The Best Silent Retreats in the World
Sitting in stillness for just a few minutes each day can help cope with stress and anxiety, live a more balanced life, stay in the present moment, reset your brain function, and enhance relationships, both with a personal relationship with oneself and with others — to name just a few of the benefits of meditation. Meditation classes in a dedicated meditation center can be the perfect place to start if you’re finding the idea of meditating on your own and having a spiritual life for the first time a little daunting. I personally use Headspace and I love it. If you’ve already been initiated and are ready to try silent retreats in Europe or beyond, yaaaassssss! If you're college students or young people and think meditation is for old folks, you are so wrong! Many campus ministry offices actually offer silent retreats these days. Getting away from your cell phone and modern world commodities for a few days has amazing benefits for your personal growth.
I was sold after my first Vipassana course in Thailand and I get questions about Vipassana centers quite often. Silent retreats are available everywhere in the world and are a great way of relaxing away from stressful environments and too much noise while nurturing your mental health. I believe that experiencing a silent retreat meditation should be on everyone’s bucket list at least once in a lifetime and today I wanted to share with you the best meditation centers to experience something beautiful.
You will never regret giving yourself the gift of noble silence. And whether you pick a Vipassana or an Ignatian silent retreat (and there are many other different mindfulness retreats, but do check out Ignatian spiritual exercises here if you're curious — the Ignatian spirituality is fascinating), know that you do not need to be a religious person for the practice of meditation and its positive effects.
If you were thinking of going with a family member or partner, I suggest doing meditation retreats alone so that you can really focus on yourself during daily practice and not have your emotional state altered by worrying about someone else. But everyone's healing process is different. Do bear in mind that, aside from arrival day, you won't be able to talk to other course participants.
If over 12 hours of meditation a day is a bit too daunting for you to start, do check out my yoga retreat experiences recommendations too. But know that even the best silent meditation retreats are also offered in weekend retreat formats if the thought of sitting in silence for week-long retreats scares you.
The best silent retreats in the world
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
Silent Retreat Europe
Intensive Mindful Meditation, Stress Reduction and Personal Restart Retreat in Portugal
Portugal is always a good choice for an insight meditation retreat to experience meditation sessions, listen to Dharma talk, or just for relaxing. This six-day burnout and stress reduction silent meditation retreat Europe location offered under the spiritual direction of Molinum ad Mare is a must for busy people. The retreat’s intention is to help you recognize how stress affects your life and how you can make changes to improve it. Tucked away in the peaceful Algarve, Molinum ad Mare’s surroundings will provide you with a chance to just be yourself, take long walks, and shush the amount of noise in your head. Each private room is uniquely decorated with antique furniture and panoramic views of the Algarve. You may well see me there, but don’t talk to me LOL. Not even eye contact. Even in the dining room. ;)
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Price: n/a
Closest Airport: Faro Airport (23km)
Airport pick up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish
Vegan Friendly?: Upon request
Check out retreats in the Algarve!
Meditation Retreat and Individual Silence in Germany
Little Paradise offers an eight-day individual silent retreat Europe option for guests seeking inner peace under the direction of a spiritual director to help guide their meditation practice if you're not quite ready to be left to your own devices. Come here to find greater focus and greater clarity in daily meetings in the meditation hall — a quiet atmosphere away from your daily lives, stressful situations, mental chatter, and unresolved issues to further discover who you are, and what you really need for your life. Complement your silent retreat and readings by Buddhist teachers with the invigorating energy from wildlife and nature.
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Price: from $659
Closest Airport: Hamburg Airport (22km)
Airport pick up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, German
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out group retreats at Little Paradise!
3 Days Spiritual Meditation Retreat in Wales, UK
For those of you in the UK, there are so many spiritual practices options for you in all the lush greenery — the optimal conditions for daily contemplative practice. Song of the River Retreat Sanctuary is a spiritual and meditation retreat center in Wales, and a retreat house of uniquely profound energy vortexes and the perfect escape haven. They offer three and two days of spiritual and healing meditation retreats that are not frighteningly long and the perfect initiation to a silent retreat and embracing your inner world if you haven't got that much time. Come and connect to higher energies to increase spiritual growth in a beautiful and peaceful setting.
Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Price: from $300
Closest Airport: Liverpool John Lennon Airport (35km)
Airport pick up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out retreats in Wales!
Meditation Centers in Asia
Zen Meditation Retreat in Japan
If you want to experience days of silence and Zen at its very origin, consider this Five Days Zen Meditation and Japanese Culture experience offered by Zen priest Yodo Kono. This Buddhist retreat Asia opportunity takes place in a 670 years old Zen Temple in the scenic town of Hiji and is part of the insight meditation society recommendations. Guests can really unplug and de-stress in the peaceful surroundings around the temple. Zen Centers retreats offer accommodation and activities like hiking to natural hot springs, Japanese food-making, and a hot spring tour at the famous Beppu City.
Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
Price: from $401
Closest Airport: Fukuoka Airport (100km) & Oita Airport (24km)
Airport pick up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Languages: English, Japanese
Vegan Friendly?: Yes, it's all vegetarian meals that can be made vegan
Check out retreats at the Zen Meditation Retreat location!
Vedansha Institute of Vedic Science and Alternative Medicine
One for the yogi, come and find inner stillness away from negative thoughts at any of the excellent retreats organized by Vedansha Institute of Vedic Science. This spiritual center's aim is to help you reconnect with yourself by improving your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health through the practice of all limbs of yoga. Vedansha Institute of Vedic Science and Alternative Medicine offers daily yoga classes, methods of asana, pranayama, meditation, personal prayer guidance, Ayurveda, and retreats in the Vedic tradition, ranging from a few days to a full month.
Duration: starts at eight-day retreats
Price: From $438
Closest Airport: Delhi Airport (23km) or Dehradun Airport (15km)
Airport pick up included? No, can be organized for $25 per person
Skill Level: Beginner
Languages: English, French, German, Hindi, Russian, Sanskrit
Vegan Friendly?: Upon request
Check out retreats at Vedansha Institute of Vedic Science!
Mindfulness Meditation Retreat and Positive Self-Transformation Guide in Thailand
Nestled in picturesque Koh Lanta Thailand, Naturbliss offers an energizing mindfulness retreat for travelers seeking simplicity in their daily life, from silent prayer to mindful eating. The goal of this six-day retreat is to help you rejuvenate by reconnecting yourself to nature’s healing energy. It will also help you be present by appreciating your thoughts and emotions without judging them. The accommodation comes with daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And, if you still want to relax, Naturbliss also offers Thai massage, the perfect way to end a day of silence during your spiritual journey.
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Price: from $1,693
Closest Airport: Krabi Airport (62km)
Airport pick up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, Thai
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out retreats at Naturbliss!
Meditation Centers in the Americas
Vinyasa Yoga and Tantra Teacher Training in Peru
Located in the culturally diverse city of Cusco Peru, Samadhi Sacred Village offers 14 days of mindfulness yoga sessions for those wishing to become a meditation teacher, through a daily schedule of practices of Tantra yoga. In this extended retreat, you will also learn Tantric cleansing Kriyas to purify your monkey mind and be focused on the present life. The program includes accommodation, food, and transportation services. Ideal for those wishing to embark on longer retreats. Peru is also a great location to take an Ayahuasca retreat, another of those amazing life experiences to go deep within.
Duration: 14 days, 13 night
Price: from $2,520
Closest Airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (24km)
Airport pick up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, Spanish
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out retreats at Tantra!
Rejuvenating Summer Retreat in New Hampshire, USA
Meditation classes are offered across the United States and North America, but what sets this three-day spiritual retreat apart is the inclusion of music. Guests can use musical instruments like drums to let go of stress. The accommodation is set on 500 acres of the scenic countryside of Chesterfield, New Hampshire in a former monastery. Guests can enjoy swimming in the pool, hot tub, or lake. Definitely, a perfect setting to rejuvenate yourselves and get acquainted with your own minds while listening to the buddhist teachings.
Duration: 3 days, 2 night
Price: n/a
Closest Airport: Bradley International Airport (104km)
Airport pick up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out retreats at Marla Leigh!
Shamanism Seasonal Retreat in Ontario, Canada
Heart Foundations of Shamanism offers four-day spiritual retreats to take a break from everyday life, dive within your inner being and contemplate your own thoughts. Each season of gatherings has a different theme, and guests can build a resilient and sustainable foundation of heart-centered living. Along this journey and spiritual practice, you’ll learn to love yourself and others. For accommodation, guests can wake up to Algonquin Park’s fresh forest air.
Duration: 4 days, 3 night
Price: $862
Closest Airport: North Bay/Jack Garland Airport (58km)
Airport pick up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out retreats at Northern Edge Algonquin!
Best Vegan Restaurant Berlin: My Berlin Vegan Guide
It’s taken me the best part of the last seven years to wrap my head around all the best vegan restaurants Berlin has in store and I’m excited to finally present you with this best vegan restaurant Berlin guide. Just for y'all, I’ve eaten my way around the best vegan Berlin trail, chomping on great food like the finest vegan burgers, vegan currywurst, vegan doner kebabs, vegan donuts, vegan cakes… in fact, just pick your favorite food. I’ve probably eaten it vegan in Berlin. I'm pretty blown away by the explosion of new vegan Berlin restaurants in the last year, so I'm excited to present you with my 2023 edition of this vegan restaurants Berlin guide. Living a vegan lifestyle in Berlin is a dream. We even have vegan supermarkets! Berlin is the main dish.
The problem with spending seven years trying to eat all the best vegan Berlin food and vegetarian food is that it’s such a vibrant vegan scene, it’s constantly expanding. I keep thinking I’ve eaten at all the best places, then overnight another five incredible vegan food Berlin places appear. So this list of the best vegan restaurants near me gets constantly updated with my latest discoveries from the lots of vegan restaurants that keep on appearing.
This is, therefore, by no means a definitive list of everywhere you should eat… but it is, in my humble opinion, the best Berlin vegan food you should add to your Berlin itinerary. So read on, drool, book your weekend in Berlin, and feast to your heart’s content on the best vegan food in Berlin.
Here for the first time? Prefer to order in? Most of the restaurants below are on Wolt, my favorite meal delivery app. You can use the code MOSTLYAMELIE to receive 3 x 5€ off of your first three orders! Get it here!
Read on:
* The healthy food guide to Berlin
* The best yoga spots in Berlin
* Visiting a German nude spa
* Visiting a sex club in Berlin
* The best hotels in Berlin
* The best thrift stores in the German capital
Best Berlin Vegan Restaurants: My Current Favorite Places
1. Brammibal’s Donuts
Talking of the best vegan places in Berlin... Scattered all across town, a small part of the American dream lives on in this vegan café with this classic treat, which has been oh-so-deliciously veganized. If the song "Oh I went downtown and walked around the block/I walked right into the donut shop…" was part of your childhood, then Brammibal’s will be a sugary sweet heaven for you and maybe the best vegan restaurant Berlin possibly has. Not only are their vegan donuts hands down the best in Berlin (or, might I even say, in Europe) but they’re also wildly creative with their flavors. The wide variety changes monthly (plus a changing weekend special) so they always keep us on our feet and wanting more. A vegan breakfast Berlin staple for those with a sweet tooth. Monday is vegan cinnamon roll day FYI. They also have free Wifi.
Instagram // Various locations
2. Alaska Vegan Bar
Alaska has been in existence for quite a while now, but only recently did I fall completely in love with it. An unpretentious curb-side terrace in a residential area of Neukölln hides delicious vegan versions of Spanish tapas that are great at any time of day — seriously, give it a try for boozy weekend brunch. The patatas bravas are a reason alone to make your way there, but literally, everything on the long menu is stellar, down to the amazing quality of their sourdough bread. The service is friendly, the ambiance is great, the prices are more than fair, really, you cannot go wrong here! They also have vegan piña coladas!
Reuterstraße 85, 12053 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
3. Calm Coffee
Instagram has been a great place for cute cafés to flourish this past year, with easy-to-share pretty interiors and even prettier food and drinks. One place that's fast becoming a regular weekly pit-stop for me is Calm Coffee and their changing menu of delicious yeasty vegan buns and "cloudy" drinks. I think the photos speak for themselves, but all the buns and "cloudy's" (a creamy and dreamy layered drink of various flavors, pictured above is the mango-matcha version topped with matcha-flavored oat cream) are vegan (there are also a few non-vegan menu items, despite what Happy Cow says). Look out for the fruit buns (strawberries and raspberries) they are TO DIE FOR. Great iced coffee in the summer too!
Wühlischstraße 38, 10245 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
4. Gazzo
There are a few other places where you can get really great vegan pizza in Berlin (la Stella Nera, Sato, Zero Stress), but Gazzo is my favorite, both for the quality of the pizza (dat sourdough crust tho) and the ambiance/location. Beware that the place isn't 100% vegan, but there are always many vegan options on the menu and the vegan cheese they use is absolutely delicious. The sourdough is soft, thick, and chewy and there's a great wine menu alongside. Best enjoyed on a steamy summer day on the terrace. The place could definitely use more vegan desserts (there were none at the time of my visit), but I'm so excited about Gazzo, I just want to eat pizza there day in and day out. To top it off, they use only local, sustainable, and natural ingredients. The best vegan pizza according to me. If you prefer thick crust or are into Neapolitan-style pizzas, try Gemello.
Hobrechtstraße 57, 12047 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
5. Chimneys
Make sure you're not planning to eat a full meal shortly after eating something from Chimneys vegan cafe because this will for sure ruin your dinner – it's a meal in and out of itself. And a perfectly legitimate one, I reckon, if slightly pricey. But what more can you ask for on a hot day when you're craving something sweet. These are over the top, but they are delicious, freshly baked, and, well, they look amazing!
6.Vegano Flavors
For those who miss a big juicy steak (or not), Vegano Flavors packs a punch in flavor and originality with their Middle Eastern all-vegan meaty plates. Not one for the gluten-intolerant however, but this is truly meat alternative done very, very right, full of flavors, plus amazing hummus, great bread and lovely service.
Raumerstraße 6, 10437 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
7. FREA
FREA is one of the few vegan fine-dining options in Berlin (there is also Lucky Leek, Cookies Cream and Oukan Dining mentioned below) and has something really special going on in that it is also zero waste. The plant-filled interior design screams class and the seasonal menu of creative dishes is more than top-notch. A little bit on the pricey side for some, but of course you get what you pay for and everything from the vegan menu at FREA is amazing and of top quality. The wine menu is also great. My favorite spot to have a fancy vegan meal on a special occasion — very romantic! The main course selection is stellar.
Kleine Hamburger Str. 2, 10115 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
8. Vincent Vegan
Out with the rubbery soy patty, this is veggie burger fast food heaven. I wish Vincent Vegan had chosen a better location to finally set sail in Berlin, but I understand that they are trying to reach the mass, and I guess a brand new shiny mall is the place to do that (sometimes they operate out of their food truck at events). The fact remains that the brand new East Side Mall is an eyesore like I've rarely seen, and the only ever reason I will step food inside is to grab me one of the amazing Beyond Burger from Vicent Vegan. I'm sure everything else is also good, but that's all I'll ever eat from there, despite the hefty price, and despite the shitty location. That burger trumps everything else possible. Grab two or three, just in case, and cross over to the East Side Gallery to eat them. Another great option for vegan burgers is Lia's Kitchen in P.berg.
Tamara-Danz-Straße 11, 10243 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
9. Veganz
How many cities can pride themselves on having a fully vegan grocery store chain? Well, Berlin obviously does and Veganz is your one-stop shop for a large selection of vegan cheeses, amazing snacks, cream cheese, yogurt, chocolate, granola bars, ice cream, and everything else you could think of. Veganz grocery stores have it! Having vegan shops that offer all those vegan products is one of the best parts of living in Berlin!
Warschauer Str. 33, 10243 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
10. Li.Ke
Holy peanut sauce. Li.Ke hasn't been opened for that long but already has a jam-packed terrace most evenings, and there's a good reason for that: it's delicious and some of the best vegan food Berlin currently has in store. The decor is extremely garish and fun and tacky and so very Thai, and that's what drew me in the first place. Beyond the great atmosphere, there's some really amazing vegan Thai food to be had (it's all vegan, yes!), sticky rice (yes!!!!), and what the hell, vegan fried eggs (try them, they're amazing!). Pair with a visit to the Boxi weekly market right across the street (food on Saturday and second-hand on Sunday).
Grünberger Str. 69, 10245 Berlin
Instagram // Directions ⠀⠀
11. Greenfinch
Greenfinch is a lovely hip café in Prenzlauer Berg. The food is all vegan and you'll find things like sourdough, hummus bowl, and muesli, as well as the main reason for me to visit — a glorious stack of vegan pancakes followed by one of their daily amazing cakes. There are also a few lunch options to pick from. A beautiful little cozy space to start the day with a vegan brunch!
Käthe-Niederkirchner-Straße 10, 10407 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
12. Holy Flat!
Neukölln is fast becoming my fave hood to hang, and HOLY FLAT! is definitely one of the reasons why. Healthy, natural & environmentally friendly bowls, with hands down the best damn tofu I've ever had (in the kimchi bowl, depicted above). The food is inspired by European, Middle Eastern, Central, and South American flavors, and everything is available in vegan and vegetarian meal options. There's also a HOLY FLAT! in Prenzlauer Berg.
