2019-05-01_Yoga_Journal

(Ann) #1

64 YOGA JOURNAL


THIS PAGE: ALEXANDER GRABCHILEV/STOCKSY; OPPOSITE PAGE: WIZEMARK/STOCKSY


  1. 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



  1. 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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