Sacred Ceremonies and Chanting Honor Tradition, Spiritual Healing, and Gratitude at Maui’s Celebration of the Arts

A line of people make their way to Kapalua’s DT Fleming Beach in the pre-dawn darkness. Despite the silence, there’s a heightened sense of excitement in the air. For some, it’s the first time they’re about to embark on this venture. For others, like me, they’ve experienced the upcoming ritual in the past and have been longing to relive it again.

Soon, two cultural practitioners motion for the growing crowd to circle up and draw closer. Instructions are parlayed: Enter the ocean with your heart open for cleansing out the old and welcoming in the new. Think of your ‘ohana, or family, meditate on those things for which you’re grateful, and welcome in new directions and changes.

Some of the throng pushes past the break, wading in to where the surf is hitting near their sternums. Others dive through waves, seeking out their just-right spot. I’m with those at the edge of the water, digging my heels into the sand so the pull of the surf doesn’t buckle my injured knees. Oh, how I long to be out in the “deep end.” My thoughts of mahalo, gratitude, begin right here – Mahalo for bringing me back to my beloved Maui.

Without a signal of any sort, the waders make their way out of the surf and back onto the shore. We turn to face the sun, which has yet to peek through the clouds over Pu?u Kukui Preserve, a protected rainforest and watershed area. Chanting begins. A chant to which my heart always returns, particularly when I’m frightened or need comforting. And, though he’s not leading the chant today, it’s the voice of Celebration of the Arts Founder Clifford Nae’ole I hear.

E ala é, ka la i ka hikina,
Awaken/Arise, the sun in the east,
I ka moana, ka moana hohonu,
From the ocean, the deep ocean,
Pi‘i ka lewa, ka lewa nu‘u,
Climbing to heaven, the highest heaven,
I ka hikina, aia ka la, e ala é!
In the east, there is the sun, arise!
Mahalo, I whisper as the chant concludes. Mahalo for this place where my spirit feels at home. Mahalo for my Hawai‘i ‘ohana. Mahalo for E ala é and the man who introduced me to it, Clifford.
E ala é concludes with one of the practitioners charging us to go forth and embrace the days ahead as Ritz-Carlton Kapalua’s 25th Celebration of the Arts (COA) begins.

The Story of Celebration of the Arts

Celebration of the Arts was conceived to impart Hawaiian culture, food, dance, art, crafts, music, film, and talk story, or conversation as a way to create common ground between visitors, locals, and Native Hawaiians. “I feel visitors can contribute much to the future of Hawai’i if they’re educated and, therefore, become emotionally attached,” Clifford says of why he started COA. “I urge visitors to take these emotions home and keep an eye out for any legislation, health reforms, educational programs, or indigenous rights that are taking place in their homelands.”

It feels entirely fitting that COA is held at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Somewhere, I got it into my head that Kapalua is the juncture where heaven meets the Earth. I’ve asked Clifford about this before, but he says he’s never heard this supposition. I remain convinced, however, it’s true.

The property includes the dunes of Honokahua, a sacred burial site. When the resort was being built, Hawai‘i was going through what Clifford calls “an awakening.” “Up until the attempt to build the hotel, the Hawaiians had no say in terms of how their artifacts or skeletal remains were handled when dug up for ‘progress,’” he says. Protesters convened as 1,800 remains were about to be removed from the site. “Fortunately, an agreement was solidified between the State of Hawai‘i and the hotel, allowing the burial site to remain intact.” As a result, the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua was relocated further up the bluff and away from this preservation area.

Yoga at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua

While yoga isn’t on COA’s itinerary, it is definitely on tap at the hotel. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s Fitness Center has a robust class schedule featuring everything from Somatic to Laughter Yoga. Many of the 30- to 60-minute classes are free to guests. (As an FYI, yogis under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.)

Additionally, there’s a Mindful Meditation with Music offering at the hotel. Over the years, I’ve foregone this offering in lieu of seeking out the idyllic meditation spots on resort grounds. One is midway along a walking path overlooking the Pacific. The other is tucked under a rocky outcropping, where the surf rolls in, alerting me, “Your meditation session has concluded.”

What makes Celebration of the Arts feel so fitting to a yogi are the rituals that serve as a spiritual connection to the islands. To me, being allowed to witness and participate in these ceremonies is precious.