Lenaustraße 10, 12047 Berlin
Directions ⠀⠀
Eberswalder Str. 22, 10437 Berlin
Directions ⠀⠀
13. Han West
Fans of Asian food and all things dumplings and soy sauce, rejoy! Han West is a fantastic hole in the wall where you order outside and then eat at the lovely adjacent bar. They have a few options, but I always opt for the vegan combo box, which has a little bit of everything (some dumplings, a steamy bao bun, and some french fries served with all sorts of dips). It's a big meal that I always end up somehow finishing because it is so delicious. This is also my go-to lazy Sunday delivery option. Super delicious!
Görlitzer Str. 69, 10997 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
14. Vux
One of the best vegan restaurants in Berlin when it comes to cakes... Vux has some pretty incredible food, and Berlin has some pretty incredible vegan cakes. So when I say that Vux has the best cupcakes in town, that should not… repeat, should not be taken lightly. In particular, the peanut butter cupcake. It’s like peanutty heaven in cupcake form. If that’s not up your street, there’s sure to be something else that will suit you - Vux has so much choice for cakes that to say you’re spoiled is a massive understatement. It's also one of the top vegan restaurants Berlin has for brunch.
Wipperstraße 14, 12055 Berlin
Facebook // Directions
15. Tsu Tsu
A recent discovery of mine, Tsu Tsu offers vegan (and non-vegan, there are some animal products in the kitchen) Japanese fried chicken that is crunchy and greasy and amazingly delicious. Served with a wedge of lemon and some sides such as edamame, french fries, or onigiri, eat this curbside on the lovely Graefestraße with a cold beer on a sunny day and thank me later. Summer in Berlin, and the vegan living is easy ;) Tsu Tsu is the vegan food option you didn't know you needed! Just good food and reasonable prices.
Graefestraße 2, 10967 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
16. Oukan Dining
A relatively newcomer on the now expanding Berlin vegan fine dining scene, Oukan has absolutely no comparison point or competitor when it comes to the quality of both the dining and the overall experience. Located in a dark alley of Mitte, entering Oukan already feels like some underground clubby business. You'll be greeted at the entrance with a drink of your choice while you wait for your table to be ready. If you can afford it, I suggest fully splurging and trying the 7-course menu with wine pairings. The staff is fun and there is nothing stiff about the experience. Au contraire, there's something quintessentially "Berlin" about the whole thing — it's dark, grungy, and underground. And most obviously the food is absolutely incredible. It's expensive but totally worth it. Wouldn't be surprised if they get themselves a Michelin Star in coming years.
Ackerstraße 144, 10115 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
17. Factory Girl
Sadly not many brunch places in Berlin take reservations, and I fell victim to arriving too late to a snake of people wrapped around the block waiting for a spot Factory Girl on several occasions. But low and behold, one morning, I managed to get in. All that for one thing and one thing only: this messy business called COCO ANJELA. An indulgent creamy pile of changing flavors that is 100% vegan and 100% delicious. Sure, there's a bunch of other great vegan dishes on the menu, but COCO ANJELA is THE reason to come alone.
Auguststraße 29c, 10119 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
18. The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is a fully vegan Italian bakery located in Mitte. Not a whole lot to say here, as I think the image speaks for itself. Excellent pastries (some savory things too), great coffee, tiny place (so best for takeaway). It's so so lovely, you should make it a pit stop for a treat if you can — you won't regret it, I promise! Just delicious food and a vegan paradise.
Torstraße 175, 10115 Berlin
Instagram // Directions
VEGAN-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN BERLIN
If you know anything about vegan travel destinations, then you’ll have seen Berlin consistently appearing - and now you understand why. It’s quite simply unrivaled — it even has vegan and vegan-friendly hotels! And if you’re planning your trip to Berlin, you need at least a week or two to get around everywhere - and you’d better practice your competitive eating before your visit as there are no less than 600 vegan-friendly restaurants in the entire city! And a cozy place to roll to at the end of the day you must have. Here are my picks.
Do check out my full list of Berlin accommodation recommendations here.
1.Almodóvar Hotel
Nestled in the heart of vibrant Friedrichshain is the wonderful oasis that is Almodóvar Vegetarian Hotel. Such a special place! If you are bored of cookie-cutter hotels, then Almodóvar vegan hotel is definitely the place to be! The decor is cozy and warm with beautiful chunky wood furniture and nothing at all is sourced from animals. The rooms are huge and the bed is comfy with nice little touches such as a provided yoga mat, which made it extra special for me. The great breakfast buffet is absolutely delicious and in large part vegan, and the wonderfully peaceful spa on the top floor is the perfect place to end a busy day exploring the city. A truly special place a minute walk away to some vegan places! I do believe it's adjacent restaurant, Bistro Bardot, is now sadly closed.
Boxhagener Str. 83, 10245 Berlin (directions)
BOOK YOUR ROOM AT ALMODOVAR HOTEL NOW
Hotel Otto
Hotel Otto is another vegan-friendly hotel and is located in the peaceful neighborhood of Charlottenburg, remote enough to catch your break and unwind, yet just a short train ride away from the center of things. Otto really shines in the quality of its service, priding itself to cater to special needs or any dietary requirements. And boy did they deliver! We were served amazingly fluffy vegan pancakes each morning alongside vegan yogurt and I’m pretty they would have obliged to any of our special requests. The rooms are modern, bright, and airy, with super fluffy bedding and nice lounging areas. There are quite a few Berlin vegan restaurants just around the corner too.
Knesebeckstraße 10, 10623 Berlin (directions)
BOOK YOUR ROOM AT HOTEL OTTO NOW
Which ones of those vegan restaurants are on your list for the next time you visit Berlin? Or is there anything missing from my Berlin vegan guide? I'd love to add more raw options like raw cakes, and also still looking for the best tofu scramble, Italian dishes, hot dogs, Chinese food, and Vietnamese dishes.
Apollo Neuro Review: My Verdict.
I’m a sucker for wearables aimed at improving and optimizing overall health. I’m a faithful Oura Ring user for many years now and have been using my GPS watch and heart rate monitor for running religiously. Gimme all the self-optimization gadgets! These generally have something in common in that they collect data from the user and spit back some information about performance, sleep quality, heart rate variability, activity level, etc. But have you heard of Apollo Neuro? I was recently approached to provide an Apollo Neuro review and have now been putting it to the test for about two months.
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links.
Apollo Neuro is the new kid in the town of wearable devices that can help you manage stress and improve your overall well-being using touch therapy and neuroscience principles. All that by sending data to your body rather than collecting it. As I’ve been dealing with anxiety since my teenage years and poor sleep quality in recent years, when the Apollo Neuro team approached me, I was extremely excited to try it!
So What’s Apollo Neuro About?
The Apollo wearable is a small device that you wear on your wrist or ankle (there’s also a clip if you prefer to wear it anywhere else, like on a shirt strap). It delivers gentle vibrations that stimulate the body's parasympathetic nervous system. This is the part of your nervous system that helps you relax and reduces stress. Apollo Neuro uses scientifically validated techniques like deep touch pressure therapy and specific frequencies of vibrations to snap your nervous system out of flight or flight mode.
Apollo Neuro aims to help reduce stress, improve focus, enhance mood, and even promote better sleep through touch therapy. A tall order? Well. Surely you’re familiar with how hugs and cuddles release oxytocin, the feel-good hormone? So yeah, touch IS powerful: through touch, your nerve endings communicate with the vagus nerve. And as the vagus nerve gets stimulated, your nervous system slows down, causing a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. Increased vagal activity is like a brake on your body's stress response, resulting in a more relaxed physical and mental state.
When you use the Apollo Neuro, the gentle vibrations send a message to your nervous system that everything is A-OK. As your nervous system rebalances, you'll start to feel more relaxed and at ease. And over time, with consistent use of the Apollo Neuro, your nervous system will become stronger and more resilient. This means you'll be able to access that calm and peaceful state more easily, and your biometrics, like heart rate variability (HRV), may even start to improve. So, it's kind of like having a little pocket-sized helper to make your day-to-day life a little less stressful!
This reminded me very much of tapping therapy, which I have been too lazy to try, unfortunately.
Tapping and the Science of Touch
Tapping therapy, also known as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), is an alternative therapy that's gaining popularity for its ability to reduce anxiety and stress. The therapy involves tapping on specific points in your body while focusing on a particular issue or problem that's causing you stress or anxiety. Studies have shown that tapping therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By tapping on certain acupressure points on the body, it's believed that tapping can help release energy blockages and restore balance to the body's energy systems. This can lead to reduced anxiety and increased feelings of calm and relaxation.
The principles behind tapping therapy are similar to those behind the Apollo Neuro technology. Both use touch therapy to stimulate the body's natural relaxation response and promote feelings of calm and well-being. While the Apollo Neuro device uses gentle vibrations to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, tapping therapy uses the body's own energy meridians to achieve a similar effect. I personally much prefer the convenience of a wearable device over the hands-on approach of tapping therapy.
The Apollo Neuro Device and app
The app that comes along with Apollo Neuro has had a facelift in recent months and currently looks like this:
The scheduling function makes it easy not to forget to use your Apollo Neuro. I personally start the day with the Energy mode at 7:30 am for 30 minutes. This doubles as a gentle alarm clock and avoids any jolt from a sound alarm, aka the perfect way to start a day already frazzled and stressed out. Following this, I’ll use Focus while working, Recover after a run or a workout, Calm when I meditate and Unwind as I slip into bed. Fall Asleep runs from 10:30 pm for 120 min. It’s recommended to use the Apollo Neuro three hours a day to see optimal benefits. I’m still working my way there, but so far the Fall Asleep mode has been my favorite. I also use it if I wake up in the middle of the night, which is made easy as you can press the two buttons to replay the last Vibe that was on.
When using the Apollo wearable, you'll feel a gentle vibration that should be noticeable but comfortable. It shouldn't be so intense that it's distracting or uncomfortable. I’m using it at around 30% right now. Start low and gradually increase until you find the intensity that works best for you. The idea is to find a comfortable and effective level of stimulation for your skin, so you can experience the full benefits of the device without any discomfort or distraction.
My Apollo Neuro Review
I’ve now been using my Apollo Neuro device for a few months and have collected some pros and cons:
Pros:
- Stress reduction. I find this especially true with the evening sessions Unwind and Fall Asleep. They feel soothing and I think by now my brain understood that it’s a signal that it’s time to wind down.
- Convenient: The device is small and portable, making it easy to use on the go or during the day. Plus no physical tapping.
- Science! It’s nice to use something that is backed by so much information and research
Cons:
- Cost: The device is relatively expensive compared to other stress-reduction techniques and therapies.
- Lack of integration with other apps. Although I’m sure this will come eventually.
- Short battery life. That’s to be expected for such a small device that emits hours of vibration. The battery life is about 2 days, but it does charge very quickly.
- Look. There’s definitely room for some improvement on the look of the Apollo Neuro. I’m sure it’ll become sleeker with its upcoming iterations.
Overall, I’m super happy with this device and will definitely continue using it. I think Apollo Neuro will appeal to those that are already somewhere down the rabbit hole of health improvement wearables and already aware of their sleep pattern or anxiety triggers, for example. If money is of no concern, I think it’s a great little device (a great present also!) to add to your arsenal of self-care and wellness.
Mexico Yoga Retreat — My Recommendations
Mexico is a place I only got to briefly visit once and have been dreaming of exploring in greater depth ever since. Stunning and diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, delicious food, lush vegetation, and wonderfully warm people are just a few of the things calling me back to it. And with a long history of wellness practices, a Mexico yoga retreat is a great way to experience the country in a whole new light. Makes total sense — Mexico has some of the world's most beautiful locations for relaxation, meditation, personal growth, and self-discovery.
Whether you're a seasoned yogi or new to the practice, there’s a yoga retreat Mexico option for all levels, budgets, and tastes — from the pristine beaches of Playa del Carmen to the lush jungles of Puerto Vallarta, a yoga retreat in Mexico is the perfect opportunity to unwind, get back in touch with yourself, and experience the transformative power of yoga. Below are ten of the best yoga retreats in Mexico to consider for your next wellness getaway. Any skill level welcome. Don’t forget your travel insurance!
Whether you're looking for a calm Mexico yoga retreat, a transformational journey, or an active adventure, Mexico has a yoga retreat to suit you. This magnificent country has something for everyone, from the peaceful beaches of Tulum to the lively culture of Guadalajara. So pack your luggage, roll out your mat, and prepare to explore Mexico's splendor through the perspective of yoga.
Without further ado, let's dive into our list of the top yoga retreats Mexico has in store, and discover the perfect one for your next wellness getaway. For more dreamy yoga destinations in the Americas, check out my Costa Rica retreat guide and United States retreat guide.
Mexico Yoga Retreat: Where To Go
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links.
Solo Traveler Yoga Holiday in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is famous for its stunning Pacific Ocean beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture. This 6-day yoga retreat Mexico opportunity is targeted at the solo traveler, which I love. So feel very welcome to come alone and as you are — you’ll meet with other fellow single travelers and will receive both physical and mental care from the resident yoga teachers. This retreat includes a daily yoga class, meditation sessions, one free deep tissue massage, jungle treks, and healthy meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients. There are 33 oceanfront rooms at Xinalani Retreat. Beachfront, spacious, palm-thatched cabins designed and furnished by local artisans float on stilts along the shore. Dreamy. There’s also a budget-friendly dorm. The best choice if you’re craving the beach.
Duration: 6-day program
Price: From €1,062
Closest Airport: Puerto Vallarta International Airport
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Levels: All levels
Languages: English, Spanish
Vegan Friendly? On request
Check out retreats in Puerto Vallarta and the Pacific Coast now
Nature Immersion with Yoga, Meditation & Hiking Near Mexico City
Escape the hustle and bustle of Mexico City with this full nature immersion yoga retreat Mexico with Omshanti. This all-inclusive retreat takes place in a stunning forest near Mexico City and offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature and your inner self, amidst the Biosphere Reserve of the Monarch Butterfly. An inspiring, idyllic, and peaceful place to escape the city bustle. There are three types of accommodation: Geo Domes with double beds, Glamping Safari Tents, and a villa with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. During the retreat, you’ll enjoy daily yoga, along with a lot of silence, and various workshops in the yoga studio such as asana, pranayama, mudras, bandhas, meditation, philosophy, nutrition, massages, etc. A perfect place if you’re stressed out and in need of a break!
Duration: 4 days
Price: From €330
Closest Airport: Mexico City International Airport
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Levels: All levels
Languages: English, Spanish
Vegan Friendly? Yes
More Mexico retreat options
Healing Wellness Retreat with Yoga Tulum
Join this Mexico retreat in Tulum by the crystal clear blue Caribbean waters if you’re looking for a healing environment to find and learn to maintain serenity. The retreat includes daily yoga, pranayama, and meditation classes, sound healing sessions, and workshops focused on holistic wellness. You will also have free time to explore the surrounding area, visit local attractions, or relax on the beach. You’ll get to reconnect with your actual self and bring your mind, body, and spirit into alignment. You’ll have plenty of free time to explore Tulum, the ancient ruins, cenotes (caves or sinkholes filled with crystal-clear water), beautiful lagoons, and the fun nightlife if that’s what you’re into.
Duration: 5 days
Price: From €3,303
Closest Airport: Cancun International Airport
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Levels: All levels
Languages: English, Spanish
Vegan Friendly? Yes
Explore retreat options in Tulum
Yoga and Surf Retreat in Puerto Escondido
Looking for a quick getaway to recharge your batteries and get away from your daily life? This private yoga and surf retreat in Puerto Escondido is perfect for you! You’ll enjoy a personalized on and off-the-mat adventure in gorgeous sustainable eco-friendly cabanas with spectacular ocean views and be surrounded by tropical vegetation and fauna, making you feel completely at one with nature. This is the ideal balance between an active and restful vacation, no matter your level of physical health. This Mexico retreat includes daily yoga classes, surf lessons, private yoga and meditation, breakfast, lunch, and other optional experiences.
Duration: 4 days
Price: From €851
Closest Airport: Puerto Escondido International Airport
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Levels: All levels
Languages: English, Spanish, German
Vegan Friendly? Yes
Explore yoga retreats in Oaxaca
Chakra Journey Through Yoga and Meditation in Mazunte
One of the many affordable yoga retreats in Mexico, this retreat will take you on a deep journey of self-discovery through the exploration of your chakras. Located in the beautiful town of Mazunte, Oaxaca, this retreat offers a perfect combination of yoga, meditation, and energy work. You will be staying at the lovely Uma Yoga Center, surrounded by lush greenery and only a short walk from the beach. During your stay, you’ll be able to enjoy daily yoga and meditation classes, chakra healing sessions, and a selection of spa treatments. You'll be staying in the wonderful town of Mermejita, a still "secret" location with a generally deserted beach, a very remote, quiet environment, and surrounded by nature. The best things often come free!
