Dying to escape the Christmas frenzy with some chilled-out yoga, either home or away? We've rounded up this year's best festive-season yoga holidays.
Jungle Yoga, Khao Sok Lake, Thailand
International yoga teacher Simon Low is leading a retreat from January 11-21, set on the edges of Kao Sok Lake in Thailand. Guests stay in a floating bamboo village community, set up as a spectacular yoga venue. There are separate huts with interconnecting bamboo walkways and a floating bamboo yoga shala. As well as two yoga classes a day, adventure activities abound.
£795 inclusive for ten days, excluding flights. www.simonlow.com
Lotus Yoga Retreat, Goa
From January 12-19, Dina Cohen is leading a yoga and meditation retreat on the beach at Patnem, South Goa. A beach-front yoga deck backs onto patnem beach, close to the resort of Palolem. There is twice daily yoga, and accomodation is in shared twin-bedded beach cabins.
£350, including one main meal a day, but excluding flights. www.dynamicflowyoga.com
Yoga and Healing New Year Retreat
Tabitha Dean is holding an intensive two night yoga retreat over New Year in a restored 18th century mansion set in beautiful Dorset countryside. While the focus of the retreat is on kundalini & hatha yoga, guests will also practice pranayama, kriyas with mudras, chakra balancing, meditation and personal development. Also on the agenda will be organic vegetarian food and large, comfortable room and log fires.
£250 per person, including accommodation, all meals, all activities. www.tabithadeanyoga.co.uk
Red Sea Paradise, Egypt
This eight-day yoga holiday, beginning on December 28, takes place on Dahab, on the Red Sea coast. Daily yoga will be mixed with trips to the Biblical Mount Sinai, camping in the desert, scuba diving, camel trekking or adventuring intot he Ssinai. Highlights include yoga in the desert and on top of Mount Sanai.
From £325, excluding flights. www.yogatravel.co.uk
GoAhead, Goa
Taking place from December 20 to January 3rd, this beach-side retreat, run by Quantum Yoga founder Lara Bauman, includes daily meditation and pranayama, group and individual yoga classes, and plenty of opportunities to seek out ayurveda treatments. The venue, Bhakti Kutir, is built on an enclave near Bolomb beach, just south of Palolem. The yoga is based on the dynamic Quantum Method.
From £800 per person, excluding airfare. www.larayoga.com
Ayyildiz Apartment, Datca, Turkey
Set in a small garden of fruit and pine trees this large, two bedroom apartment is a peaceful haven. Yoga equipment for up to six people is available; classes will begin in 2009. Diving and fishing trips can be arranged as a different way to explore this beautiful location.
Sleeps up to seven guests from £195 per week. www.holidaylettings.co.uk/25606
Skyros, Thailand
Christmas or New Year holidays with retreat pioneer Skyros are still available in Thailand. The setting is Aiyapura Resort and Spa on the island of Koh Chang - part of a National Park, 300km south east of Bangkok. There is plenty of yoga, plus optional extras such as elephant trekking and Thai boxing. Most people travel as solo and some single accommodation is available as an upgrade.
http://skyros.com/thailand.htm
Surya Yoga and Ayurveda
If you love yoga and ayurveda but aren't so keen on trekking to India to find it, Surya Yoga could be the answer. Set on the south west coast of Turkey, in the small village of Datcha, the programme starts with a dosha diagnosis and includes morning and afternoon yoga, fully body ayurvedic massage, and consultation. You will be housed in a stone built house.
£450 inclusive, apart from lunch and flights. Www.suryaturkey.com
Kundalini New Year Yoga Retreat , Oxonhoath
Celebrate the New Year alcohol-free at Kent retreat centre Oxonhoath with a Kundalini Yoga Retreat. There will be vegetarian food with the option of raw food, a full programme of yoga and meditation as well as some dance and we will have a celebration on New Years Eve to bring in the New Year. Previous experience of Kundalini not essential. Some treatments and one-to-one sessions such as reflexology and shiatsu will be available.
Price from £270. www.newyearretreat.org.uk
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
A stone's throw from Venice, and home to the city's largest spa, Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is running a new 'wellness' package with private, alfresco yoga lesssons on Venice' only roftop swimming pool terrace. Afterwards, guests can tuck into a lunch at the hotel restaurant and bar, where the menu has been crafted by Venetiani chef Franco Luise.
365 Euros a room, per night, based on two sharing, and including a yoga lesson, spa treatments and accommodation. www.molinostuckyhilton.com
Click here to check out our 2009/2010 retreats round up.
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