Ka Wai A Kane Ceremony

As 8 a.m. rolls around, a large group waits at the entrance of a ballroom. Soon, a velvet rope is pulled aside, allowing us access to this “red carpet” event. We’re about to experience the Ka Wai A Kane ceremony.

The public is allowed to watch as several people are invited to drink water made bitter by awa, a Polynesian root that’s consumed socially and during special gatherings like this one. “It’s said the deity Kane provided us with awa to show our dedication to strive for the best,” Clifford explains. “Drinking awa is a sign of sacrifice and commitment.”

Signaling the beginning of Ka Wai A Kane, a conch shell is blown, followed by a chant. A gentleman holding an ohe, or long bamboo pole, tilts it towards two large wooden bowls. Ever so slowly, water fills the vessels. Clifford says, “When you listen to the sound of water that pours from the ohe spout into the Tanoa, or sacred bowl, the sound is akin to the voice of Kane.”

Assisting the kupuna, or elders, a boy passes a shell to be filled from the bowl. Waiting in the wings are several young men serving as Kakoo, also performing the honor of helping. One by one, they approach, kneel before the elders to accept the shell, then deliver it to individuals sitting on a sacred mat or kapa moe. “Do you pledge your support to all things Hawaiian?” Hokulani Holt, the presiding Kumu, or teacher, asks them. “Always,” responds the first participant, drinking the awa.

As this ceremony concludes, the hushed participants depart the room. The next ritual is “To see Hawaiians being Hawaiian.” This is the final ceremony of the day, Wehe ka ipuka… Open the Doorway, or as Clifford puts it, Hawai‘i’s version of “Knock, knock, who’s there?”

Holding sway in the resort lobby, a kupuna opens with a chant. His “Who’s there” response is emitted from the breezeway entrance. Hula halaus, or schools, ‘ohana and spiritual leaders take turns in a very deliberate procession, answering with traditional chants passed down over the centuries. Their query: “Do we have permission to join the Celebration of the Arts?”

Crafts, Games, Food, and Healing

The rest of the COA goes by in a flash. There’s time for visiting the Medicinal Garden to munch on produce from local farms and sip coconut water straight from a machete-sliced coconut.
At various places throughout the building, artisans are busy performing their crafts: drum carving, Hawaiian patchwork quilting, or shell lei making. Elsewhere, hula is performed and ukulele lessons proffered. Facing down at rows of tables are competitors in games of Konane. “It’s similar to checkers,” Clifford says of the centuries-old game of strategy. “Warriors would play it to think about battle scenarios.”

Another art in which COA attendees can be found immersing themselves is one of the healing variety — treatments at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s Waihua Spa. Myriad elements from COA come to mind here. A pathway lined by tall bamboo poles recalls the ohe. There’s a grotto where a hot tub beckons for respite. This is, of course, where one immerses in Waihua, known in ancient Hawai‘i for waters with healing powers. I close my eyes and listen closely. Might I hear the voice of Kane?

Instead, it’s the memory of Clifford’s voice I hear. The one of him chanting on the beach that always follows me:
E ala é, ka la i ka hikina,
Awaken/Arise, the sun in the east,
I ka moana, ka moana hohonu,
From the ocean, the deep ocean,
Pi‘i ka lewa, ka lewa nu‘u,
Climbing to heaven, the highest heaven,
I ka hikina, aia ka la, e ala é!
In the east, there is the sun, arise!

My whispered response, “Mahalo.”

Celebration of the Arts 411

Ready to chant? The 2018 Celebration of the Arts Festival will be held March 30-31. For more information, phone 808-665-7089 or visit: kapaluacelebrationofthearts.com.

Kapalua Area Resorts

Ritz Carlton Kapalua
ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/kapalua-maui
Montage Kapalua Bay
montagehotels.com/kapaluabay
Napili Kai Beach Resort
napilikai.com

Maui

For more information about Maui, visit: gohawaii.com/islands/maui

Bekah Wright

The post A Return to Ritual: Maui’s Celebration of the Arts appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Many a yogi’s bucket list includes a trip to Morocco. As luck would have it, there are aspects of Morocco that can now be found in California. No airplane needed. From many locations in SoCal, one can even skip a car in lieu of something more relaxing – an Amtrak train. The destination: Santa Barbara’s Hotel Californian.