Duration: 4 days
Price: From €330
Closest Airport: Bahías de Huatulco International Airport
Airport pick up included? No
Skill Levels: All levels
Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Vegan Friendly? Contact the organizer
Explore more Mexico retreats in Oaxaca
Active Volcano Expedition, Meditation, and Yoga near Mexico City
This retreat offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico, the "Xinantécatl (El Nevado de Toluca)" volcano while practicing yoga and meditation in nature. Located just an hour from Mexico City, the Omshanti retreat center is nestled in a beautiful natural setting and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. During this retreat, you will hike to the base of the volcano, practice yoga and meditation surrounded by nature, and enjoy delicious vegetarian meals made from local ingredients. The yoga style options are Yin and Restorative, which pairs really well with hiking. A really unique adventure!
Duration: 4 days
Price: From €566
Closest Airport: Mexico City International Airport
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Levels: All levels
Languages: English, Spanish
Vegan Friendly? Yes
Explore yoga retreats near Mexico City
Learn Spanish and Practice Yoga in Tulum
Immerse yourself in the Mexican culture and language while practicing yoga in one of the most beautiful destinations in Mexico, Tulum. This retreat offers a unique opportunity to combine learning Spanish with yoga practice, giving you the chance to deepen your knowledge of the language and the local culture. The program includes daily Spanish lessons, yoga, and meditation classes. In the evening, after sunset yoga, you’ll be free to explore Tulum Beach and practice your Spanish as you walk and discover Tulum's nightlife or partake in some group activities. You will be staying at the Tulum Wellness Academy, a lovely retreat center surrounded by nature, just a short walk from the beach.
Duration: 8 days
Price: From €3,113
Closest Airport: Cancún International Airport
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Levels: All levels
Languages: English, Spanish
Vegan Friendly? Yes
More Tulum yoga retreat options
Yoga, Meditation, and Snorkeling Holiday in Cozumel
Escape to the paradise island of Cozumel for a blissful yoga, meditation, and snorkeling holiday with Holistic Tikun. The retreat is located in the serene and tranquil San Miguel de Cozumel, just a stone's throw from the beach. The program includes daily yoga and meditation sessions led by experienced instructors, as well as a snorkeling excursion to explore the vibrant coral reefs and marine life of the Caribbean Sea. The styles of yoga include Hatha, Kundalini, and Acro. This is one of the most popular yoga retreats in Mexico and it’s easy to see why!
Duration: 4 days
Price: From €660
Closest Airport: Cozumel International Airport
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Levels: All levels
Languages: English, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Italian
Vegan Friendly? Yes
Explore retreats in Cozumel
Luxury Yoga and Meditation Retreats in Tulum
For those in the mood for luxury yoga retreats, indulge in these luxurious yoga holidays in the stunning beach town of Tulum with Travel Wellness Concierge. The retreat offers a tailor-made program to suit your specific needs and goals, including daily yoga and meditation sessions, spa treatments, nutritious meals, and guided excursions to explore the beauty of Tulum. During your stay, you’ll be staying at one of the selected luxury beachfront hotels (all with air conditioning). These hidden gem boutique hotels (some of them with plunge pool and open-air shower, drool) are great for fun-loving individuals or couples looking for a romantic weekend or a relaxing getaway. Tulum's natural beauty and barefoot simplicity will inspire you.
Duration: 7-day retreat
Price: From €1,415
Closest Airport: Cancún International Airport
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Levels: All levels
Languages: English, Spanish, French
Vegan Friendly? Please contact the organizer
More Tulum yoga retreat options
Kundalini Tantra Yoga Retreat in Cozumel
Experience a transformative journey to your true self through Kundalini Tantra Yoga in the serene paradise of Cozumel with Yoga Kundalini. The retreat offers daily yoga and meditation sessions, as well as workshops and lectures on Tantra Yoga and Kundalini philosophy. Casa Chakras is a welcoming environment with lots of space for everyone to be alone. The space has a common kitchen and an outdoor bathroom for summer showers, is eco-friendly, and has the atmosphere of a connected community hosting inspired learners.
Duration: 7 days
Price: From €1,290
Closest Airport: Cozumel International Airport
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Levels: All levels
Languages: English, Spanish
Vegan Friendly? Yes
Check out more retreats in Cozumel
Yoga Teacher Training Retreats 2023
Have you become so passionate and dedicated about yoga that you now wish to turn your passion into a career by considering yoga teacher training retreats 2023 courses? I can’t blame you — been there, done that, in fact I did two separate yoga certification retreats. I did my first time yoga certification retreat in India, back in 2015, and although I took a different path after and did not end up teaching, it was truly a transformative experience. And last year I did my second YTT (this time in Ashtanga Vinyasa style) during weekend courses with High on Yoga in Berlin. I highly recommend anyone to take a yoga teacher training abroad as well as doing a silent retreat and an Ayahuasca retreat at least once in their life to heighten their physical practice!
For enthusiastic yoga practitioners (even if your end goal isn’t to actually teach!), it is possible to take a yoga teacher training course abroad and become a yoga instructor and be approved for teaching by Yoga Alliance in just a few weeks, anywhere in the world — a truly life-changing experience. Heck, you can even do online yoga teacher training programs if that best suits you these days! But I think any person training from home for a YTT has to have a lot of discipline.
Anyway, I’m sure you have questions.
Should I consider the best yoga teacher training retreats near me or fly to the tropics? Over the course of several months or all in one go? Is my personal practice of yoga strong enough to become an instructor? What else is in the course materials? How do I choose from a catalog of yoga instructor courses as large as the yoga methods that exist on the planet? Should I take a 200-hr yoga teacher training or longer (up to 500-hour yoga teacher training are available)? What are the best books about yoga to accompany my learnings? On this, I'd say, make sure the school you pick has an emphasis on the yoga sutras as part of their course material. It's the most important document about yoga, in my opinion. Here’s some YTT course wisdom I’ve gathered over my years of training and research.
Best Yoga Teacher Training Retreats 2023
When it comes to picking the right location for your yoga instructor training, there are some things to consider. My first time around, I personally didn’t want to do a yoga teacher training near me or near potentially disturbing life factors, such as work and friends. I wanted to be fully focused and fully immersed. I also thought that if I was going to become a yoga instructor, I wanted to become a registered yoga teacher in the birthplace of yoga: the beautiful place that is India.
The most popular destinations for an intensive yoga teacher training abroad 2023 are India, Bali, Costa Rica, Thailand and the USA. BookYogaTeacherTraining and BookYogaRetreats are two great resources to start shopping around, read reviews and do some research. Below are my recommendations. You can read more about India YTT in my Yoga Teacher Training India article.
There are also several registered yoga school options in Europe, and I've recently completed one of the part-time 300-hour trainings offered by High on Yoga here in Berlin with a bunch of talented teachers with years of teaching experience.
India Yoga Teacher Retreats 2023
Kranti Yoga
In Goa, India
Yoga Teacher Training in Kranti Yoga is available from November until May. Set on one of the best beaches of Goa in the beautiful little town of Patnem, Kranti would be my selection of choice if I had to do it all again. And I might! Imagine practicing giving correct alignment and rehearsing classes while staring at the sea, and having to walk a mere few meters to immerse into the warm waves. Add to this a wonderfully cozy little town where the pace of living is slow and there is some great veggie food, and you have yourself the perfect location to relax while learning the art of teaching yoga and the philosophy of yoga. Some of the options here include a 27 Days 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Vinyasa Flow, a 15 Days 100 Hours Yin Yoga Teacher Training, a 22 Days 200-Hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training, Vinyasa yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and more. Patnem has the best dogs, too!
Duration: various
Price: varies
Closest Airport: Goa International Airport (Dabolim Airport) (47km)
Airport pick up included? No, it can be added for an additional cost of $35 per person
Skill Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out all YTT options in Goa
Best Yoga Certification Retreats in Bali
Loka Yoga School
Loka Yoga School is one of the best yoga schools in Bali and is located right by the beach in Canggu! The school offers world-class internationally certified 200-hour yoga teacher training courses with expert teachers who have over 30 years of experience. An absolutely mind-blowing yoga teacher training located at the most stunning yoga space by the famous surf beach in Canggu, you can escape to paradise to complete your 200-hour training and experience advanced yoga, breathwork, meditation, anatomy & physiology, yoga philosophy, yoga biomechanics, mantra chanting, puja ceremonies, teaching kids yoga, the art of sequencing, adjustments & corrections and the business of yoga.
All participants of the in-person training receive free access to their online course portal, including many of the lectures and classes taught throughout the 200-hour certified Yoga Teacher Training; so you may re-experience the yoga classes and refer back to the content anytime in the future!
Duration: 1 month intensive
Price: from $2,100
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out all YTT options at Loka Yoga School
Parahita Alam Bali
Parahita Alam Bali offers a 25-day teacher training between February and December. The teaching style you’ll learn at this yoga studio is Hatha and Vinyasa and is geared towards yoga for beginners to intermediate practitioners. This 200-hour program on the magical island of Bali includes your usual curriculum of yoga postures study in small groups in an intimate setting of a maximum of 20 students, as well as beautiful beaches, healthy food, cozy accommodation in shared or private room, and a great way to have yourself a vacation of a lifetime. Airport transfers are included for ease of travel, as well as Wi-Fi, hot water, in-house bathrooms, cleaning service and refilled water. Parahita Alam Bali caters to vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and raw food diets. There's no better place than Bali for both the study of yoga and to practice yoga and yoga nidra.
Duration: 25 days, 24 nights
Price: from $2,093
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out all YTT options in Bali
Inner Yoga Training Retreat 2023 Bali
Available from March until November, Inner Yoga Training Retreat is a 24 Day 200-Hour Vinyasa and Yin Yoga teacher training abroad in magical Ubud, Bali’s yoga capital. Inner Yoga features an open-air yoga Shala set amidst lush green rice paddies overlooking the jungle, spa and infinity swimming pool, 3 daily delicious and fresh vegetarian meals per day (vegan and gluten-free on request too). Herbal teas, daily fresh ginger, lime and mint tea, Balinese or french-press coffee and filtered water are available all day long too. An afternoon snack is provided each day with a tropical fruit platter, fresh raw veggies, and homemade vegan dips. Complimentary airport pickup is also available here. This place is great as you will learn two styles of yoga for a strong foundation as a teacher. For shorter yoga education options, do check out my recommendations for Bali yoga retreats.
Duration: 24 days, 23 nights
Price: n/a
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport
Airport pick up included? Yes
Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out all YTT options in Bali
Yoga Teacher Training Retreats USA
ShambhavAnanda Yoga
If you’re in the “must do yoga teacher training near me” clan and are US-based (and here are more options for USA yoga retreats), you can go to Hawaii and feel miles away from home. Well, and you might actually be! Aside from being on Big Island, which is all sorts of magical, the 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training program at ShambhavAnanda Yoga is also great for those in a time crunch because it is done over the course of 16 days. All profit from your YTT course goes directly to the Ashram, a non-profit organization established in 1975 with the sole purpose of passing on the knowledge of the ShambhavAnanda Tradition and its style of yoga. As a working ashram, you will be fully integrated into the spiritual community. Hawaii being the magical place that it is, you can use your free time to climb the cliffs and valleys or drive to the center of the island to visit the sacred grounds of Mauna Kea, a 14,000 ft. Volcano, the heart of Hawaii and home to the clearest skies on earth. You will also have the opportunity to relax at the beautiful white sand beaches, do some snorkeling and stand under the Narnia waterfall in the middle of the jungle.
Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Price: n/a
Closest Airport: Kona International Airport at Keāhole
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English and Japanese
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out all YTT options in Hawaii
Yogi Hari’s Ashram
At the other end of the country in sunny Florida is this 15-day 200-hour yoga teacher training USA at Yogi Hara’s Ashram. After years of training registered yoga teachers around the world, Shri Yogi Hari is now offering his Sampoorna Yoga Teacher Training Courses at a reasonable price in Florida to make Yogic knowledge more available to everyone. Yogi Hari’s Ashram is an oasis for anyone who wishes to become a yoga instructor away from the stressful and hectic world. Here you will learn Ayurveda, Hatha yoga, Nada yoga, Raja yoga, Vedanta philosophy and Bhagavad Gita studies, plus receive 2 daily fresh vegetarian meals and 14 nights of accommodation. The no-frills dorm-style accommodation means it is a great budget option. The yoga level is for beginner to intermediate. Yogi Hari’s Ashram is surrounded by a 10-acre tropical organic farms and is conveniently located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale - easily accessible from either airport. Perfect setting to focus on the final exam too!
Duration: 15 days, 14 nights
Price: from $1,311
Closest Airport: Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport
Airport pick up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Languages: All yoga instruction in English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out all YTT options in Florida
Yoga Certification retreats in Thailand
One Yoga Thailand
I’ve already mentioned that Koh Phangan Yoga is like no other to me, so what better places to do a teacher training than on this wonderful island. Available from March to December, the 28-day 200-hour course at One Yoga Studios allows you to touch upon a few different things and decide what resonates with you best. This 200 hours YTT is an intensive 4-week comprehensive program created to give you a solid foundation in various yoga styles. The school is led by a team of experienced teachers with years of experience in both yoga and meditation. You will learn to teach Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Flow and will be introduced to other styles like Ashtanga and Yin or Restorative yoga practice. Aimed at all levels from beginner to advanced, you will benefit from a selection of accommodations to pick from as well as vegan breakfast and lunch. Koh Phangan is a yoga hub and you will be able to meet like-minded people from all over the world. Shala is located on the beachfront resort close to Shrithanu. Heaven.
Duration: 28 days, 27 nights
Price: from $873
Closest Airport: Samui Airport
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Find more Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Thailand
2023 Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica
Soma Yoga Institute
Last but definitely not least, Costa Rica is yet another dreamy place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with yourself. Soma Yoga Institute offers an 18 Days 200 Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training at Zen Spirit, a magical place that blends the rustic charm of nature with newly constructed modern amenities. The resort is just remote enough to transport you to a place where you can disconnect completely and immerse yourself in an environment of total serenity. Your only distractions will be the sound of birds, frogs, and crickets, and the crashing waves that will rock you to sleep and wake you in synchronicity with the sunrise. Zen Spirit aims to provide their guests with a comfortable, peaceful environment, to experience an in-depth yoga certification. If you’re only there for a short time, do check out my yoga retreat Costa Rica post filled with shorter retreat center recommendations.
Duration: 18 days, 17 nights
Price: from $3,675
Closest Airport: Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (94km) or Juan Santamaría International Airport
Airport pick-up included? No, can be added for $55 per person
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Find more yoga teacher training Costa Rica options
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. This comes at no cost to you and allows me to continue running this blog! Thanks for your support!
Berlin Itinerary For 2 to 7 Days
Berlin is a biggggg big city — not so surprisingly the largest city in Germany. It’s a city with a story like no other, a captivating underground culture, and a wealth of things to see and do. It’s a perfect destination for history buffs, art lovers, and foodies alike. Whether you're interested in World War II, the Cold War, street art, or techno music, or just want to enjoy vibrant city life with a sprinkle of hedonism, Berlin has something to offer.
When planning a trip to Berlin, it’s good to have a rough itinerary in mind. With so many things to see and do, you might end up having mild regrets if you don’t do a little planning. But don’t fret! I’ve put together several Berlin itineraries — ranging from 2 days to 7 days — to help you make the most of your time in Berlin. You can also consult the following articles to help you shape your perfect trip to Berlin:
- My Weekend in Berlin Guide
- My Berlin Vegan Guide
- The Best Berlin Neighborhoods
- The Best Yoga Studios in Berlin
- My Berlin Hotel Guide
- Some movies About Berlin to Set the Stage for Your Trip
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links.
Berlin 2-Day Itinerary
Two days to visit Berlin is admittedly not a whole lot and you’ll have to pick and choose. If it’s your first time visiting, here is what I recommend. Each subsequent itinerary below builds up from this one. I’m covering the classics here, but obviously, this is not a one size fits all.
What to see in two days
- Brandenburg Gate: The symbol of Berlin and one of the city's most famous landmarks, Brandenburger Tor is a must-visit (very touristy, I suggest coming early to avoid annoying crowds). If you have time, take a walk in Tiergarten, it’s right next to it and really beautiful. It's all free, obviously.
- Museum Island: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Museum Island is home to five of Berlin's most important museums, including the Pergamon Museum and Alte Nationalgalerie. This could easily take all day, so it’s good to check out the websites for each museum and decide what you want to see ahead of time. Here’s a pass to all of them should you decide to tackle the whole shebang and skip the lines.
- East Side Gallery: Open-air gallery showcasing over 100 works of art on a 1.3 km stretch of the Berlin Wall — a testament to the city's creative spirit. Free. Grab a few beers by the Spree if it’s sunny!
- Checkpoint Charlie: This former crossing point between East and West Berlin is a symbol of the division of the city during the Cold War. It’s touristy and tacky nowadays, but hey, people seem to love it. I mean, it is Checkpoint Charlie.
- Reichstag Building: This iconic building is home to the German Parliament and is also famous for its glass dome, offering panoramic views of the city. It’s free but you need to book ahead. Do it here.
- Mitte: The central district of Berlin where you’ll find great restaurants, cafes, bars, and shopping. Great if you can make this your home base for a short trip. Or else ride the train to Rosenthaler Platz and walk around from there.
Berlin 3 Day Itinerary
Maybe my list above was a bit too long and you need to add an extra day! In three days in Berlin, you can visit the following sights on top of what’s in my previous list.
