. THE SACRED VALLEY, PERU
Traditionally, travellers here head straight to historic sanctuary Machu Picchu—but
culturally immersive retreats nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley offer a new draw
of their own. Splurge on a stay at Sol y Luna boutique hotel knowing a portion of the
hotel’s profi ts fund an adjacent school that provides education, art, and sports for the
valley’s youth—and take advantage of outdoor yoga classes. Travellers seeking a more
immersive experience should consider eco-retreat Willka T’ika, which incorporates
Andean traditions and Q’ero healers. Portions of retreat proceeds support childhood
education in remote villages. Organic gardening, sustainable living, and acts of
generosity are all woven into the fabric of Willka T’ika. For a more holistic experience
in Peru, consider volunteering at Eco Truly Park in Lima. Volunteers participate in
teaching yoga classes, organic gardening, and cooking.
. EL SALVADOR
In the early 1970s, El Salvador was a top
surf destination, but the civil war took a
heavy toll on residents and tourism. “Now,
you see hermanos lejanos [El Salvadorans
who moved to the United States and
Canada] and tourism returning,” says yoga
teacher Lindsay Gonzalez, who operates
Balancé Yoga Studio and wellness retreats
in the surf town El Tunco. An open-
air yoga shala catches the ocean breeze
from Balancé’s beachfront setting. “In El
Trunco, days revolve around the tides, the
wind, and the best surfi ng conditions,”
Gonzalez says. Now that it has a dedicated
yoga hub, this surf town just might be the
next Nosara. . GUATEMALA
Travellers looking to escape the growing
yogi crowds in Mexico have set their
sights on the emerging yoga scene in
Guatemala, where, in the Mayan village
of San Marcos la Laguna, the Yoga Forest
Conscious Living Retreat Centre is setting
the stage for responsible tourism, funding
community projects such as shoreline
restoration via reed planting and midwife
education. Drop in for a class or embark
on a personal or group retreat to study
Jnana, Ashtanga, Bhakti, and Karma
Yoga with their pros.22
Central
& South
America
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