Hotel Californian

When it launched in September, 2017, Hotel Californian drew “oohs and ahhs” for views of the seashore (it is steps away from Santa Barbara’s Stearns Wharf Pier) and Santa Ynez Mountains.

The hotel also received acclaim for the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and modern Moorish-themed décor, thanks to designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard.

The property’s blossoming, geometric logo makes an immediate statement. “Interconnectedness and faith in the ultimate harmony of creation,” Majorelle’s Director of Spa Emma Spencer says of the design’s meaning. “Learning, community, love of beauty, health and wellness.”

Yoga and Wellness

A devoted yoga practitioner, Spencer established the growing yoga program. Eye-candy awaits in yoga classes held at four idyllic locations, from a rooftop deck to an intimate courtyard. Hotel Californian’s yoga program is growing rapidly, and their 2018 target is 12 to 15 weekly sessions. Options include Kundalini, Hatha, Yin, and meditation classes. Pilates, fitness classes, and nutritional seminars are also in the mix. Workshops and art exhibits showcase creations from local artisans with inspiration from the hotel’s Funk Zone neighbors.

Hotel Californian is planning future yoga retreats. In the meantime, it is easy enough to curate your own personal yoga getaway. Start with sustenance from the Goat Tree Café, a healthy, all-day dining venue that will make the gluten-free joyous. Spencer’s nutritious go-tos include the Avocado Smoothie and the Green Beast and Fennel Juices. Her fave menu item is the avocado toast with egg, goat cheese and radish.

Majorelle Spa

Immersion time a la Marrakech can be had via the cobalt blue sanctuary of Majorelle Spa.

Spencer’s recommendation for a treatment to complement your yoga practice is the 90-minute Connect/Intuitive Reading. “Healing energy work and meditation help release old patterns and align your chakras, vital energy centers. Coupled with personalized, gemstone-infused aromatherapy, a take-home component that will lighten your ongoing journey.”

For more information about Hotel Californian

Hotel Californian and Majorelle Spa
36 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805.882.0100
thehotelcalifornian.com

Bekah Wright

The post Hotel Californian Offers Wellness with A View in Santa Barbara appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Red Mountain Resort Yoga and Hiking

Recharge with a Spa Holiday

There’s no denying it – the holidays are here. As much as the world is filled with revelry and good cheer, accomplishing this often comes at the expense of tension, stress, and fatigue. Maybe the holidays are also a time for a bit of self-gifting via the spa. We’re sharing some places around town for body tune-ups, as well as some destinations far and near, all just right for reinvigoration and renewal. The end result? Try scheduling a spa holiday to bring on 2018!

The Surrender Massage

Just in time for counteracting holiday stress, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is introducing The Surrender Massage ($260). The 80-minute treatment’s goal: sheer relaxation, which is accomplished through targeting acupressure points along the Chinese meridians, sacred massage techniques and crystal-infused oils.

Something-so-right about this treatment: equal attention is paid to physical, mental, and emotional tension. The Surrender Massage’s various aspects work in sync to relax muscles and tendons, oxygenate the cardiovascular system, and improve range of motion. As a result, relaxation-inducing melatonin is released, along with joy-provoking serotonin and oxytocin. The body’s lymphatic system flushes out toxins, simultaneously boosting the immune system and clarifying skin. The Surrender Massage “melts tensions, and produces a revitalized body, clear mind and peaceful heart.” For more information, visit fourseasons.com/losangeles.

I Am Grateful for You

Gratitude emanates from Larchmont Sanctuary Spa. One of the reasons for all this thankfulness is a recent renovation. Joining the already warm and welcoming space is a custom-built, Himalayan Salt desk and patio herb garden. To celebrate, the spa is offering a 110-minute I Am Grateful For You treatment ($389). Pampering kicks off with a 20-minute soak in a private copper Jacuzzi. Toast the season with an apple cider champagne cocktail followed by a 90-minute massage of spa-goer’s choice: holistic couples, aromatherapy or deep tissue. For more information, phone 323-466-1028, or visit larchmontsanctuary.com.