What to see in three days
- Potsdamer Platz: A bustling square steeped in history that’s now very urban.
- Alte Nationalgalerie: A museum that showcases German and French art from the 19th century. Get your ticket here.
- Holocaust Memorial: The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a place of remembrance and contemplation, and a must-visit for those interested in the city's dark history. Free.
- Neukölln: A charming neighborhood known for its canal hangs, vintage shops, and hip cafes.
Berlin 4 Day Itinerary
If you have 4 days in Berlin, you can add a few more things to your itinerary. Consider adding the below things to your already growing list!
What to see in four days
- Berlin Wall Memorial and the Topography of Terror, to understand the city's complex past and the impact of World War II and the Cold War
- Prenzlauer Berg, a trendy neighborhood known for its street art and slightly boogie vibes with lots of great restaurants
- The Jewish Museum, to learn about the city's Jewish history and culture
- Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a damaged 18th-century church that serves as a place of remembrance for victims of war and tyranny
Berlin 5 Day Itinerary
At this point, you’ve seen the major highlights, so I will just add some personal suggestions.
What to see in five days
- Holzmarkt, an urban park with great riverside views, dotted with boho bars & food stands
- Unter den Linden, a large square with a boulevard lined with linden trees
- Markthalle 9 on a Thursday evening, a fantastic street food event!
- Go up the Park Inn Hotel roof for an amazing view of the TV Tower
Berlin 7 Day Itinerary
What to see in seven days
- Add on the Victory Column (make sure you go up for an amazing view!)
- Visit the Bode Museum and the Berliner Dom
- Visit a German spa! You can read my reviews of Vabali and Liquidrom, the two most famous spas in town.
Some tips
The Berlin Welcome Card: A great way to save money on public transportation and attractions, the Berlin Welcome Card offers discounts on many of the city's top sights and unlimited travel within all 3 zones.
Consider taking a walking tour of the city to see the sights and learn about Berlin’s rich history. This is a great way to get your bearings, see multiple sights in one go and get a deeper understanding of the city’s past and present.
Best time to visit Berlin
Summer months: The warm summer months are the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities, such as visiting parks and beer gardens. It’ll be crowded though.
Christmas Market season: If you don’t mind the cold and dark, Berlin around Christmas is all sorts of magical. The city's Christmas markets are a must-visit during the holiday season, offering a festive atmosphere and plenty of traditional German treats like Glühwein and Gebrannte Mandeln.
Spring and fall offer mild weather and fewer crowds, making them a good time to visit Berlin. During these seasons, you can enjoy outdoor activities, such as visiting street food markets and beer gardens. Spring is especially pretty with all the Sakura in bloom (around April).
Yoga Retreat Bali: Finding the Best Retreats
The beautiful island of Bali has been known in the health-minded sphere to be an incredible location for all things best spiritual retreats, meditation retreats, wellness, decadent spa treatments, veganism, palm tree house galore, and of course yoga. And when it comes to going to a yoga retreat Bali is truly like nowhere else — there is no better place to immerse in the local culture while reconnecting with your inner self. For years now, people have been flocking to the island at all stages of their yoga journey to take a break from their daily life and experience all the incredible energy and rejuvenation retreats the island has to offer to practice yoga or do a yoga teacher training.
If you think you're not advanced enough or not good enough (I hear that often), here's one of many yoga quotes I truly love: "A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms." There are yoga retreats in Bali for everyone's individual needs, and I hope this post inspires you to take your first step towards fitness retreat packages that include daily yoga sessions, an outdoor swimming pool, beautiful beaches, palm trees and other lush vegetation, and healthy food (some raw foods too) in the most beautiful setting.
With countless Bali yoga retreats and fitness retreats ranging from month-long to a day retreat, the island of the Gods and its ancient wisdom is a true epicenter for yoga, health and wellness retreats. I feel like Soulshine Bali, Azadi Retreat, and the Yoga Barn are already world-famous, but with so many other top picks Bali retreats to choose from, I narrowed my best picks down the best retreats Bali has to offer (read this for some Bali itinerary idea) to help guide you in your decision and find the best yoga retreat Bali to suit your own goals for your daily practice in paradise.
***The best time to visit Bali is from April to September, which is the dry season.
Here is some more Bali content from me:
* Eight Reasons Why Ubud is Still Awesome
* 15 Vegan Restaurants to Try in Ubud for a unique experience
* My visit to Nusa Lembongan
Yoga Retreat Bali: my 2023 picks
Bagus Jati, Ubud, Indonesia
Located right in the middle of the island, Bagus Jati Wellness Resort is a great place hidden deep in the serene jungles and rice paddies of Ubud, the heart of the island's spiritual and well-being center. The luxury Balinese villas within the Bagus Jati Health and Wellness Yoga Resort are ideal places for you to make use of the traditional Balinese healing services such as reiki, holistic counseling, vegan and spiritual nutrition, as well as of course different options for daily yoga classes and meditation practices. The retreat programs also include unique day trips and local experiences where you can immerse yourself in the culture with outings to the nearby waterfalls and treks, Balinese dance lessons, and herbal remedy making. It's no surprise the Bagus Jati Health and Wellbeing luxury yoga retreat in Ubud is recognized as the best retreat in Bali, and all over the world, perfect for anyone looking for yoga vacations in beautiful villas soaked in local cultural activities.
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Price from: $494
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (45km)
Airport pick up included? No, can be added for $27 per person
Skill Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English and Japanese
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out the healing retreat at Bagus Jati
7 Days Unlimited Yoga Holiday in Canggu, Bali
For the perfect retreat and an energizing 7 days of yoga, Canggu's wellness programs and holistic approach offer everything an ocean and yogi lover needs for a spiritual awakening. This 7-day yoga retreat Canggu is hosted at the peaceful Serenity Eco-Guesthouse in the heart of Canggu and only a few minutes away from the beach, the lovely town of Desa Seni, and the local community. The yoga retreat offers its guests up to 10 yoga classes a day in styles including hatha, vinyasa, acro, ashtanga and more. You’ll also have access to their meditation classes room for perfect meditation sessions or tai chi and a complimentary daily breakfast during your stay. Accommodation options include a mixed dorm, private single or double rooms suitable for an array of budgets. Offering an incredible location, ample time to explore your surroundings, and unlimited yoga makes this Bali yoga and meditation retreat one of the best of the best!
Duration: 7-day retreat
Price from: $71
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (10km)
Airport pick up included? No, can be added for $18 per person
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, French, Indonesian and Malay
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out retreats at Serenity Eco-Guesthouse now!
7 Days Yoga Wellness Holiday at Shanti Toya Ashram, Bali
When looking for one of the best yoga retreats in Bali, the island offers the perfect backdrop to connect with your true self with its serene rice fields and jungle views sprinkled with traditional Javanese huts. This is the exact landscape you’ll witness upon entering Shanti Toya Ashram. This 7-day yoga wellness retreat offers guests an incredible retreat package of yoga and authentic Balinese cultural experiences (The Balinese people are a delight). The three yoga styles offered at this retreat are Hatha, vinyasa, and yin yoga. Each day during this yoga treat is a little different, but every day incorporates a morning yoga practice and a Balinese cultural activity such as Balinese cooking classes or dancing classes. A perfect way to begin or end your South East Asia spiritual journey and find your inner peace!
Duration: 7 days, 6 night
Price from: $178
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (22km)
Airport pick up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English and Indonesian
Vegan Friendly?: Yes, and all organic food too
Check out retreats at Shanti Toya Ashram now!
8 Days Wellness Yoga Retreat in Ubud, Bali
Spend a rejuvenating eight days in a supportive environment in Ubud at one of the Firefly Bali yoga resorts. A perfect yoga experience for all levels and those looking to grow in their spiritual experience. Everything you’re looking for in a health retreat, Bali provides. That’s no exception at the Firefly Resort with every day of this wellness retreat involving daily yin, Hatha, or Vinyasa yoga classes. Guests are served daily organic and vegetarian meals by the friendly resort staff with unlimited herbal water. When guests aren’t doing their daily yoga practice, they’re encouraged to enjoy the surrounding rice fields by bicycle or partake in a Balinese experience such as cooking or offering-making classes. This yoga retreat in Ubud also includes cacao and fire ceremonies and one Balinese massage is included in the cost of the retreat. If daily massages are your thing, you can always book more in your free time. You're in good hands!
Duration: 8 days, 7 night
Price from: n/a
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (30km)
Airport pick up included? No, can be added for an additional fee
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English and Indonesian
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out retreats at Firefly Resort now!
4 Days Luxury Detox Yoga Holiday
For detoxifying wellness and weight loss yoga programs with a touch of luxury, Seminyak, located in the heart of Bali, offers one of the best yoga retreats in Bali: a 4-day yoga retreat that focuses on lowering stress, clearing your skin, and boosting your energy levels while keeping at its core both spiritual growth and personal growth. For four days, you will partake in a daily schedule that includes a cleanse of fresh-pressed juices and organic, raw meals. Each day you will participate in a power yoga class and cal also book extra private sessions if needed. The yoga retreat center also includes a one-time colonic treatment by a certified colonic therapist and a one-time 60-minute spa experience (or any other of their unlimited spa treatments). All guests will have a consultation with a certified nutritionist before partaking in the juice cleanse and colonic treatment. Accommodation for the four nights includes private rooms with a superior garden view. This is the ultimate wellness retreat experience and the perfect place for those looking for a life-changing detox.
Duration: 4 days, 3 night
Price from: $491
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (31km)
Airport pick up included? No, can be added for $31 per person
Skill Level: Beginner
Languages: English and Indonesian
Vegan Friendly?: Yes, daily vegetarian meals are included
Check out retreats at Blue Karma Resort now!
Pelan Pelan Yoga Vacation
Pelan Pelan offers many yoga holidays (many of them for couples!) in their idyllic setting with a beautiful outdoor pool and beautiful gardens in Canggu. Pelan Pelan Bali will give you the opportunity to experience the Balinese culture (don't miss attending a live music gig!) and its delicious food. You can also book some surf lessons. Pelan Pelan offers hatha yoga classes that will fit all levels. One of the most comprehensive retreat centers with delicious daily meals — the best place for your yoga vacation! An unforgettable experience.
Duration: 8 to 22 days
Price from: $1573
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) - 1 hour
Airport pick up included? Yes
Skill Level: All
Languages: English and Indonesian
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out retreats at Pelan Pelan now!
For more yoga retreat inspiration, here are more popular destinations:
* Best India yoga retreats
* Yoga retreat in Europe
* Yoga retreat Thailand
* Yoga retreat Costa Rica
* Womens-only retreats
* Silent and meditation spiritual retreats
Disclaimer: Some of these Bali retreat links may be affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you click through and use the service at the other end. This will never cost you any extra and helps me run this blog for your viewing pleasure!
What is Iboga? And some Iboga / Ibogaine Treatment Centers
Have you ever heard of iboga? If you're into exploring different forms of spirituality, alternative therapies, or simply interested in expanding your consciousness and spiritual development, then an iboga retreat may be worth looking into. Right after coming out of my last Ayahuasca experience, I found an email from Ryan at Root Healing inviting me to visit their facility and experience the plant firsthand and I thought, “what a great coincidence”. Or not? I do believe these powerful healing plants have a way to find you at exactly the right time on your path to spiritual growth. And although I’ve yet to make my way to an iboga wellness center to experience iboga for myself, I have fallen deep into a rabbit hole of iboga research and thought it was worth writing down my findings here.
Iboga is a plant medicine that has been utilized for millennia in ancient spiritual and medical traditions, especially in West Africa, much like ayahuasca in Amazonia. Ibogaine, a hallucinogenic substance found in iboga, has drawn attention for its possible therapeutic uses in the treatment of opioid and other drug addictions. There are now ibogaine treatment facilities that provide supervised addiction treatment as a result.
But iboga isn't just for treating addiction — many people also seek out an iboga retreat or ceremonies to explore the spiritual and personal growth potential of the substance. The my last Ayahuasca experienceexperience of an iboga journey can be intense and profound, with many people reporting powerful visions, deep introspection, and a sense of connection to the divine or to nature.
What is Iboga?
The plant known as iboga is indigenous to West African rainforests, particularly those in Gabon and Cameroon. It has a long history of use in Gabonese Bwiti religious traditions' traditional spiritual and medical rituals.
Ibogaine, a psychoactive alkaloid that is the main component of iboga, is well-known for its capacity to produce powerful and extended psychedelic experiences. The therapeutic effects of ibogaine for other disorders like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder have also been examined, as well as its potential use in treating opioid and other drug addiction (PTSD).
The iboga plant or its root bark, which is prepared in a certain method to make it ready for consumption, are the most common forms of iboga that are taken. Once the bark has been collected and prepared, it is often boiled in water to make a decoction or tea that has a bitter flavor. The water in the tea can be evaporated to turn it into a resin or powder, or it can be taken as-is. Once more, highly reminiscent of ayahuasca.
Ibogaine, the drug's main active alkaloid, can sometimes be produced by further processing iboga bark. This entails a difficult chemical extraction procedure that often calls for specific tools and knowledge.
Why do people take iboga?
The sacred medicine iboga is used for a variety of purposes, including spiritual and personal growth, as well as potential therapeutic benefits.
Iboga has been used for centuries as a sacrament in the Bwiti religion of Gabon to facilitate communication with the divine, connect with ancestors, and gain deeper insight into oneself and the world in the context of spiritual and religious practices. Iboga is viewed as a potent tool for personal growth, healing, and transformation in this context.
Iboga has recently been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in the treatment of opioid and other drug addictions. Ibogaine, the primary active compound in iboga, may help reduce withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings while also addressing underlying psychological and emotional issues that may be contributing to addiction, according to research.
Ibogaine has also been studied for its potential therapeutic uses in treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What does an ibogaine treatment look like?
An iboga retreat center is a traditional spiritual and healing practice that is often conducted by practitioners of the Bwiti religion in Gabon and other parts of West Africa.
During an iboga ceremony, the participants consume the iboga plant or a derivative such as iboga root bark or ibogaine. The entire experience of the iboga treatments may take place in a ceremonial hut or other designated space and is often led by a shaman or other experienced practitioner.
The effects of iboga can last for up to 24 hours or more, during which time the participants may experience intense physical and psychological effects. These may include vivid hallucinations, deep introspection and reflection, and a sense of connection to the divine or to nature. Participants may also experience physical effects such as tremors, sweating, and nausea.
It's important to note that traditional iboga ceremonies are led by experienced practitioners in a carefully supervised safe environment, and that using iboga outside of this context and sacred space can be dangerous and potentially harmful. It is critical to proceed with caution when using iboga and to seek out reputable, licensed providers who are experienced in administering the substance safely and effectively in a small group setting with a master healer. Make sure that the retreat you are selecting performs comprehensive medical screenings ahead of plant-assisted spiritual ceremonies.
Vetted Iboga retreat centers
Ibogaine treatment centers in Europe
Root Healing
Root Healing offers Iboga Detox Retreats rooted in the Bwiti tradition of the Bwiti people. The team at Root Healing is committed to supporting you in your healing process, letting go of the past, and finding your true self. Let Iboga heal you so you can focus on enjoying life and being more present. The retreats, held in beautiful Sintra, Portugal, combine the profound, ancient method of Bwiti ceremonies with modern medical procedures to ensure a safe and transformative experience. RetreatsPsychospiritualga ceremonies, integration day trips, orientation, spiritual baths, counseling, healthy meals, lodging, airport transfers, fireside chats, and integration talks.
Style: Psycho spiritual Iboga Retreat, Iboga Assisted Detox
Duration: 8 – 28 days
Price: €3,000 +
Closest Airport: Lisbon
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Ibogaine treatment center in America
Beond
Beong came up multiple times while I was researching Iboga Mexico options. Beond's medical team has decades of experience successfully treating thousands of people (and their families) who are trying to end their addiction with ibogaine treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction, along with other self-destructive behaviors and underlying mood disorders, including severe depression, anxiety, and trauma.
In addition to top-notch addiction medicine experts, the therapy team has a comprehensive understanding of and can effectively treat mood disorders in many clients and families. Beond's physicians, board-certified addiction medicine physicians, emergency medicine physicians, licensed psychologists, and therapeutic preparation and integration coaches use a proprietary safety protocol to provide fast and painless detoxification and guide their clients on the path to lasting recovery and transformation.
Style: Insight-Oriented Ibogaine
Duration: 10 days
Price: USD $8,500+
Closest Airport: Cancun International Airport
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Languages: English, Spanish,
Vegan Friendly? Yes
Related: My yoga retreat Mexico recommendations
I’m seeking out more options for responsible providers, such as Iboga retreats in Costa Rica or Canada (I’ve received questions about those specific ones) as I’m able to vet more centers — so stay tuned! I’ll also of course report back on my first time experience should I decide to take the plunge on my own deep healing journey and become my own healer. Much love beautiful people!
Is Collagen Vegan?
Is collagen vegan? No, it's not. Can you boost your collagen as a vegan? Yes, you can. Here's my vegan collagen guide.
If you follow me on Instagram you know that I love myself some vegan skincare products and it’s no secret that I’m a vegan supplement junkie… so a vegan collagen guide felt long overdue!
