The Corporate Yoga Tourist
Someone who works a high-stress, high-paying job will fit into this cat-
egory. They need a few days to separate from responsibilities (including
their cell phone!). They may go on retreat to re-acquaint with themselves,
prioritize life values, and re-assess their role in society, work, and family.
Often, they may seek a retreat with structure as well as free time to roam
and daydream.
If this person happens to be in a leadership position, they may even
inspire their company and/or team to include yoga and meditation pro-
gramming into their annual corporate meetings. There are a number of
scientifically proven benefits and advantages of a corporation offering
these practices to employees. These include improvements in physical
health and cognitive performance, enhancements in social connectedness
and leadership capacity, decreases in work-associated stress and anxiety,
better quality of communication and interpersonal relationships. Other
benefits are heightened strategic focus, increased productivity levels, and
emotional intelligence skills like empathy, agreeableness, and self-control.
Destinations include properties like the 1440 Multiversity in Northern
California, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, or La Quinta
Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, in the Palm Springs area where
they have special yoga and mindfulness programming for companies that
want to enhance their corporate meetings and provide additional resources
and lifestyle support for their employees and their families.
The Religious Yoga Tourist
Yoga and religion are classically different. Yoga is a spiritual practice
while religion is, well, a religious practice. The Religious Yoga Tour-
ist, however, is typically someone with religious fervor who wants to
empower their relationship with the Divine in a kind and loving way.
Humorously titled ‘Homo turisticus religiosus’ by Vukonic, Religious
Yoga Tourists have many avenues to explore and ways to worship de-
pending on the denomination.
Destinations include church groups heading to a remote location like
Questhaven Retreat Center outside Encinitas to meditate on Christ, a
Jewish group sharing Old Testament values in a modern context at a place
like Alpine Meadows in Angelus Oaks, Kriya Yoga devotees of all reli-
gions practicing at the non-denominational Self-Realization Fellowship
Hermitage & Gardens in Encinitas, or a Buddhist group doing mindful-
ness practices at a Dharma Center like Spirit Rock in Northern California.
The Ashram Yoga Tourist
The ashram-goer typically takes to heart the meaning of India’s tourism
advertising campaign, Incredible India. They may seek out longer experi-
ences or sign up for a yoga teaching certification as part of the retreat.
While some of these seekers travel alone, they may also connect with
other kindred spirits while on the road or even a group seeking transfor-
mation. This tourist often travels with a backpack, a trusty Lonely Planet
guidebook, and even a musical instrument. In addition, they are driven
by deeply profound and existential quest for liberation and soul freedom.
Destinations include the Sivananda Yoga Farm in Northern Califor-
nia, Mount Madonna in the Santa Cruz Mountains, SRF’s Lake Shrine
in Pacific Palisades, the Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania, the Omega
Institute in upstate New York, the Art of Living Retreat Center in North
Carolina, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshires, or the
Parmath Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India.
The Medical Yoga Tourist
Some travelers seek healing. This person is typically looking for a peace-
ful, tranquil, and supportive environment that will encourage healing
and recovery. This can include the Ayurvedic cleansing practice of pan-
chakarma. The Medical Yoga Tourist may be seeking relief from psycho-
logical or psychiatric challenges or traumas, treatment for autoimmune
diseases, integrative medicine for cancer, or even cosmetic surgery away
from home. In some situations, this traveler will choose a personally in-
spired retreat perhaps under the care of doctors and nurses. They may
incorporate yoga, breathing, and meditation techniques. The medical
treatments often take place in a hospital or a nearby rehabilitation or
yoga therapy facility.
Destinations include the Health and Longevity Institute at the Four
Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida,
Rancho La Puerta in Mexico, Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch
Beach Resort, The Jiva Grande Spa at Vivanta by Taj in Madikeri (In-
dia), Ananda in the Himalayas (India), or the Beverly Hills Waldorf As-
toria (which offers programming to heal in luxury after medical and
surgical procedures).Know Yourself
Ultimately, the type of experience you are seeking will depend on the type
of tourist you are. Gently investigate with awe and curiosity what your
motivations are for your retreat and you’ll likely find that you fit into one
of the categories above. Once you do figure it all out, you’ll be on your
path to finding some fun, serenity, and/or healing. Happy travels!Yoga is the Essence of Modern Wellness Travel
Yoga and meditation retreats have found their way into our global
culture as the modern version of Wellness Tourism. In 2017, over 80 million
people are expected to try or practice yoga in the US alone. Across
the globe, this number likely tops hundreds of millions. Millions more
(including about 12–15% of the U.S. population) are meditators, many
of whom practice regularly at home, in spiritual centers and churches/
temples, or on apps like iRest, Headspace, and Simple Habit.
Not surprisingly, industries like tourism, hospitality, and healthcare
are increasingly integrating these supportive lifestyle practices from yoga
and meditation into people’s stays. Yet, the main distinction between a
typical vacation and a retreat may be that the latter not only impacts you
and your inner world while you’re there, but provides you with a ‘vaca-
tion souvenir’ that will have an effect and express itself all the way down
to the level of your blood and genes long after you depart.
The popularity of these practices continues to grow as people immerse
themselves in the profoundly transformational cultures on yoga and medi-
tation retreats. An increasing number of options are available for any type
of wellness travel experience. Whatever type of traveler you are, the retreat
you choose will offer you something unique, powerful, and meaningful.
Focusing your travel on your heart, spirit, and health can have long
lasting effects. This is where the magic of the “meditation effect” is expe-
rienced. Ultimately, a yoga and meditation retreat isn’t just about the va-
cation experience; the tools you learn and the shifts you make help sup-
port you to become the best version of yourself in your day-to-day life.Dr. Eden Goldman, D.C., C-IAYT, E-RYT500, is Director of Yoga and Mindful-
ness at La Quinta Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, where they host five-star
teacher and studio led retreats, along with corporate retreats, and feature an
enchanting desert and mountain backdrop, an Ayurvedic-inspired vegetarian menu,
multiple practice spaces with Manduka mats and props, 41 swimmable pools for
guests, and one of the newest installations in Amanda Giacomini’s 10,000 Buddhas
street art series. Dr. Goldman is also Director of The Yoga and the Healing Sci-
ences at Loyola Marymount University Extension and co-author of Yoga Therapy
and Integrative Medicine: Where Ancient Sciences Meets Modern Medicine.“Meditation retreats are moderately to largely effective in reducing depression,
anxiety, stress and in ameliorating the quality of life of participants.”