Hiking at Red Mountain Resort Spa Holiday

Spa Holiday: Yoga and More at Red Mountain Resort

Red Mountain Resort is tucked away amidst Utah’s dramatic terrain. Yogis will revel in classes in everything from Sadhana Practice and Yoga Flow to Kundalini, Yoga MELT® Fusion and Yoga Detox. (Who doesn’t need that to counterbalance holiday feasting?) The great outdoors also beckons with yoga classes in the red rocks of Snow Canyon State Park and quiet time journeying through the resort’s labyrinth.

Pampering awaits at the resort’s Sagestone Spa & Salon. The Spiced Rum Pudding Manicure and Pedicure (available December 1– January 31) is on tap for the holidays. Antioxidant-rich fruit and olive oil soak with notes of gingerbread, a butterscotch-scented exfoliation with brown sugar, rice bran oil, premium-aged rum liquor, and a resurfacing mask infused with honey and coconut milk. Tying things up with a bow is hydrating hand massage with Backcountry Caramel Body Milk Lotion.

Can’t make it to Red Mountain Resort over the holidays? Consider catching an upcoming retreat. Two to put on your radar – Sacred Sisterhood Retreat: Earthing Your Life’s Purpose (January 11 -15) and Indigenous Alchemy Retreat: Awaken to Your Path and Activate Your Potential (February 8 – 11). For more information, phone 877.246.HIKE, or visit RedMountainResort.com.

The Spa Solange, A Napa Valley Resort

The Chocolate Mint Mudslide

The holidays are also an ideal time to heed the call of Calistoga, specifically at Solage, A Napa Valley Resort. The Spa Solage is known not only for decadent spa treatments, but its bathhouse with geothermal waters and mineral-enriched mud. The Chocolate Mint Mudslide combines the best of both. This self-applied, detoxifying mud has chocolate and peppermint essential oils mixed in volcanic ash and clay. While soaking in all that goodness, you can sip on hot cocoa with an optional/included shot of Baileys Irish Cream. The cost is $115 for a 60-minute treatment and $165 for 90 minutes. For more information, phone 866-942-7442, or visit solage.aubergeresorts.com/spa/.

The Red Flower Moroccan Rhassoul Wrap

If you are craving a spa journey that involves serious mileage and leads to an idyllic destination, or if you are visiting family and looking for a unique getaway, situated in the hustle and bustle of downtown Dallas, Texas is an historic icon:The Adolphus Hotel. Take an elevator up to the seventh floor and there’s a slice of heaven waiting in the Wellness Wing. Located here is The Pool Adolphus, the Fitness Center, and Spa Adolphus.

Just follow your nose to encounter a holiday ritual treatment steeped in cardamom and fig, the Red Flower Moroccan Rhassoul Wrap ($190, 90-minutes). Rich rhassoul clay coats the body, drawing out deep impurities. The face is gently caressed with illuminating rose collagen renewal serum. This treatment trinity culminates with a deep tissue massage using cardamom amber oil to release muscle tension. A blend of shea butter, tangerine and fig seals in moisture. After your session, spend some time at Pool Adolphus in a semi-submerged lounge chair, sipping on tiki-inspired cocktails. You may experience fantasies of Hawaii. For more information, phone 214-742-8200, or visit adolphus.com/spa/.

Golden Glove Facial and Body Treatment

In Honolulu, The Kahala Hotel & Resort is a hidden gem. Although it is within close proximity of bustling Waikiki, the resort is accessed through a peaceful residential area. The white sand beach calls for reclining, as does time in The Kahala Spa. Both spaces bring with them a “golden glow.” In the spa, the signature 150-minute Golden Glove Facial and Body Treatment ($450) is all about renewing, refreshing, and uncovering youthful spirits. No SPF is required during this session that begins with dry brushing, a body polish, and body wrap. A massage lulls, followed by an Oxygen Facial using a state-of-the-art hyaluronic infusion delivery system that wakes up the skin. Mahalo for that!  For more information, phone 808-739-8888, or visit kahalaresort.com.

Serenity Candlelight Yoga in Ojai

Are you in need of a quick escape?  A mere two hours from Los Angeles is the veritable valley oasis of Ojai. Where can absolute tranquility be found? At Ojai Valley Inn’s Spa Ojai. Though year-round zen reigns, it’s especially zen for spa-goers during the holidays. Setting the tone is Spa Ojai’s Serenity Candlelight Yoga (free – only 12 guests per session) held at 5 pm on Friday nights. The goal is to invoke peace on Earth through a yoga flow class that celebrates the day’s blessings.