Over the recent years, collagen has become a real buzzword in the realms of beauty, health, and wellness, promising us bouncy, wrinkle-free skin and better joint and bone health. This apparent elixir of youth is infused in everything from skin creams to smoothies, and don’t even bother running a google search on ‘best collagen supplement’ because the number of results will make your head spin.
So what is this miracle thing… and is it really all it’s cracked up to be? In this blog post, I break down the facts and myths about collagen, particularly around vegan collagen supplements. Is collagen vegan? No, it's not. And that includes marine collagen. Can you boost your collagen as a vegan? Yes, you can.
Collagen for vegans is a hotly debated topic, as it is yet another one of those things that people tend to claim you can’t get with a plant-based diet. Lies… and there is even a pretty solid argument for why vegan collagen is preferable over animal produced alternatives.
So, What Even is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in humans, making up around 30% of our total protein mass. The reason why there is so much of it? It does a lot of important jobs; in fact, it basically holds the human body together. It’s in our skin (like a lot, like 75% of it), our joints, bones, tendons, even our eyes and blood vessels!
So what does it do? In short, it keeps us bouncy. The most prevalent type of collagen in our bodies (fibrillar collagen) is key in maintaining the structures of our body, which means it is both sturdy but also tensile, or stretchy. This balance of strength and flexibility is basically the sweet spot for all things in life… but to bring it back to the realm of collagen, and specifically its anti-aging and skincare qualities, it helps keep our joints juicy and skin smooth and wrinkle-free.
As I said bouncy, and not just looking youthful, but feeling youthful… it’s basically the spring in your step (and skin health and knee joints)!
How Do I Get Collagen?
The body is pretty good at making its own; however, as we age, it gets less good. Unfortunately, we start breaking down collagen quicker than we make it. It’s estimated that the breakdown begins around age 20 when we start producing around 1% less every year. However, there are a lot of variables to do with lifestyle and human genes too that affect collagen production. But it is no secret that as we age our skin wrinkles and becomes less elastic, and our joints and connective tissues start seizing up too.
So, what can be done about this? There are certainly lifestyle changes we can make to minimise increased collagen breakdown, such as wearing sunscreen, smoking less… and of course eating right.
How to Eat for Optimal Collagen
Collagen is a protein made of 19 different amino acids (if you are unsure about what essential amino acids are and how they make up proteins, then check out my blog on BCAA for vegans where I break it all down).
It is a misnomer that we need to eat animal collagen protein to create more collagen in the body. Instead, we need to make sure that we are supporting both our body’s collagen production as well as trying to preserve existing collagen with varied and vibrant plant-based foods.
It’s not always as simple as taking a supplement — the body's ability is complicated, just because we give it what we think it needs doesn’t necessarily mean we get the results we hoped for. However, when it comes to collagen there is good news! Studies, such as this one, have shown great results in improving skin elasticity, healthy hair, and health in older women after taking a collagen supplement regularly over a sustained period.
Essential Nutrients for Collagen Production
So what goes into producing and preserving collagen? You need not just the primary amino acids of collagen but the specific nutrients needed to support the collagen synthesis in the body. Key in the production of collagen are:
- Protein — a wide spectrum of amino acids make up collagen, but most prevalent are glycine, hydroxyproline, and proline
- Vitamin C
Other recommended minerals are:
- Zinc
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Biotin
- Silica
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
My advice? Eat a well-balanced, plant-based diet full of citrus fruit to make sure you get a full spectrum on the nutrients you need, but you might also want to take a collagen supplement.
This is where the myth about vegans and collagen comes in. A majority of collagen supplements are made from collagen — makes sense, because collagen contains a bulk of what the body needs to create more collagen… One major caveat, ALL direct sources of collagen come from animal products. Why? Because plants don’t need collagen, so they don’t produce it!
Wait, does that mean there are no actual vegan collagen products?!
Of course, there are!! To create more collagen the body just needs all the ingredients, i.e. those amino acids, vitamins and minerals, which the body then uses to generate collagen and thus building blocks of proteins.
It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense that you need a supplement made of collagen to produce more collagen. Want to know why? When you consume anything — food source, supplement, whatever — the body digests it. As in, it breaks it down into its building blocks (abundant amino acids, sugars, fatty acids) and then transforms it into what it actually needs! So when you take a collagen supplement, be it plant-based or otherwise, that same process of breaking it down into its basic units occurs.
What’s the Best Source of Collagen for Vegans?
I make sure I eat a healthy, balanced, vegan diet (it’s not difficult to do at all, check out my vegan grocery list if you want some guidance), but I do also use one of the best vegan collagen supplements.
Vegan Collagen Sources
It’s highly likely that you already get adequate protein in your plant-based diet, but if you are on a collagen drive, you might want to emphasise it.
Soy products are great as they are complete proteins, but also pulses and legumes, nuts etc. Legumes and nuts are also a good source of biotin so you are packing in some extra collagen-boosting power with them!
Of course, lots of fruit and vegetables to make sure you are getting the vitamins and minerals you need. Orange and yellow plants tend to be high in vitamin A, and broccoli, citrus fruits and kiwis are a good source of vitamin C. But I wouldn’t split hairs over it, eating a wide variety of fruit and veg will give you everything you need to keep your whole body working as it should.
Antioxidants help to promote the production and slow down the breakdown of collagen, so up your blueberry and green tea intake.
If you like superfoods, then spirulina and sea buckthorn are good collagen supporting choices.
Plant-Based Collagen Supplements
Vegan collagen supplements are usually called collagen builders — because they contain everything your body needs to build more and preserve existing collagen, but there is no such thing as a vegan collagen supplement.
A quality supplement contains everything needed specifically for collagen production and preservation in the ideal quantities. You may be able to take care of it solely through diet, but if you are noticing a marked lack of bounce in your skin or achy joints, it’s worth seeing if a supplement makes a difference.
Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any studies testing the efficacy of vegan collagen builders — although anecdotally (and I include myself in this) they do seem to work.
Why Choose Vegan Collagen Peptides Supplements Over Traditional Non-Vegan Ones
There are also additional benefits of using a vegan alternatives collagen builder. A majority of non-vegan collagen dietary supplements are ethically culpable as they source the animal parts they use from factory-farmed animal sources. Not only does this perpetuate animal cruelty, but they also have a larger carbon footprint as a result.
Also, many of the popular supplements have been found to contain a toxic heavy metal. One study on popular brands of bone broth, which is rich in collagen, by independent body Consumer Wellness, found trace amounts of antibiotics, insecticides, and pharmacological drugs in the majority of products available.
So when you weigh everything up it’s clear to see that vegan collagen builders and supplements are a much better choice.
Recommended Vegan Collagen Boosters
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links.
If you are desperate to make one of those collagen smoothies you see all over Instagram, then SunWarrior Collagen Building Protein Peptides has my vote.
If you prefer a capsule form, then Garden of Life’s collagen builder is one of the few non-powders that gets good results.
Skincare and Collagen for Vegans
When it comes to collagen, you are more than what you eat. Free radicals in sun damage and smoking are major collagen destroyers, so if you don’t already incorporate a high factor SPF into your daily skin regime, now is an excellent time to start (as is cutting down smoking…).
You might also notice skin creams and serum which are said to contain or stimulate collagen… the thing is the body needs to produce collagen inside out (through your diet) so it’s basically impossible for these to actually give your skin more collagen. HOWEVER, they do often have a plumping effect on the skin making it look juicier and dewier and reducing fine lines. I love the ones that include aloe vera as it's both soothing and plumping.
My recommendation, though, is to make sure you have a good skincare regime (which includes eating well, staying hydrated, and sleeping enough) and investing in some quality vegan skincare products that both nourish and protect the skin!
So that is everything you need to know about collagen for vegans and vegan collagen sources!
Does vegan collagen work? You gotta try and let me know! ;)
Yoga Retreat Morocco: Where To Go
I recently got back from a magical birthday trip to Morocco. It was fabulous — the accommodation, traditional Moroccan cuisine, hospitality, traditional culture, my local guide to the Sahara desert, the desert camp, just everything. Plus, there are many direct flights from Europe, making it an easy destination to get to. So for my next yoga retreat Morocco is definitely on the agenda. For years now, I have been scouring the best yoga retreats and teacher trainings in the world, but this selection of yoga retreats in Morocco is definitely up there with the best retreats and yoga holidays currently on offer.
If you are thinking of going on a yoga retreat in Europe, I recommend expanding your radius and including yoga retreats in Morocco too. As Morocco is at the northern point of Africa, it’s just a stone’s throw from Spain (literally, the distance from Tangier in Morocco to Ceuta in Spain is 15 km). This also makes it a much more convenient option if you were thinking of going on a more exotic yoga holiday to India or Bali, as not only will you get your cultural fix, but many Morocco retreats are also super affordable! So without further ado, here’s my yoga retreats Morocco guide!
Don’t forget your yoga mats and travel insurance, here’s my favorite.
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links.
Best Yoga Retreat Morocco: Where To Go
6 Day Surf and Yoga Holiday in Taghazout
If you want to learn or improve your yoga AND surfing, this is the dream Morocco retreat! You will bookend your day with energizing vinyasa yoga in the morning sessions and wind down with yin yoga, yoga nidra, and Hatha yoga in the evening, and your daylight hours will be spent on the beach with ample time for surf lessons and surf practice. Three meals a day are provided by the local host, including a picnic lunch on the beach, and most dietary requirements can be accommodated! If you are feeling sore at the end of the day, you can soothe your body with a private hammam, and if you feel like taking a day off surfing you can take a day trip to coastal city Essaouira or inland to the bustling city of Marrakech.
If you are planning a solo trip/yoga holiday in Morocco but want to make sure you will meet great people, then this is an excellent option. This Morrocco yoga retreat center is known for its warm and attentive staff and attracting a great crowd of retreat goers. Taghazout used to be a hippy stalwart but is now known for its surfing, and has a similarish vibe to Goa in India and Canggu in Bali.
Looking for more surf holiday ideas, check out my top surf camp recommendations!
Duration: 6 days (5 nights)
Price: from €375
Closest Airport: Agadir–Al Massira Airport (37 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, the organizer also speaks German
Vegan Friendly? Yes, they will happily accommodate vegans but the catering is omnivore.
4 Day Palmeraie Luxury Yoga Retreat Morocco
Looking for a little bit of luxe? The Palmerie Luxury Yoga Retreats, a beautifully designed compound with lush gardens in the countryside outside of Marrakech, will leave you renewed, pampered, and refreshed after participating in their twice-daily carefully constructed program of yoga classes in the Perumal Yoga method. A nourishing breakfast and dinner with ingredients sourced from the organic garden on the estate are supplied daily. When you aren’t practicing yoga, you can relax by the swimming pool, arrange to go to a hammam or have a massage, or even schedule some horse riding, a hot air balloon, or some bike rides. Otherwise, just enjoy the tranquil surroundings of your beautiful accommodation.
Included in the price of your retreat is a month’s access to the online Yoga with Perumal platform, which includes classes and lots of supportive texts, so you can recreate a little bit of your Morocco yoga bliss back home!
Duration: 4 days (3 nights)
Price: from €1,010
Closest Airport: Marrakesh Menara Airport (10 km)
Airport pick-up included? Can be arranged for €25
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, the organizer also speaks Italian
Vegan Friendly? Get in touch with the organizers to confirm
7 Day Uplifting Yoga Retreat in Marrakech Oasis
Another great luxury yoga retreat in Morocco. Enjoy a week of yoga, staying in gorgeous accommodation that fuses timeless Italian and Moroccan style set in stunning gardens in Marrakech. Two yoga classes a day in the Yoga with Perumal style are included to help you deep and develop your yoga practice over the week. You will also receive a month of free access to the Yoga Morocco with Perumal online video platform. Enjoy chilling in the lounge, relaxing by the pool, or a good idea is heading out to explore the souks in your free time, to a hammam, or even arrange Jiu-Jitsu classes. You can round out each day by watching the sunset over the Atlas mountains and enjoying Italian-Moroccan fusion food in a traditional Moroccan Kaidal tent followed by fresh fruit. As a vegan, I suggest doing your own research before deciding on camel rides though! You can just simply walk with them :)
Duration: 7 days (6 nights)
Price: from €1,390
Closest Airport: Marrakesh Menara Airport (21 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, the organizer also speaks Italian
Vegan Friendly? Get in touch with the organizers to confirm
14 Day Yoga and Surfing Holidays in Morocco
This two-week surf and yoga holiday is the perfect Morocco retreat to learn or advance your surf skills at your own pace with daily lessons tailored towards your surfing experience and abilities. You start the day with rooftop daily yoga, and after breakfast, head out for morning surf lessons at some of the best surf locations on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. After a picnic lunch at the beach, you can either practice your surf skills, or explore some of the nearby cities and villages from Marrakech to Taghazout, or even head out to the Atlas mountains. If you need something more chilled out, you can always go to the nearby Hammam or spa treatment for a massage. Wind down from your day with sunset yoga and delicious authentic tagines for supper… and then head to bed ready to repeat the whole thing again the next day! This two week holiday does it all: it gives you ample time to explore Morocco, learn how to surf in a perfect location, and is the perfect way to get a taste of yoga in Morocco. Combining surf with the practice of yoga if always a good idea!
Duration: 14 days (13 nights)
Price: from €1,020
Closest Airport: Agadir–Al Massira Airport (34 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, the organizer also speaks Arabic and French
Vegan Friendly? Yes, they will happily accommodate vegans, but the catering is omnivore.
3 Day Yoga Holiday in the Heart of Marrakech
I adored my stay at a riad in the old city, and if I had been able to combine it with a yoga retreat in Marrakech, that would have been the DREAM holiday. Expect gorgeous Moroccan interior design (the tiles! The textiles! The plants!), two yoga classes a day (from restorative yoga to more fiery vinyasa) either on the rooftop or in the amazingly decorated yoga shala, and delicious gourmet brunches. You can either spend the rest of the day exploring the very best of Marrakech from bartering and getting lost in the medina or Bazaars or heading to the magnificent Majorelle Gardens to explore the fantastic grounds, botanical garden, Yves Saint Laurent Museum, and Berber Museum. Looking for something a little more chilled? Then relax in the riad’s pool, private hammam, arrange a massage, or even take advantage of the in-house cooking lessons! Literally the perfect Morocco yoga holiday.
Duration: 3 days (2 nights)
Price: from €1,020
Closest Airport: Marrakech Menara Airport (4 km)
Airport pick-up included? No, but can be arranged for an extra €40
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, the organizer also speaks Arabic and French
Vegan Friendly? Yes, they will happily accommodate vegans, but the catering is omnivore.
8 Day Villa Surya - Yoga and Meditation Retreat in Imi Ouaddar
The cities of Morocco are known to be just a tad hectic… You try navigating those passages and lanes with someone trying to lure you into their shop with mint tea at every turn. But if you are looking for some serious calm and bliss for in between your yoga sessions, this is the perfect Morocco yoga retreat. This beautiful airy villa nestled in the village of Imi Ouaddar between the Atlantic coast and on the edge of a nature reserve is literally a slice of paradise. With two 90-minute yoga and meditation sessions a day in a gorgeous yoga shall by a renown yoga teacher with years of experience, a pool, sauna, and jacuzzi to unwind in, a complimentary massage, and silent meditation walks on the beach, you are in for a week of pure heaven. Also included are delicious daily nourishing vegan and vegetarian breakfasts and dinners, with a raw vegan option too! When you’ve had enough of relaxing (ha!), you can wander along one of Morocco’s most pristine beaches, have a surf lesson, take a SUP yoga class, or a day trip to Paradise Valley in the Atlas mountains, Taghazout, Essaouira, or Marrakech.
There are a lot of spectacular meditation retreats in the world, but this yoga and meditation in Morocco is definitely up there with the best!
Duration: 8 days (7 nights)
Price: from €699
Closest Airport: Agadir–Al Massira Airport (43 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, the organizer also speaks Arabic, French, and German
Vegan Friendly? Yes
So that is a breakdown of the best Morocco yoga retreats! If travel isn’t an option for you right now, check out the best online yoga courses and online yoga teacher trainings right now!
Vegan Europe 2023: my top 10 Destinations
In this blog post, I wanted to talk about my top 10 vegan Europe travel destinations for 2023.
Europe is a magnet for travelers from all over the world, and for those on a vegan diet, it definitely deserves the title of meat-free mecca continent-wide. The same is also true for travelers and those on vacation who just want to eat healthier, and do their bit for the environment and animal compassion. We don’t all have to tuck into animal products all the time, and you too can embark on a travel odyssey as part of your exploration of the mighty continent of the most vegan-friendly cities in Europe. Being a vegan in Europe has definitely become easier in recent years!
So, which are the best vegan cities in Europe for vegan travelers, the most vegan friendly countries, and the best vegan tours and vegan cuisine? Just about any of the major cities, in fact. Even the French Capital, known for its lack of vegan options a few years ago is fast becoming a fantastic vegan-friendly city and one of the best places to visit, offering amazing vegan cheese, vegan bakeries, and vegan products of all sorts. So tuck into this guide to the best vegan holiday destinations Europe has to offer and soon you could be reveling in the best vegan cities Europe has to offer.
