop.
29. DWARIKA’S RESORT, NEPAL
If replenishment is what you’re after, then
Dwarika’s Resort—tucked into the hillside
just 30 miles from the Tibetan border—
should top your short list. After
a consultation with an Ayurvedic health
care provider, you will be prescribed
soothing appointments on your custom
itinerary: time in the respiratory-cleansing
salt house, a visit with the retreat’s resident
naturopath, a walk through the meditation
maze, sessions in sound- and color-therapy
chambers, and stargazing with an astrology
master. Yoga classes offer the ultimate
view—distant snow-capped mountains of
the Himalayan range.
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