Vanilla Chai Spa Experience in Ojai

The Seasonal Vanilla Chai Spa Experience is a blessing unto itself ($175, available through February 28). This 50-minute body polish ignites the senses with essential oils of organic vanilla and a chai spice mixture of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and pepper. It is definitely worthy of a long inhale with beneficial properties to be thankful for. The treatment contains healing antioxidants, natural digestive aids, and a sense of well-being. For more information, phone 855-697-8780, or visit ojairesort.com/spa-ojai.

Bekah Wright

The post Relax and Set Intentions with a Spa Holiday appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Tips for Booking the Catalina Island Trek

Offered in the off-season, fall through spring, the Yoga/Hike program can be booked through the REI website. Your adventure departs from the Long Beach Catalina Express Ferry Terminal at 7:45 am.
 

Tip #1

Our tip #1, stake out a spot on the deck and keep eyes trained for dolphins during the hour-long transit.
 

 
Upon disembarking at Avalon, participants are shuttled over to Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden for the three-mile “Garden to Sky” hike led by a member of the Catalina Island Conservancy. The senses immediately tune in to the beauty of the desert and endemic plant collection, as well as views extending across both sides of the island.
 
Another visual delight is a monument honoring William Wrigley Jr., the chewing gum magnate who was devoted to the development of Catalina Island. An element seen throughout the town can be spied here – handmade glazed tiles from Catalina Pottery.
 
Following the hike, a perfect cool-down is a personalized, one-hour yoga class. As if winking from a fork in the road, the historic El Encanto Building lures travelers for this very purpose, along with a side dose of pampering.
 
Indeed, it’s currently the home of Island Spa Catalina. Yoga/Hikers will make a beeline for the Wellness Studio, replete with views of Avalon Harbor. The studio’s regular schedule includes yoga classics that range from the basics to Balance & Flow.
 

Tip #2

After class, there’s free time for lunch (not included in the package price) and exploring the historic town of Avalon. Our tip #2, stick around Island Spa Catalina for a treatment (reserve in advance), lunch, and pool time. Go for the Island Deep Tissue Massage (there’s a 60-minute version, but spoil yourself by choosing 90 minutes) paired with Heated Quartz Sand Therapy enhancement.
 
Tight bodies are lulled into submission on a quartz table of warm sand that can be ergonomically adjusted to relieve muscle, arthritic and joint pain. Post-treatment, have lunch delivered to the Vista Deck Terrace and take in its swoon-worthy Pacific views. Later, cool off with a dip in the pool and a fresh juice elixir.
 

Tip #3

At 5 pm, the REI Yoga/Hike program concludes and participants return on the ferry. Our tip #3: Don’t leave! Plan ahead for an overnight stay and spend more time luxuriating island-style.
 
Check into ideal waterfront accommodations at Pavilion Hotel Avalon. Just 14 steps from the beach, this retro-hip hotel has a favorite gathering spot – its firepit. Here, hotel guests grab a cup of joe or a glass of wine and share stories. Breakfast provided daily as well as a wine and cheese hour at day’s end. Where to practice asana? In the lush courtyard within the u-shaped structure.
 

Tip #4

For evening entertainment, our tip #4: dinner and a movie. Avalon Grille has an offering that combines both (restrictions apply). The open-air venue serves up American fare.
 
Movies begin nightly at 7:30pm. Current-run films are showcased in a work of art unto itself – Catalina Casino. Stay late for the new Twilight at The Casino Tour to take in the theatre’s art deco magnificence, such as the 50-foot domed ceiling, hand-painted murals, 1929 Page pipe organ and a ballroom where big band acts continue to play in the new millennium.
 

Tip #5

The next morning, rise with the Sun. Tip #5, let spirits soar while communing with nature. Options for doing so abound, Catalina is, after all, home to bald eagles, American bison and garibaldi. Float on the clouds during a Descanso Canyon Zip Line Eco Tour, or take on the Catalina Aerial Adventure.
 