Here are my European vegan guides:
* Vegan packing-list for Europe
* The best Apps for Vegans
* Vegan Berlin Guide
* Vegan Munich Guide
* Vegan Frankfurt Guide
* Vegan Leipzig Guide
* Vegan Hamburg Guide
* Vegan Rome Guide
* Vegan Bologna Guide
* Vegan Parma Guide
* Vegan Manchester Guide
* Vegan Stockholm Guide
* Vegan Reykjavik Guide
* Vegan Bucharest Guide
* Vegan Barcelona Guide
My 2023 Europe Vegan Travel Guide
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links.
1. Berlin
Potentially a biased opinion, but could Berlin be the best vegan city in Europe? My home for seven years now (!!), Germany's capital is home to one of the most dynamic and commercially thriving vegan scene in Europe. It now boasts well over two dozen no-meat cafes and restaurants, as well as vegan bars, vegan-friendly accommodations, an even more impressive collection of vegetarian restaurants, and an array of incredible vegan shops and even a vegan supermarket with vegan options all around. This European political powerhouse is no slouch in the vegan kitchen, with German chefs' creativity giving individual city flair to everything from burgers to pizzas, bowls, and a whole lot more. Li.ke, Kopps, and Brammibals are among the top vegan eateries not to miss. Read my full Berlin best vegan restaurants guide. I've heard many saying that Berlin was the vegan capital of Europe, and I really believe this to be true. I don't think I've ever lived in a city with such a large number of vegans, honestly. And the number of vegan restaurants keeps increasing year on year.
And whether you're a solo traveler in Berlin or with someone and want to meet fellow vegans in the city, you can head along to a monthly meeting of like-minded folk or arrange your trip to the wildly popular Veganes Sommerfest Berlin, said to be the biggest such festival in Europe and happening every August since 2007. All that aside, there's so much to do in Berlin, you'll love it! Pretty sure you can book a vegan food tour organized by local vegans too.
2. London
Poor old London may be in the grip of Brexit and all sorts of companies fleeing to safer European shores — but it’s still one of the best European cities for vegans as people are still flocking to the British capital for their fill of some of the most succulent cruelty-free fare around. One of the real charms of visiting England is its famous traditional pubs, and for vegans, the great news is there’s now a growing number catering to vegan tastes, offering vegan and vegetarian options. And in early 2018, the capital got its first-ever 100% vegan pub, the Spread Eagle, with great food catered by sister company Club Mexicana, a vegan taco favourite among foodies spending a few days in London. Heck, there's even a six-day vegan cooking class available!
3. Prague
Charming Prague, a popular weekend getaway destination for Europeans and a frequent Europe Contiki tour destination, is known for its meat-based dishes, but there's a growing number of vegan Prague cafes springing up all around this gothic-style city with a pervasive bohemian air and is fast becoming one of the most vegan friendly cities in Europe. Growth in tourism in recent times means people of all shades and tastes have been descending on the Czech Republic capital in greater numbers, and with a correlating rise in veganism, menus are changing to accommodate them. Among the handful of current Prague vegan cafes and restaurants are the not-to-be-missed Moment Kavarna, Forrest Bistro, and Pastva.
4. Warsaw
Also, one of the best cities for vegans traveling around Europe is the Polish capital Warsaw. There are tons of vegan restaurants in Warsaw, catering to all kinds of meat-free tastes. Edamame Vegan Sushi is really amazing, with their Japanese-inspired creations that look amazing. Just goes to show that this is one of the most vegan-friendly cities on the continent. Other places to consider in Warsaw for brilliant vegan fare include Vege Miasto, MomencikVegan Ramen Shop, and Leonardo Verde. Traditional cuisine such as pierogies can easily be found vegan too. Warsaw surprisingly also has many vegan-friendly fine dining options and there's also quite a lot to see a little further afield from the city. Renting a car in Warsaw is not only cheap but will allow you to visit more gorgeous cities with vegan surprises such as Lodz and Radom. My pick is Discover Car — you're sure to find a car that matches your budget!
5. Barcelona
I can’t mention some of the best cities for vegans in Europe without including the Spanish city-by-the-sea of Barcelona. This shimmering metropolis is among the biggest tourist attractions in Europe and is a place where you can combine high art, beach life — and great vegan European cuisine. While the Catalonia capital is awash with jamon and queso, here you’ll also find a world of wonderful food that will totally satisfy your vegan palate. These include VeganCat Bar, Tulsi, Eqvilibrivm Cafe, and La Trocadero. Here's my full vegan Barcelona guide. There are also amazing places to stay in Barcelona.
6. Stockholm
Stockholm was one of the few places I got to visit last year and the vegan scene, albeit, relatively small, is diverse and really exciting. From the incredible vegan fast food at Dirty Vegan to the best vegan Chinese cuisine at Lao Wai, Stockholm's compact vegan scene has a bit for every taste and will keep any vegan content for several days in a row. Scandinavia as a whole seems to be super vegan-friendly from what I've seen so far and I'm excited to go back and explore more (I've already spent some time in Malmö and it's equally super vegan-friendly)!
7. Budapest
We now come to Budapest, which is rapidly becoming a favourite destination among the health, animal-welfare and environmentally-conscious. After immersing yourself in one of the romantic city’s health-boosting outdoor thermal baths, give yourself some flavorsome lovin’ at Napfenyes Restaurant, Vegan Love, Mennyorszag Szive, or Szabad Bisztro. Wherever you end up on your vegan travel around Budapest, you’ll be hungry for more. Budapest is such a beautiful city and you won't have any trouble finding vegan breakfast, or well, anything really! Including some vegan version of some traditional dishes.
8. Amsterdam
For a super vegan holiday in Europe filled with delicious vegan food, look no further than the crazy and amazing Dutch capital of Amsterdam. In this freewheeling, anything-goes, totally-boho-vibe place you’ll be in absolute vegan heaven. And if you feel like being a bit of a slob and pigging out while on your vegan travel in Amsterdam — and why not? — gorge on burgers, fries, and more at Vegan Junk Food Bar. Hey, it’s not like you’ll be stuffing your face at Burger King. For a calmer vegan-dining experience, opt for TerraZen Centre, serving up big-portion Japanese and Caribbean dishes. And it may seem like a mission impossible, but Amsterdam's tiny vegan restaurant Men Impossible is run by just one guy, who serves up Japanese dishes except for sushi.
9. Rome
Italy has come a damn long way in terms of veganism, and I'm excited to add Rome to the vegan tour of Europe! Despite the fact that only a small part of the contemporary Romans are actually vegan, there are still quite a few places to check out downtown that specialize in vegan food. Some of the best ones include Romeow Cat Bistrot, Solo Crudo, Flower Burger, and iPhame. I have a full guide to vegan Rome that includes a lot of inside tips on what to eat and how to order vegan dishes, including some DIY tips!
10. Manchester
Now, whether or not the United Kingdom is part of Europe in your book, you do you, but Manchester fell on my radar because of a tattoo artist I have been visiting, and I was excited to discover one of the best vegan destinations and delighted to have to go back quite a few times for a rather extensive back piece tattoo! And here is a fun fact: a man called William Cowherd (the irony...) who was the minister of Greater Manchester in the 18th century was also one of the forerunners of what would become the Vegetarian Society. So there you go: the plant-based diet actually has its origin in Great Britain. No wonder there are so many amazing vegan-friendly restaurants in Manchester! You can read my full vegan guide here.
What's your favorite vegan friendly cities Europe destinations?
Planning a Detox Retreat? Here are my Recommendations
Cooped up at home feeling just a tad cabin-fever-y – has resulted in me becoming an expert at virtual travel and travel journaling. With Google as my partner in crime, I have been planning city breaks, figuring out the best spots for a detox retreat or a wellness journey, and to go off the grid, and even trawling through my own archives to re-live some of my favorite hotels and beaches.
In all seriousness, the last few years of the pandemic have been taking a real toll on my physical, psychological and emotional well-being, so when I do actually get to go on my next trip it will be a detox retreat, for complete rest and reset of my body’s systems, mental and physical health. Detox retreats are the perfect wellness experience for a fresh start at any time. It can also be a way to heal your gut from many health concerns when paired with a complete disconnect from today's world, some fitness programs, wellness facilities, therapeutic treatments, etc.
Today I wanted to share my top recommendations for detox retreats from different spots around the globe. Or, if you are lucky enough to live in one of the places I mention, then perhaps it’s time to start planning a summer detox retreat staycation, either for yourself or as a couple retreat…?
Where to go on the best detox retreats
Detox Retreat Europe Options
Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat
The Shanti-Som Detox Retreat is for those who want to achieve total wellness. The retreat is focused on detoxing the body and restoring natural health through a juice detox, a broth diet, and a colon cleanse. You can choose from a variety of specialized therapies, such as a detox footbath or body scrub. They also offer onsite health check. The program at Shanti-Som includes a colonic water cleanse that has many health benefits, including helping to remove toxins from your body, improving your immune system, weight loss, digestion, mood-boosting, and reducing the chance of developing colon cancer. This is the ultimate retreat to get you back to full health and is located in the beautiful Andalucia region of Spain, nestled in nature that is surrounded by the Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park and Biosphere Reserve.
Style: General Detox Programs
Duration: Choose from 3 to 14 days (starting any day of the year)
Price: From €465 / night
Closest Airport: Malaga (40 minutes)
Airport pick-up included? Optional
Languages: English, Spanish, French, Dutch, and German
Vegan Friendly?: yes
Check out retreats at Shanti-Som!
Detox Retreats with Root Healing in Sintra, Portugal
Curious about Iboga? Root Healing offers Iboga Detox Retreats rooted in the Bwiti culture. If you're not familiar with the history of Iboga, Bwiti is a spiritual group that originated in southern Gabon thousands of years ago and has used Iboga as their sacrament ever since. The Bwiti employ Iboga, known as the "Godfather of all plant medicines," for bodily healing, spiritual healing, and spiritual exploration.
The team at Root Healing is committed to assisting you in your healing journey, letting go of the past, and figuring out your real self. Let Iboga heal you, allowing you to concentrate on enjoying life and being more present. The retreats, which are based in beautiful Sintra, Portugal, combine the profound ancient method of holding Bwiti ceremonies with modern medical procedures to guarantee a secure and transforming experience.The retreats include two Iboga ceremonies, integration day trips, orientation, spiritual baths, counseling, healthy meals, lodging, airport transfer, fireside teachings, and integration calls.
Style: Psycho spiritual Iboga Retreat, Iboga Assisted Detox
Duration: 8 - 28 days
Price: 3,000 +
Closest Airport: Lisbon
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out retreats at Root Healing now!
5 Day Yoga and Juice Detox Retreat, UK
This award-winning UK detox retreat haven is a luxed-up farmhouse, located in the rolling green pastures of the Sussex countryside. It has something for everyone with multiple different accommodation options to suit all prices, from twin share rooms to luxury eco-cottages and treehouses. It also has different nutritional options with raw vegan food as well as juices to boost your immune system, and a range of classes and sessions to take care of the body and mind, including yoga, meditation, as well as life coaching and NLP workshops. If you are looking for a detox retreat with a complete holistic health emphasis then this one if for you. Its design means it can support you with just general well-being or can be focused on physical conditions such as IBS and fibromyalgia –– on top of promising a psychological and emotional cleanse and reset.
Style: Juice Fasting, Colon Hydrotherapy Detox, Raw Food Detox, Alkaline Colon Cleanse, Liver Cleanse, Skin Cleanse, Vegetarian, Mindfulness & Detox Spa
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Price: From €808
Closest Airport: London Gatwick (38 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out detox retreats at Platinum Healing now!
4 Day Yoga and Detox Retreat in the Barcelona Mountains, Spain
This detox program and yoga retreat is small but mighty, with over five hours of restorative yoga classes, meditation, and pranayama practices and workshops every day. The retreat center is a rustic villa that has been renovated with great care to not only protect its original character and enhance sustainability but make sure it is in harmony with the natural surroundings of the UNESCO protected national park in which the villa located. Free time can be spent trekking, biking, or just taking a gentle hike in the nature that surrounds you, visiting the local town, or lounging by the outdoor pool at the villa. If beach time is important to you then you are only half an hour’s drive from the sea, and it’s possible to book massages and holistic wellness treatments in advance. Three vegetarian and vegan meals per day are provided. The perfect mini reset especially when paired with a daily massage, and if like me you believe in balance, you could always add a weekend in Barcelona onto that (if you do, check out my vegan Barcelona guide), the perfect place for a little getaway.
Style: General Detox Programs
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights (perfect for long weekends away)
Price: From €325
Closest Airport: Barcelona (53 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Languages: English & Spanish
Vegan Friendly?: Yes (and it's all organic foods too!)
Check out detox retreats at Omshanti now!
Detox Retreats USA and Central America
14 Day Rainforest Cleansing Retreat, Costa Rica
Daily yoga, check. Hot springs, forest bathing, and waterfalls, check. Swimming pool and hot tub, check. Naturopath consultation, check. Vegetarian food and juices, check. Spa treatments, including hydrotherapy and a sweatlodge, check… and the list just keeps going. Even without all of that, who would say no to two weeks in the Costa Rican rainforest? Everything about this retreat sounds like perfection, and given its length, it is definitely one of the more budget-friendly options. While in Costa Rica, consider also experiencing the magic of an ayahuasca retreat.
Style: Juice Fasting
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Price: From € 1,309
Closest Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (76 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out detox retreats at Essence Arenal Wellness Resort now!
6 Days of Kundalini, Meditation and Spiritual Bliss in Hawaii
Hawaii has been on my bucket list for a while and since discovering this retreat it’s jumped closer to the top. I mean, what better location to experience the benefits of the best wellness retreats in the world? Located by the beach these detox holidays promise a complete spiritual immersion with Kundalini yoga, crystal bowl sound healing, meditation, and yoga philosophy lessons led by a healer and shaman. Oh, and to take care of the body, as well as the mind and spirit, there is a private chef who can accommodate all dietary requirements and the option to include a three-day juice cleanse to help you reach your wellness goals. Not only is there beach and yoga, but a gym and swimming pool on-site for when you want to mix it up.
Interested in some serious soul healing on mainland USA? Check out this four-day retreat in the Arizona desert and also those self-love affirmations to get you ready.
Style: Juice Fasting
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Price: From €1,794
Closest Airport: Kahului Airport (14 km)
Airport pick up included? Yes
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out detox retreats in Hawaii now!
Detox Retreats Asia
15 Day Energy Levels Booster Detox Retreat, Thailand
The islands in the Gulf of Thailand are some of my favorite places in the world, with their white-sand beaches, crystal clear sea, and incredible food and fruit. This retreat is my current pick of the bunch in this region. Don’t be put off by the fact it sells itself as a weight loss retreat, it just offers some more dynamic fitness options, such as hiking, cycling and Muay Thai, as well as daily yoga and meditation classes. It has a health food cafe on-site, which is mainly plant-based with raw vegan and vegan options, as well as some flexitarian dishes if that’s your thing. There is both beach and jungle nearby, as well as a pool, sauna and ice bath (if a Wim Hof element appeals) at the retreat center. This detox retreat offers rejuvenation for the body, which will no doubt leave you happier and healthier in mind, heart and spirit.
Check out my recommendations for Thailand retreats here.
Style: General Detox (fitness getaways)
Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
Price: From €755
Closest Airport: Samui (10 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out detox retreats at Visit Natural Detox Resort now!
11 Day Sustainable Yoga, Ayurveda and Detox Retreat, Sri Lanka
If you are looking for a detox retreat that aligns with mindful and sustainable travel then this eco-retreat center, located on a plantation in a village in Sri Lanka that supports both the natural environs and the village community is ideal. The retreat is built around principles of Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India and the natural complement to yoga. You will have a consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor, daily Ayurvedic treatments which often include massages, daily yoga and meditation, and lots of rest or activity time. The meals are made with food that is grown on-site in the fruit, vegetable, and herb gardens, as well as a paddy field. Guests are able to join in picking and harvesting the produce, and there are also cookery demonstrations. Heaven.
Style: Spices Detox, Ayurveda
Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
Price: From €1,334
Closest Airport: Bandaranaike International Airport (73 km)
Airport pick-up included? Available for additional € 58 per person
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out detox retreats at Plantation Villa now!
Ayahuasca Retreat 2023: My recommendations
So you’ve decided you want to embrace ancient shamanic plant medicine by heading to an Ayahuasca retreat in 2023 but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place.
Deciding to take the plunge into your first Ayahuasca retreat is a pretty big deal (it's a very transformative experience), and deciding which retreat to go to is an even bigger one. Some will say let the medicine call you on your path to personal growth, you'll know when the time is right — and I have to agree. You’ll have many questions. I certainly did when I had my first Ayahuasca experience. I've since done a second Ayahuasca retreat this past year and it was truly a life-changing experience, especially on the last day at the end of the retreat. Just like Lindsay Lohan said it would be :P Jokes aside, I see a huge potential in this with regard to how Western medicine is evolving around the topic of treating mental health.
What can I expect from an Ayahuasca retreat on my first ceremony? Where can I find the best retreats? Will it be a highly hallucinogenic experience? How do I choose the right Ayahuasca retreat centers for myself? And what about iboga?
Below I’ve put together as much information as possible about Ayahuasca retreats and their spiritual practice as well as a number of Ayahuasca retreat 2023 recommendations (make sure there are no travel restrictions and that you get your travel insurance), including many Ayahuasca retreat Europe destinations, as well as the best Ayahuasca retreat USA 2023 or nearby spots.
