by Charu Suri
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Thu January 19, 2017
Photo courtesy of The Aleenta Resort
With wellness becoming a super travel trend in 2017, meditation retreats are a growing niche simply because they offer a way for visitors to truly unplug and get away from the daily grind. Here are some truly immersive ones to put on your calendar for this year.
The Chopra Center, Carlsbad, California
The Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, world headquarters for The Chopra Center, has a few "Weekend Within" getaways curated and led by Dr. Chopra himself. The retreat's primary goal is to take guests on a mind journey through primordial sound meditation, the sound technique that helps create clarity of purpose. A Women's Retreat will be offered for the first time from May 26-28 ($1,695 for single occupancy).
The Arrigo Programme, Rajasthan, India
This ten-day retreat designed specifically for women in takes place in an elegant 17th-century palace hotel at Raas Devigarh (which, translated, means "the home of the Goddess") in Rajasthan, India. It includes morning workshops with the creator, Fiona Arrigo, on feminine wisdom, and daily yoga classes and nightly spa treatments as well as visits to three sacred sites. Excursions to Udaipur are included; optional extras include Vedic astrology.
The BodyHoliday, St. Lucia
This all-inclusive property was founded on the key pillars of relaxation, restorative beauty and a nourishing diet. Retreats are bespoke and include daily spa treatments like 50-minute massages, body wraps, a Thalasso therapy and a facial. If the sun feels particularly strong for your psyche, opt for an Aloe Yoghurt body wrap, or even a Far Infrared therapy that improves blood circulation and improves the immune system. As a way to truly be on top of the world, take a yoga class in the property's Tree House Spin Studio.
ITC Grand Bharat, Andhra Pradesh, India
Lit like a jewel and set at the foothills of the Aravlis mountains is this hotel which has a series of "Eat-Well Detox Holidays" which range from one night to 14-day experiences, starting at $430. The Ayurvedic Detox Wellness retreat has three daily Swasthya cuisine meals, a consultation with a doctor, personalized yoga, daily use of hydrotherapy and a dosha-balancing diet. There are also unique and highly-personalized treatment sessions like the Kaya Kalp detox.
Mum and Bub Rescue Yoga and Meditation Retreat, Ubud, Bali
"To be completely present is the greatest gift for you and the baby" reads the advertorial for this Nurture by Nature retreat, which creates a safe haven at the Maya Resort in Ubud for mothers and their kids. Guests stay in a private thatched villa with views of their own mirror-like infinity pool, and get twice-daily Vinyasa yoga classes, a massage, and daily meditation sessions. Who said you can't teach your four-month-old to sit still?
Le Guanahani, St. Barths
This upscale island has a "Meditate ON... Sunshine at Le Guanahani" retreat from March 2-5 led by David Romanelli who made his mark creating yoga, chocolate and wine retreats for foodies. This sensory-friendly weekend retreat helps you slow down and really focus on the nature of food and elemental magic like the warm ocean breeze. There are yoga and wine sessions as well as guided meditation.
The Aleenta Resort, Phuket, Thailand
At the Aleenta Phuket resort and spa in the Phang-Nga in southern Thailand, the location which borders the Andaman Sea with its limestone rock-like islets, is especially calming. The Ayurah Wellness Center hosts a seven-night Spirit Yoga retreat that is based on the pillars of weight optimization, anti-aging, mind balance and detoxification and will set you back roughly $1,500 per person, which is a steal.
Chill'Asana, Sayulita, Mexico
In the lush jungle of Mexico, you can experience a Chill'Asana, a week-long retreat that takes people on a journey of yoga, martial arts, movement and adventure that includes groundwork movement, twice-daily yoga classes and social-building activities like a closing night bonfire. Add-on optional activities like horseback riding and snorkeling are available.
COMO Shambala, Perth, Western Australia
This wellness retreat at the COMO Hotel in the Southern Hemisphere with Kris Abbey, who was instrumental in rallying the Australian wellness program, takes four days and involves a breakfast each morning, two wellness workshops, yoga each morning with resident instructor Stephanie Johnson and dinners. Rates from $2,000.
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary, Koh Samui, Thailand
At the Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa in the lush landscape of southern Koh Samui, founded by John and Karina Stewart to bring together diverse traditions of healing and culture in a nurturing environment. The focus of these retreats include Stress & Burnout, Detoxification & Rejuvenation, and Sleep Enhancement.
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