Embark on a Jeep tour of the island’s interior to spot local critters like foxes and buffalo. Give the element of water its fair due with an afternoon of snorkeling or SCUBA at the Underwater Park.
 

 
A time-sensitive experience not to miss – the Dale Chihuly exhibit at the Catalina Island Museum runs through December 11, 2017. On view are Chihuly’s most iconic works, including Seaforms, Red Reeds, Mille Fiori, Macchia, Baskets, Sea Blue, and Green Tower.
 
What better way to conclude a getaway than inspired by boundary-breaking, gravity-defying art? From tuning into nature, to engaging the senses through cuisine and the arts, this “yoga retreat” is certain to imbue at-home practices with fond memories and the desire for repeat visits.
 

REI Hike/Yoga Information to Catalina Island

Prices:

• $135 member
• $155 non-member

 
Tip: spring for a $20 REI lifetime membership, which can be purchased online, over the phone, or in person.
 
Package includes round-trip ferry (outbound departure is 7:45 am with a 5 pm return). Those looking to upgrade to Commodore Level tickets can do so at the ferry terminal. Also included is the three-hour hike and one-hour yoga class. Yoga mats provided.
 
Participants are encouraged to bring two liters of water and closed-toe shoes for hike. *Limited to 15 enrollees. Sign up here.
 

Bekah Wright

The post Catalina: An Island Retreat for Yogis appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

A yoga retreat involves connecting with the people on your trip. Photo of Kate Hinkens and Ellette Crawford by David Young-Wolff

Once upon a time there was a person referred to as a travel agent. Not only would they book the best routes and times for journeys, they knew exactly what information would be pertinent for particular destinations and scenarios. Nowadays not as many of us call on travel agents to book our travel (hello web searches) but this may sometimes make life more difficult as we search for the intel on where to go and what to do, particularly if our urge to retreat (literally!) sends us looking for the perfect combination of practice, community, and destination for a yoga retreat.

For all the yogis out there grappling with a sense of wanderlust who are contemplating mixing yoga with travel, we want to assist you on your quest, so we’ve turned to experts who know a thing or two about this journey. Get ready for yoga retreat clarity!

Why Go On Retreat?

Likely, most yogis have their own, individual answers for this. Need another rationalization? Here’s one from YogaWorks and InYoga Center teacher Joe Kara, whose schedule frequently includes leading international yoga retreats. “Yoga retreats can be powerful experiences, assisting in reset, refocus, and the feeding of the soul,” he says. “They’re opportunities for self-inquiry, connection, and a focused look at some aspect of our ourselves and our practice.”

Yes, its true, if so desired, there can be more to a yoga retreat than asanas and meditations. Do you have a personal mission in mind? A getaway can be the perfect place to disconnect from the day-to-day in order to clarify your visions or jump-start your goals.

Even better, some retreats are geared with this purpose in mind. “I led a New Year’s Eve yoga retreat one year where all 26 of us outlined our goals: what we wanted to release and create in the year ahead,” teacher Elise Joan reflects. “It was magical to witness all the emotions and vulnerability.”

As the year progressed, retreat attendees were able to monitor one another’s progress through regular email correspondence Elise faciliated. “From ending bad relationships to quitting dead-end jobs, everyone had created space for new opportunities,” Joan says. “People credited the yoga retreat with helping them feel empowered.”

Elise Joan leading a retreat in Costa Rica

Is It All About the Asanas?

Yes, it’s a yoga retreat, but is it also a vacation? Asking yourself this question is a great starting point when narrowing down the right choice of yoga retreat. “Most yoga retreats provide a container for a transformative, relaxing and/or inspiring week where you don’t have to do all the planning,” says One Yoga Global owner Laura Forsyth. “Typically, lodging, meals and yoga classes are included, plus some additional group activities for exploring surroundings.”

If you’re thinking of relaxation, or yearning for adventure, checking the retreat’s schedule is imperative.

Here are some questions to consider:

Are you looking to deepen your practice via multiple classes a day?
Do you need to unplug and let go of daily to-dos to regain balance?
Or is WiFi a must?
How important is time for meditation? In a group or alone?
What’s most important to you: Bonding with friends or alone time?
Do you prefer a mix of other physical activities along with yoga?
Do spa treatments beckon?
Are you seeking a retreat full of the thrill of adventure?
Are you looking for a cleanse?
For Ayurvedic or special diet menus?
Or is this a foodie trip or an opportunity to sample the famous local cuisine?
Are you yearning for an early-to-bed/early-to-rise kind of experience to finally catch up on your sleep?
Or are you more the late night dancing paired with mid-morning meditation variety of retreat-goer?