If you're in search of some Ayahuasca retreat Berlin 2023 options, it's a tricky one for sure, but they do exist if you know where to look. Alternatively, the Netherlands or Spain are good options where such things are often legal or at least more tolerated than in Germany.
What is Ayahuasca?
First things first, what actually is Ayahuasca?
The Ayahuasca plant is a psychoactive brew that can date back over 1,000 years in South America and was traditionally used by ancient Amazonians and indigenous people to aid deep healing and in spiritual and religious practices. The natural plant medicine often dubbed the "vine of the soul" is made by boiling together the leaves of the Psychotria Viridis shrub with the stalks of the Banisteriopsis Caapi vine.
The leaves of the Psychotria Viridis plant contain a natural hallucinogen known as DMT (N.N.-Dimethylptamine), while the Banisteriopsis Caapi Ayahuasca vine contains MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) called beta-carbolines that stop the body from breaking down DMT, allowing its effects to work.
The combination of these ingredients creates a powerful psychedelic brew that causes its drinkers an altered state of consciousness which usually includes out-of-body experiences, visual and auditory hallucinations, and feelings of euphoria. It can be some of the most transformative life experiences and even induce physical healing for some, but medicinal plants are no recreational drug. Please do your research and treat the plant with great respect before embarking on your Ayahuasca journey of the spirit world.
Why do people go on an Ayahuasca Retreat?
While Ayahuasca has its origins in ancient Amazonian ceremonies, the psychoactive brew has more recently become a focus of spiritual tourism and general plant medicine healing.
Ayahuasca is a natural healing medicine and is praised for its ability to help users access repressed memories, increase self-awareness, let go of past traumas and negative thoughts, and feel more connected to the natural world through heightened states of consciousness. Describing the exact effects of Ayahuasca is difficult as everyone's journey is different, but many people come away from the experience with profound realizations about themselves and the world around them and a sense of spiritual awakening.
The Shamanic medicine is now also believed to have many long-term health benefits, including reducing depression and anxiety, as well as treating PTSD, sexual abuse trauma, substance addiction, and more. What better way to venture into the fascinating world of psychedelics than with these powerful medicinal plants?
A pretty impressive resume for a simple Ayahuasca brew! Makes sense why more and more people are choosing to go on Ayahuasca retreats as part of their healing process and why more and more recent research and clinical trials are turning to Ayahuasca to help patients with resistant depression and traumatic stress disorder — and the significant improvements found have been amazing.
With Ayahuasca being illegal in some countries such as the USA, Canada, and the UK (so sadly I don't have any specific Ayahuasca retreat UK (specifically Ayahuasca retreat London) or Ayahuasca retreat in USA recommendations for you, but if you're willing to travel, I think it's the best option), Ayahuasca retreats also mean that people from all around the world can travel to a safe setting and experience the substance’s transformative effects without resorting to any sketchy underground Ayahuasca dens back home.
What happens at an Ayahuasca Retreat?
An Ayahuasca healing retreat is somewhat like a yoga retreat in that a group of people comes together to go through a spiritual journey under the care of qualified and experienced teachers and support staff. Except in an Ayahuasca retreat, guests also take part in Ayahuasca ceremonies led by indigenous shamans, also with years of experience.
During an Ayahuasca ceremony, which commonly takes place at night, a shaman prepares the sacred brew and gives it to retreat participants who gather in a safe sacred space. The effects of Ayahuasca (also called mother Ayahuasca, or Mama Ayahuasca by many because it is known to give a very motherly life-changing experience) usually take around 30 minutes to begin and can last for around 5-6 hours.
While the Ayahuasca ceremonies may be the focus of many retreats, most also combine them with ceremonies using other "Master Plants" - plants used in natural shamanic medicine - as well as the healing arts of yoga sessions, meditation, massage, music, sound bath, and the grounding of Mother Earth to aid the overall transformation process in a safe space. They can be held in small or larger groups.
Almost every Ayahuasca retreat will also include participants undertaking a special detoxing diet before and during the retreat which includes cutting out most meat, caffeine, alcohol, spices, dairy, citrus, and refined sugars in order to prepare your body for the medicine ceremonies.
Read my first Ayahuasca experience for a breakdown of what goes down and Ayahuasca retreat reviews, but do know that Ayahuasca has a purging effect and there will be little puke buckets and a roll of toilet paper as part of your experience :P Spoiler - mine was an amazing experience that's had many positive effects on my life.
Recommended Ayahuasca Retreat 2023 Centers
During an Ayahuasca ceremony, you’ll be putting your physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing into the hands of the shaman and the retreat organizers. That’s a lot of responsibility right? This is why it’s best to do your research in advance and stick to the most reputable and recommended Ayahuasca retreats to feel like you truly are in a safe environment.
When it comes to choosing an Ayahuasca retreat, there are a few main things to consider and these are the best ways to feel at ease with this new experience. These include the reputation of the retreat center, the experience and qualifications of the shaman, the type of other guests who will be in the retreat and taking part in the ceremonies with you, the other natural medicines used - are you comfortable taking part in these too? - and the other activities and facilities available at the retreat — because there are some luxury ayahuasca retreat options and some more basic ones.
Below are a few of my recommendations for the best Ayahuasca retreats around the world to get you started.
Ayahuasca Retreat 2023 in the Americas
Spazio Buzios Brazil
Let’s be honest - the idea of trying Ayahuasca for the first time can be a little daunting, and that might be the reason why so many of my US readers are landing here in search of an Ayahuasca retreats USA destinations. It’s totally understandable if you’re not comfortable immersing yourself immediately into nightly ceremonies in a hut in the middle of the Amazonian rainforest - it’s a bit of a step up from your average detox retreat.
If you’re looking for a soft introduction to Ayahuasca and Santo Daime in South America, this Brazil Ayahuasca retreat is one of my top recommendations. Set in a cozy guesthouse in the beautiful coastal resort town of Armação dos Búzios, this six-day Ayahuasca retreat offers a single Ayahuasca ceremony - in a small group under the guidance and open arms of a respected shaman - combined with plenty of other wellness activities including twice daily yoga, meditation, massages and reiki. Plus, the retreat also includes excursions around the beautiful beaches and islands of Búzios so you can enjoy some fun and exploration in between ceremonies. Definitely one of the best Ayahuasca retreats in the natural beauty of South America for those who are new to Shamanic plant medicine. A fantastic way to take care of your mental health and get away from your daily life.
Style: Yoga and Ayahuasca Retreat
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Price: From $1,131
Closest Airport: Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (133 km)
Airport pick up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner
Languages: English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Vegan Friendly? Yes
Vikara Lifestyle Ecuador
The only sacred plant medicine retreat center right on the beach in Ecuador, Vikara offers luxury Ayahuasca healing retreats that combine the healing properties of the ocean with the transformative powers of natural medicine to offer guests a life-changing spiritual experience. At their nine-day retreat you’ll be able to experience the profound transformative qualities of two ayahuasca ceremonies, along with the healing effects of other natural medicines through the San-Pedro ceremony - which uses Huachuma, another psychoactive hallucinogenic plant - and the Mexican Temazcal - sweat lodge - ceremony for purification and rebirth. The resort also features an outdoor swimming pool and yoga shala overlooking the ocean to take care of your body as well as your mind on this highly recommended Ayahuasca retreat. Another good one to look into is Gaia Sagrada.
Style: Yoga and Ayahuasca Retreat
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Price: From $1,332
Closest Airport: José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (105 km)
Airport pick up included? No, but can be added for $81 per person.
Skill level: Beginner and intermediate
Languages: English, German and Spanish
Vegan Friendly? On request
Huamanwasi Ashram, Peru
Experience Ayahuasca where it first originated by immersing yourself in the magical Amazon jungle and the sacred valley of Peru, surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes rich in a variety of plants and animal species. Where better to connect fully with the natural world? Huamanwasi Ashram is home to one of the best Ayahuasca retreat options Peru has to offer, with 14 days to clarify and purify your mind, body and emotions through daily yoga and meditation, medicinal plant baths and ceremonies evoking the healing powers of the ancient Amazonian Master Plants of ayahuasca, wachuma and yawar panga. Look no further for a safe, accommodating, and transformative Ayahuasca retreat in Peru.
Style: Ayahuasca and Yoga
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Price: From $1,592
Closest Airport: Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes Airport (15 km)
Airport pick up included? No
Skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Languages: French and Spanish
Vegan Friendly? On request
Kula Collective, Guatemala
For those looking for an Ayahuasca retreat USA location, South American countries' retreat centers might be your closest option as Ayahuasca is not currently legal in the United States. Awaken your inner truth at this transformative yoga and Ayahuasca retreat in Guatemala. The retreat is run by Kula Collective at The Yoga Forest, a young, dynamic earth-based spirit community. Through daily yoga, meditation, reiki, and other healing arts on the edge of sacred Lake Atitlan, surrounded by towering volcanoes, you’ll learn to live in the present moment and purge the physical and emotional blockages which are holding you back, followed by ceremonies using ayahuasca, washuma, and medicinal mushrooms to cleanse yourself on a spiritual level, aid your journey of self-realization and help manifest your dreams. This full shamanic cleanse is guaranteed to help you get as much as possible out of your ayahuasca experience.
Style: Ayahuasca and Yoga
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: From $1,466
Closest Airport: La Aurora International Airport (80 km)
Airport pick up included? No, but can be added for $94 per person
Skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Languages: English, Sanskrit and Spanish
Vegan Friendly? On request
Ayahuasca retreat recommendations in Costa Rica
Ayahuasca Retreat Europe 2023
Ayahuasca retreat in Barcelona, Spain
Imagine this: you're laying down next to a tree, in front of the lake. It's 7am and you just walked out of the best night of your life. Your breath is fuller, your heart more open as you accept that you're loved. If I had to describe Avalon, it would be this precise feeling. Avalon is a retreat center found near Barcelona (incidentally, do check out my vegan Barcelona guide!), in a place designed for celebration: 6.5 hectares of elegant gardens, tall trees, a breathtaking lake, and a flour mill restored to pamper all one's senses.
Designed for self-discovery and deep healing journeys, Avalon brings together the ancestral wisdom of sacred medicine and modern therapy. Ayahuasca, Bufo Alvarius, and Kambó are being shared ceremonially by highly experienced shamans, trained according to various indigenous traditions. Expect to feel truly held in a safe space as the ceremonies include 6 to 9 people trained to hold space, including a medical advisor.
Avalon's strong point is its integration program led by a trained psychologist and a team of 25 people - all there for you through practices such as - yoga, energy therapies, healing massage, hypnotherapy, silent ecstatic dance, and holotropic breathwork, just to name a few. Avalon carefully guides your entire journey. They'll start by answering any questions you might have about plant medicines, and offer pre-guidance and post-integration, not to mention the individual guidance session and four integration workshops during your stay.
Style: Holistic Ayahuasca Retreat
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights or 4 days / 3 nights
Price: From $1,950
Closest Airport: Barcelona Airport (152 km)
Airport pick up included? Yes
Skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Languages: English and Spanish
Vegan Friendly? Yes
Malaga, Spain
Although Ayahuasca may have originated in South America, and many people do still choose to travel there to take part in Ayahuasca ceremonies - USA-based travelers in particular due to its closer proximity - the increasing popularity of natural plant medicines has seen ayahuasca retreats pop up all across the world, including many much closer to home here in Europe.
This six-day Ayahuasca retreat Spain 2023 option includes three Ayahuasca ceremonies led by an experienced Peruvian shaman, as well as daily hatha yoga, a sanango ceremony in which eye drops are used to cleanse eyes and mental processes, and a rapé ceremony using a traditional herbal blend for detoxing both mind and body and getting rid of bad energy. Malaga may sound like an unusual place for a spiritual healing retreat, however, the experience takes place in a charming villa set within 400 hectares of beautiful private countryside, with its own olive grove, vegetable garden, and lake for taking long walks amongst Mother nature, plus a swimming pool, outdoor terrace and badminton court for relaxing in your spare time.
Style: Ayahuasca and Yoga
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: From $1,466
Closest Airport: Málaga Airport (8 km)
Airport pick up included? No, but can be added for $100 per person
Skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Languages: English and Spanish
Vegan Friendly? Yes
Ayahuasca retreat Portugal
Set in a clifftop villa overlooking the ocean in Portugal's stunning Algarve, this six-day European Ayahuasca retreat includes transformative Ayahuasca ceremonies with a Peruvian shaman, daily yoga and rapé sessions, a kambo ceremony, san pedro ceremony, and sananga ceremony. Then, in your free time, you can make the most of the retreat's idyllic location by exploring the area's many scenic hiking routes, surfing on one of the little hidden beaches or simply staying back and enjoying the outdoor pool and terrace with amazing views along the coast. A unique feature of this ayahuasca retreat is that you can also take part in two special 90-minute educational courses with the resident shaman, who has worked with Master Plants in the Amazon rainforest for over 20 years, to help you fully understand the history, traditions and processes behind the ceremonies you’re taking part in. Perfect for the more inquisitive spiritual traveler like myself. A fabulous Ayahuasca Portugal option.
Style: Ayahuasca and Yoga
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Price: From $1,370.
Closest Airport: Faro Airport (40 km)
Airport pick up included? No
Skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Languages: English and Portuguese
Vegan Friendly? Yes
inner-journey, Netherlands
Combining sacred plant medicines with another of my favorites - a silent retreat - this unique Ayahuasca Europe retreat in the Netherlands is dedicated to helping people overcome trauma, no matter what type or to what degree. It may be a little pricier than other retreats but it’s certainly worth it for the program which is packed with shamanic medicinal ceremonies, healing therapies with specialist trauma therapists and other activities to aid you in your spiritual healing journey. The silence will give you the opportunity to really listen to and process your thoughts away from the noise and distractions of everyday life, while the schedule of ayahuasca, magic mushroom, kambo, sacred cacao, rapé and sananga ceremonies will aid in cleansing negative thoughts, toxins and energies, leading to deep spiritual and mental healing. If you're on the lookout for Ayahuasca Berlin 2023 ceremonies, this is the closest "legal" option. For those looking for an Ayahuasca retreat London option, this is perhaps your best bet.
Style: Ayahuasca and Yoga Silent Retreat
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Price: From $2,995.
Closest Airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (13 km)
Airport pick up included? No, but pick up from Haarlem Train Station is
Skill level: Beginner, intermediate and advanced
Languages: Dutch and English
Vegan Friendly? Yes
Ayahuasca Ibiza 2023
Ibiza might not necessarily be the first destination that comes to mind when you’re planning a healing spiritual retreat, but hear me out. Set in a beautiful house secluded in nature with an outdoor pool, garden and large deck for yoga practice, Villa Chaya is the perfect spot for embracing the natural world and connecting with your inner self on this seven-day Ayahuasca retreat. Led by two qualified yoga teachers from Peru and Argentina, you’ll take part in daily yoga classes, shakti dance sessions, and mindfulness and breathwork workshops, all leading the path to the ancient medicine ceremony which will help you boost your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and awareness in a supportive space. Ayahuasca Ibiza 2023? Don't mind if I do...
Style: Ayahuasca and Yoga
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Price: From $1,000
Closest Airport: Ibiza Airport (16 km)
Airport pick up included? Yes
Skill level: Intermediate
Languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish
Vegan Friendly? On request
My Guide to the Best Vegan Restaurants in Barcelona
Think there aren't any vegan restaurants in Barcelona? Think again!
I kinda knew I would fall in love with Barcelona. Beyond being a wonderful city filled with amazing sights and people, Barcelona is of course known for its incredible cuisine, with surprisingly plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians alike. Whether you're looking for gourmet vegan food, vegan junk food, vegan tapas, or anything in between, Barcelona definitely has it all. Below are my vegan Barcelona highlights.
The Best Vegan Restaurants in Barcelona
Quinoa Vegan Street Food
Don't be fooled by the healthy-vegan-sounding name or small interiors, Quinoa Vegan Street Food packs a punch and is a must-visit for vegan foodies in Barcelona. Located in the wonderful Gracia neighborhood, this vegan restaurant Barcelona staple focuses on plant-based comfort food. You'll find a variety of dishes on the menu, including bowls, wraps, veggie burgers, and tacos. The standout dish for me was their beyond-meat-loaded nachos. Honorable mention for the kimchi tacos. Amazing.
Bubita Sangria Bar
What would be a vegan Barcelona guide without a fully vegan tapas and paella place?! Bubita Sangria Bar delivers on that front and then some — they have a full-fledged vegan menu of amazing sangria to pick from along with their paella. I shared the marisko (plant-based seafood) paella and frida sangria (cava, lime & tequila, with a spicy touch), along with some patatas bravas (I got into the habit of ordering them everywhere if they were vegan — I mean, spicy, saucy, potatoes, enough said) with a friend and all of it was excellent. The place is cute and the staff super friendly. El Born is a fantastic neighborhood to discover as well. Being vegan in Barcelona is so far great!
