Amidst the city buzz and demands of daily life, a spiritual retreat with your sense of self the only focus can feel miraculous. These havens of solitude await around the globe – you just need to choose your favourite.
Amidst the city buzz and demands of daily life, a spiritual retreat with your sense of self the only focus can feel miraculous. These havens of solitude await around the globe – you just need to choose your favourite.
1 Shreyas Yoga Retreat, India
Spend your days in stillness at the luxurious Shreyas Yoga Retreat in south India, where you’ll embrace the art of mindfulness and the authentic spiritual tradition of yoga. Silence here is about more than just the absence of speech, but about quieting mental activity and a journey of self-discovery. The retreats take place within 25 acres of lush greenery where you’ll delight in impeccable five-star amenities, meditation, yoga, trataka (candle meditation), bespoke wellness evaluations and organic vegetarian cuisine sourced from the resort’s own garden. Combined with restorative Ayurvedic treatments, you’ll leave feeling emotionally and physically renewed. www.shreyasretreat.com
2 Vilalara Longevity Thalassa & Medical Spa, Portugal
The idyllic retreats at Vilalara are worth every one of their five stars. The Longevity Holistic Rebalance programme enriches a sense of vitality that’s a result of attention to detail and a holistic approach. Revel in award-winning spa programmes in one of the world’s best thalassotherapy centres, where their hands-on techniques and medical spa includes microphysiotherapy to promote self-healing and good health, and gentle craniosacral therapy to ease tension. Learn how to incorporate mindfulness into everyday life, and gain personal insight through energetic healing sessions to sustain your new spiritual balance. www.vilalararesort.com
3 Mii amo, Arizona
Nestled among the remarkable red rocks of Sedona, the Mii amo resort boasts incredible natural scenery. But it’s not just about the exterior. Inside awaits a warmhued haven that nurtures your intentions and guides you down a path of personal growth. The seven-night Spiritual Exploration retreat is customisable in every way. Your dedicated spa coordinator will get in touch prior to your arrival to establish which native American-inspired therapies and glorious spa treatments best suit your goals. This week may see you up a mountain, stretching under the sun, learning about organic gardening, attending lectures and workshops, or simply relaxing and reconnecting with yourself. www.miiamo.com
4 Maya Tulum Resort, Mexico
Make the journey to Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula where Mayan ruins overlook the Caribbean Sea, and discover a premier resort that’s home to a full calendar of destination retreats spanning empowerment, yoga, meditation and renewal. The Mayans were known for their spirituality and healing therapies, a notion that Maya Tulum has embraced. Its spa menu is rooted in ancient inspiration, with elegant thatched cabanas part of the decor. Even without the subtle flow of energy that lingers in the air and warm satisfaction of the sand beneath your feet, there are few better places to practise yoga than its beautiful halls, where open sides offer views of the private paradise beyond, and soothing ocean waves are your soundtrack. www.mayatulum.com
5 Shanti-Som Holistic & Wellbeing Retreat, Spain
Secluded Shanti-Som Holistic & Wellbeing Retreat has peace and contentment at the top of the agenda, made easier by its setting against one of Europe’s most astounding mountainous backdrops, Sierra de las Nieves of Andalucia. Here, your week of self-nourishment will help you to detox, regain energy and let go of negativity as meditative practices and age-old therapies from the East and West work together to gratify your senses and counterbalance daily stress. www.shantisom.com
6 The Farm at San Benito, the Philippines
Surrendering to a divine awakening can feel near impossible in the bustle of modern life. Take part in a retreat at The Farm however, and this will be your focus for up to 21 nights. The Mind & Body Restoration programme teaches guests to harbour a sense of peace through meditation, qigong, tai chi and yoga. Following an alkaline diet shown to boost the immune system and restore normal sleeping patterns, its holistic approach helps you discover your spiritual centre, and combines integrated medical treatments such as reiki, acupuncture and Harmonising Flow sessions. Not to be missed on the Healing Sanctuary Spa menu are the Chlorophyll Body Wrap and two-hour Hilot Haplos; a traditional Filipino massage preceded by an indulgent cocoa body scrub and coconut milk bath. www.thefarmatsanbenito.com
7 Shambhala Mountain Center, Colorado
The Shambhala Mountain Center is a spiritual setting like no other. It spans an awe-inspiring 600 acres across a valley in the Rocky Mountains where botanical gardens, airy meditation halls, a bird sanctuary and traditional Buddhist shrine of the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya make it the perfect place to practise Buddhist meditation. Choose from a weekend, week or longer stay, and from a selection of specialised workshops for painters and writers, as well as active pastimes such as hiking and canoeing. Visit in the summer to enjoy the endless green landscape or in the winter for an unforgettable experience amidst snowcapped mountains. www.shambhalamountain.org
8 Absolute Sanctuary, Thailand
Award-winning wellness resort Absolute Sanctuary is the embodiment of luxury, and host of a 30-day Lifestyle Change retreat. Rediscover your centre and connect with your spiritual self through its three-step programme, which begins with a cleansing week of reflection, fasting and detoxification. The ‘transform’ stage comes next with a strong emphasis on bridging the mind-body connection. You’ll learn healthy habits and embrace mindfulness through movement. The final week is about celestial exploration and celebration. By letting go of negativity, you’ll enter this phase feeling empowered and positively charged. Visit the temple, experience a monk blessing and continue fitness, mindfulness and lifestyle coaching sessions until the final day when you’ll receive guidance plans to take home. www.absolutesanctuary.com
9 Navutu Dreams Wellness Retreat, Cambodia
Returning your mind and body to a healthy, renewed state is at the heart of Cambodian detox programme Navutu Dreams. Breath work, yoga, crystal bowl sound healing and health consultations founded on traditional Chinese medicine are just some of the techniques used to help restore your most tranquil self. It aims to provide a serene environment in which guests can reset and recharge. The Siem Reap sanctuary features a fully serviced tropical spa, manicured gardens, fine dining, an inviting lagoon pool and eco-chic accommodation featuring hand-carved Cambodian art. www.navutudreams.com
10 WildFitness, various locations
A transformative fitness retreat designed to bring energy and balance could provide the much-needed escape you’ve been looking for. Taking a dynamic approach to wellness in locations from Crete to Zanzibar, WildFitness holds a three-pillared ethos at their core: natural movements and challenges that respect your body and its rhythms, a nourishing diet and recuperating with rest and relaxation. To tick each box, mindfulness and nutrition workshops are interspersed with active recovery and soothing massages and therapies. Connect with nature through training and skill sessions like climbing, hiking, boxing and swimming. New for 2017 are Urban Retreats in Barcelona, London and Berlin that aim to bring authentic calm to metropolitan life. www.wildfitness.com