Once you have reflected on your goals or desires for this particular trip, it becomes easier to pinpoint the perfect fit of terms of a yoga retreat. Remember that your goals and desires may change based on what you need in your life in any particular moment.

So if last year was the social trip and you need seclusion this time, embrace it!

Let go of any preconceived notions of what you need now.

Receiving a Spa Treatment at Ananda in the Himalayas on a Yoga Retreat

To Group or not to Group?

Another question to make sure to ask yourself: Are you looking for a guided group experience or do you need some time to practice solo? One of the bennies of a retreat is the opportunity to luxuriate in an opportunity to allow a teacher to take the reins and hold the space for you during a retreat. Allowing yourself to settle into a schedule where you don’t have to make all the choices can be a restorative act of surrender in and of itself. Of course, teachers aren’t one-size-fits-all, so it’s equally important to find the right fit in a leader, as it is a yoga retreat.

You may decide to travel with your tried-and-true instructor, someone you know there’s a connection, but you may also decide to practice with someone outside your usual routine. When making the decision, “a little research helps you get to know the teacher and what styles they offer,” Kara recommends. “Reach out to them via social media, or the contact info on their website.”

Setting the Scene

Have a bucket list destination tugging at your heart? (See the top 10 destinations on many a wish list.) No? Take noted retreat leader and teacher Shiva Rea’s advice and feel carefully to discern the destination for you. “Try to feel where you’re being called, then let the calling begin to transform you in the months or weeks before a retreat.”

When planning where you are going, weigh the pros and cons of staying close to home (convenience and time-saving) versus going somewhere far-flung with a total change of scenery. “Some retreats are focused on extended yoga programs and the inner journey,” Forsyth says. “Others bring in aspects of the surrounds, using yoga as a backdrop to experience the country’s culture.”

Forsyth tends to select the latter. “I’ve found so much magic in combining the yoga practice with a spectacular destination where you’re able to become immersed in a different people, customs, and foods.”

Yoga in Iceland Photographed by Michael E Brown courtesy of One Yoga Global

To Roommate or Not to Roommate?

This is where the above solitude question again comes to the fore. Yogaglo and YogaWorks Kundalini teacher and international retreat leader Kia Miller is all about sharing the retreat experience. “I find rooming at retreats with friends great for bonding time,” she explains. “If I’m flying solo, I leave it to destiny to see who I end sharing a room with. This approach — open mind/open heart — often creates new, long-lasting friendships.”

How to Prepare

First, remember the obvious. If you’re traveling overseas, make sure your passport is valid for months beyond your trip (this matters depending on the destination). Pack clothing for modesty and different activities and different times of day, and take just a little less than you might need.

Packing aside, Rea has an important pre-travel prescription. “Rest, practice and relax.” That being said, don’t skimp on your workouts leading up to a retreat; think about it as pre-training for what can be similar to a marathon for the mind and body. Warns Rea, “If you arrive having forgone your practice, then dive into a five- to seven-hour yoga class or adventure sports, you’ll spend half of your retreat sore.”

Think about your destination when it comes to preparation as well; for example, Miller recommends a special herbal program as part of her pre-travel prep for yoga retreat participants going to India.

Bringing It Home

The same preparation for departing on a yoga retreat is also highly advised for the return so that you can extract the most out of the experience. Approach the “re-entry period” with these bits of wisdom, and the benefits of the trip can become part of a regular routine.

“Even if it’s only for five minutes a day, come home with a practice and follow it for at least 40 days,” Miller advises. “This will help further integrate the retreat experience and continue elevating energy.”

What kind of impact can yogis expect to have from embarking on a retreat? “After over 150 retreats around the world, I’ve learned you can find the sacred within you anywhere,” Shiva Rea says. “Yet there are experiences we have on this extraordinary planet that fertilize in ways beyond our imagination.”

Shiva Rea on Retreat in Santorini

Bekah Wright

The post How to Choose a Yoga Retreat appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.