Honest Greens
I feel like I can't avoid talking about Honest Greens however cliché it may be. Everyone knows about it and it's likely the #1 recommendation when discussing vegan restaurants in Barcelona. And with good reasons! Honest Greens is a health-food restaurant that specializes in salads and bowls (not only vegan dishes though, so beware). The menu is filled with a variety of salads, grain bowls, soups, juices, and healthy raw food desserts. The standout dish for me was the Latin Lover bowl (brown rice, warm beans, kale, coriander, red cabbage, corn, onion, avocado, crispy corn tortilla, cucumber, homemade pickled jalapeños, and pico de gallo — I have to try to recreate it at home because it's incredible). I must have had it about 10 times in my month in Barcelona. For some reason, everyone that works at any Honest Greens is hot AF also. I dunno. It's got a lot going for it :P
Rekons
I hadn't done my homework and didn't realize that Argentinians ruled the place (including Tinder...) until I got to Barcelona. I was not mad about this discovery. Rekons was my favorite place for affordable and delicious empanadas. Located in lively Sant Antoni, Rekons is the perfect place to end a boozy evening and enjoy some steaming hot empanadas on the sidewalk like the locals. The menu offers quite a few vegan options such as spinach, courgette with almond, vegan cheese, caramelized onions with vegan cheese, and ever-changing daily options. All for under €3 a pop and many of them are vegetarian too. Be sure to order the patatas bravas and fried artichokes — they are incredible. Doused with a few more beers and Bob's your uncle. A great value spot.
Cafe Equilibrium
Cafe Equilibrium is a trendy fully vegan cafe that serves up delicious, healthy food in the heart of Eixample. The menu is filled with a variety of dishes, from vegan breakfast items to hearty salads and soups. They also offer smoothies and fresh juices to help you get your daily dose of vitamins. If you're looking for a place to grab a quick, healthy bite, Cafe Equilibrium is a great option. I had the savory buckwheat pancakes a few times and they were really yummy!
Areca Bakery
Back to my beloved Gracia. Areca Bakery is a vegan bakery that specializes in delicious, plant-based donuts. The bakery is known for its high-quality ingredients, including gluten-free and organic options. If you're looking for a healthier sweet treat that won't disappoint your taste buds, Areca Bakery is the place to go. Donut flavors include white chocolate and matcha, maple pecan, chai and lotus cookie, and my favorite of all — glazed pistachio cream.
Chez Kessler
Another thing I didn't know until arriving in Barcelona is how ubiquitous vermouth it. What I thought to be a mere cocktail ingredient is here celebrated standalone, front and center, on the rocks, and often even made onsite. Chez Kessler is one of those places where you can enjoy a delicious homemade vermouth along with incredible fully-vegan charcuterie boards. It's a little bit pricey but super worth it for the quality of everything. The homemade cashew cheese selection was amazing, especially the blue cheese.
La Pepita
La Pepita is also a pretty well-known place on the Barcelona tourist map, but I wanted to mention it because I thought they somehow won the Barcelona vegan tapas game even though they are not a vegan restaurant at all. I visited alone on my birthday and had the guacamole and cold asparagus tapas along with a glass of sangria and, although a little pricey, it was really delicious. Add this to your list also if you're specifically looking for Catalan specialties. Great music, cute waiters, what more do you need? ;) An excellent place.
La PerraVerde
I stumbled on La PerraVerde completely by accident on my way to get donuts and was compelled to make space for a quick meal as it sounded really good - a fully vegan place serving a daily menu of vegan croquettas in cute little tins, tapas, cheese platters, etc. All vegan. So I did what I had to do — I had a full meal, for science, ya know. It was really good! I really recommend the croquettas and the cheese plate - they're all amazing, and beautifully located in Gracia. Just all around good food.
Demasié
Demasié is a local bakery that makes gigantic cookies and cinnamon rolls, the former with a few vegan options and the latter all vegan. The cookies are about the size of your head and should pretty much make a meal in an out of themselves. At the time of my visit, the vegan options were lotus cookies and chocolate. A cookie cookie, good shit. It's worth stopping by for an afternoon munch — the neighborhood is lovely too.
Almalibre Acai Bar
Acai bowls are a popular trend in the world of vegan food, and Almalibre Acai Bar is one of the best places in Barcelona to try them. The menu is filled with a variety of acai bowls, smoothies, and juices, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Unfortunately I was on a contradictory mood that day and went for a burger instead of an acai bowl — which was OK but not mind blowing. I'm told that the acai bowls are really bomb though!
The Cream
Again, I stumbled on The Cream Bcn completely by accident and was drawn in, because: all-vegan cake and ice cream shop. I walked out with some churros (kinda hard to find in vegan version, turns out) and they were pretty damn good. Had some with the caramel and some with the chocolate sauce. They also have a full fledged menu of ice cream concoctions and many different cakes and cookies. The space is very small, I think there are only 2 seats, so it's best to take it to go. I took my churros to the beach and was a very happy duck anyway.
Petit Suc
Petit Suc cold-pressed juices was a short walk to my place and the gym so I ended up getting fresh fruits juice there all the time. The interior is lovely and they have a selection of vegan cookies to pick from, making it a great healthy vegan and vegetarian food breakfast-on-the-go spot. They also have protein shakes, coffee, matcha, and chai latte. Perfect for a quick bite after the gym.
CHÖK
When I first walked into CHÖK I initially thought everything was vegan and nearly had a heart attack. Alas, only a small portion of the amazing pastries on offer is vegan, but it is definitely still worth the detour. Front and center are the kronuts, a croissant-donut frankenpastry I'm still dreaming about to this date. If you're a fan of homemade desserts, this is the place for you. Conveniently scattered across town.
Gabby's Brunch
I only explored a bit of Poblenou on my last day in Barcelona and had mild regrets. It's a wonderful neighborhood right by the beach with a few less tourists and amazing restaurants and thrift stores. I had amazing vegan pancakes at Gabby's Brunch and would recommend making a pit stop if you're around. There are definitely a few other vegan main course options on the menu. It's a lovely warm place with a quiet green spot at the back.
So my friends, this is all I could manage to eat in my month in the wonderful city of Barcelona. These are just a few of the many vegan and vegetarian options available in Barcelona. Whether you're looking for a healthy brunch or a tasty junk food fix, there's something for everyone in this vibrant city. Here are a few more recommendations that are high on my list for next time I visit:
- Roots & Rolls (vegan sushi)
- Vegan Cat Bar (apparently great for craft beers!)
- Kabongo (African food with many vegan options)
- La Golosa Vegan Vurger (well, for vegan burgers)
- Rasoterra (best place for vegan fine dining in the Gothic Quarter)
- Café Pediente Brunch & Drinks (for brunch)
- Flax & Kale (for a healthy vegan fix)
- Bonsai Coffee & Matcha (apparently good matcha is a rare occurrence in Barcelona!)
- Vegan Junk Food Bar Barcelona (for vegan junk food, duh)
- Gallo Santo (fully vegan Mexican restaurant)
- El Rabipelao Veggie (great place for arepas and cocktails)
- Teresa Carles (healthy vegetarian and vegan food)
As always, please let me know if I'm missing anything on this vegan restaurants in Barcelona guide (including the best vegetarian restaurants)! Aiming to make this the ultimate guide to end all guides :P
Pingala Ida Shushumna Nadi?
Are you interested in learning more about the ancient practice of yoga? Central to the yoga philosophy are the yoga Nadis — Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna Nadi being the most "famous" ones, or anyway the principal Nadis. Sooo... Ida Pingala Sushumna — what are those? Let's take a look together, shall we?
The yoga Nadis (and not only Ida Pingala Sushumna, mind you), or energy channels, in yoga are important because they are believed to carry prana, or life force energy, throughout the body. At their meeting place are the chakras. Practicing yoga is said to help clear and balance the flow of prana through the Nadis, leading to improved physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
It's good to keep in mind that yoga is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries. Just like with any old spiritual and philosophical tradition, there is a lot of out there literature on various concepts pertaining to it. I'm not saying it's of utmost importance for your yoga practice to understand who or what Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna Nadi are, but personally, the more I know, the less I feel like I'm blindly appropriating something that doesn't belong to my culture.
So What are the yoga Nadis
In a nutshell, "Nāḍī" is an ancient Indian concept that refers to the pathways through which vital energies flow. These channels are believed to link at important locations known as chakras and provide energy for our physical or gross body, subtle body, and causal body. The what, now? Let us briefly recap:
The Three Bodies
The gross body in yoga refers to the physical body, also known as the material or external body. It is considered the outermost layer of the human body and is made up of bones, muscles, tissues, organs, and also our nervous system. In yoga practices, the gross body is focused on through physical postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama) to improve strength, flexibility, and overall health.
Meanwhile, the subtle body refers to a non-physical aspect of a person that is believed to control their physical, mental, and emotional states. It is thought to consist of subtle energy channels and centers (known as chakras) that influence a person's overall well-being. Practicing yoga is believed to balance and harmonize the subtle body, leading to improved physical and mental health.
Lastly, the causal body is a concept that refers to a spiritual aspect of a person, which is considered to be the source of consciousness and the ultimate cause of all physical and mental experiences. It is thought to be the True Self, beyond the physical body and the subtle body, and to exist in a state of pure awareness. In yoga, it is believed that by realizing the causal body, a person can attain liberation and a state of union with the divine. The practice of yoga is seen as a means to reach this state of consciousness.
The Main Nadis
So, back to our Nadis, yo. Visualize thin tubes that form an interlinked web within the body, only they are intangible. Are you still with me?
It’s said that there are approximately 72,000 distinct Nadis that originate from the three primary or major Nadis: Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna Nadi. These pathways of energy or prana cannot be located physically in our body; rather they become more tangible to us as we gain a greater consciousness. As you take notice of your inner workings, you could discern these flows forming organized patterns instead of random movements. I know, that’s a bit out there.
Ida and Pingala
Ida and Pingala Nadi are two energy pathways located on either side of the spinal column that run from the base of the sacrum through each chakra point along its path to the crown chakra (aka Sahasrara chakra) at the top of our head. They represent opposite forces – Ida Nadi (the left channel) being feminine or lunar energies while Pingala Nadi (the right channel) is masculine or solar energy – which come together to create energy balance within us physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, energetically as well as psychologically.
By understanding these two pathways stemming from the base of your spine, we can better understand how our bodies respond to different postures during our practice as well as gain insight into why certain poses feel more challenging than others do. Additionally, we can use this knowledge to make conscious changes in our practice, allowing us to work more effectively with our bodies and achieve greater results.
To access the full potential of yoga, it’s important to understand both the Ida and Pingala channels and how they interact with each other. Learning about these two pathways can help you better understand your body and its needs, balance any energy imbalances, and achieve a deeper alignment in your practice. With this understanding, you can unlock the full power of yoga to improve your physical and mental well-being.
Sushumna Nadi
Sushumna Nadi is the central Nadi and the central energetic channel in the human body, according the Hindu tradition of yoga and Tantra. Shushumna Nadi runs from the base of the spine (aka the Muladhara chakra) to the crown of the head, passing through all the central chakras along the way. One of yoga's aims is to activate and balance the flow of energy through the Shushumna Nadi, leading to spiritual awakening and liberation.
Other Nadis
There are many other Nadis in the human body, here are some of the most notable ones:
- Vama: Vama Nadi is associated with the left channel of the body and is believed to play a role in overall health and wellness.
- Vajra: Vajra Nadi is believed to play a key role in the practice of meditation and the attainment of spiritual enlightenment.
- Gandhari: Gandhari Nadi is believed to be connected to the sense of touch and the skin.
- Hastijihva: A lesser known Nadi, said to carry psychic energy from the lower limbs to the third eye chakra (aka Ajna chakra)
- Kuhu: The Kuhu Nadi is a lunar channel in Ayurveda, a traditional Indian system of medicine, that is believed to influence emotions and the mind. It is said to be associated with the waxing moon and the female reproductive system.
- Saraswati: Saraswati Nadi is a term used in Hindu spirituality and refers to an imaginary channel or river of consciousness considered to flow within an individual. It is associated with the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts, Saraswati, and is said to control the flow of creative energy in the body. The concept is part of Hindu yoga and meditation practices, where it is believed to be awakened to bring enlightenment and liberation.
- Varuni: Varuni Nadi is a Sanskrit term meaning "main channel of water". It is a term used in Ayurvedic medicine and refers to the body's fluid metabolism, including the circulation of lymph, blood, and other bodily fluids. In Ayurvedic theory, imbalances in the Varuni Nadi can lead to various health issues and it is thought that promoting balance in this channel can contribute to overall health and well-being.
- Bbrahma: Brahma Nadi is a term used in Hindu Tantra and Yoga philosophy to refer to a subtle channel in the human body that is said to connect the base of the spinal canal to the crown of the head. It is believed to be the pathway through which spiritual energy flows and is associated with the awakening of spiritual consciousness.
Is It Important to Know About the Nadis When You Do Yoga?
Kinda. I find it important to have a basic understanding of the Nadis in yoga because they play a significant role in the practice, especially as it gets deeper and more spiritual in its nature. The Nadis are energy pathways in the body and play a key role in the flow of prana (life force energy). Understanding the Nadis can thus help you deepen the connection between the physical practice of yoga and its spiritual and energetic aspects.
How to Incorporate the Nadis Into Your Yoga Practice
The Nadis, or the awareness of them anyway, can be incorporated into yogic practices in different ways, including the following ways:
- Pranayama: Practicing breathing techniques can help activate and balance the flow of energy through the nadis. Nadi Shodhanam (also spelled Nadi Shodhana pranayama), or alternate nostril breathing, is a perfect example of this: by alternating breathing from the right nostril to the left nostril, it is believed that you can balance the energy between Ida and Pingala in the body and calm the mind. (more on Pranayama here)
- Asanas: Certain yoga postures can help stimulate the nadis and improve energy flow.
- Deep Meditation: Focus on the flow of breath and energy in the nadis can be used as an object of meditation.
- Awareness: Paying attention to the sensations in your body, such as the flow of energy, can help you integrate the nadis into your practice.
- Mantra repetition: Chanting mantras can help stimulate and balance the flow of energy in the nadis.
Another great way to be in full awareness of the Nadis is by attending a Kundalini yoga class, where the Nadis are directly tackled through kundalini energy and often felt in the spinal cord.
So that’s it for the Nadis. Have I weirded you out yet?
Cover yo’ ass! Best digital nomad insurance
Unless you’re some bionic supernatural human, most likely you’ve encountered some unlucky circumstances in your life. While I wish all of you a safe trip — whether it’s for one week or one year (and especially if you're long-term travelers like me), the reality is that bad things happen, to all of us. Have I ever told you the story of my butthole abscess in Thailand? No? Well... Let's leave it at that. You already know too much. Let's just say I'm glad I had some form of digital nomad insurance then! Do you travel with a medical insurance or travel insurance plan?
Related: the best digital nomad visas for remote workers
It's not the most fun subject, but an important one nonetheless — nomad travel insurance. Do you have one? Do you need one? Which one should you choose?
Before we get into all things digital nomad insurance, let us kindly tattoo this on your brain: “better safe than sorry” and “if you can afford to travel, you can afford travel insurance”. Take those in and let’s dive right into the wonderful world of travel insurance and medical expenses for digital nomads.
Why you need insurance
Life on the road is no different than when you’re living in your home country. Okay, maybe life is a bit different, but you’re not immune to having things stolen, the flu, natural disasters, broken bones, and lost luggage. In fact, these things are even more likely to happen to you while you travel.
Traveling can deplete your immune system due to the late nights or lack of nutrition (and don't forget to take supplements!) in the local food and not every person you encounter in your hostel is as honest as you’d expect. Fever hits and things get stolen. Unfortunately, these are the realities of being a digital nomad!
If you’re a smart digital nomad (like I know you are), you’ll invest in travel insurance now rather than be hit with hospital bills and pay for a new laptop out of your own pocket later.
Travel insurance is always, always worth it!
What to look for when purchasing nomad travel insurance
When comparing travel insurance, here are some things to keep in mind:
* What type of medical careliability coverage does it provide? Aka if you damage property or another person — how much money value do they cover if you get sued? We’re getting real here, people.
* Does it cover trip cancelation or interruption? If there’s a hurricane or other natural disaster and you’re unable to fly to your destination – will they reimburse you for the plane ticket?
* Does it cover (at least some) of any lost or stolen property? As a digital nomad, you need your laptop to live! What happens if it gets stolen? How much will your nomad insurance cover, if anything?
Which insurance should you choose? What's the best option?
With those things in mind, let’s look at the three most popular digital nomad travel insurance providers out there: World Nomads Travel Insurance, SafetyWing Travel Insurance, and Passportcard Nomads.
World Nomads digital nomad travel insurance
First off is the well known and often blogged about World Nomads Travel Insurance. While I encourage you to read more into it yourself, here are the basic ins and outs of World Nomads:
* Price: Basic coverage from World Nomads starts at $120 USD/month, but their rates depend on where your home base is, the region you’re traveling to, and what type of coverage you’re after.
* What’s covered?: World Nomads' insurance offers worldwide coverage, with no specific country exclusions. Travel insurance includes any travel delays (missed, delayed, or canceled flights), lost or damaged baggage. Health coverage includes adventure sports injuries (with the Explorer Plan), unexpected injuries or illnesses, dental emergencies, hospital stays, emergency evacuation, and prescriptions.
* What’s not covered?: Any type of pre-existing condition such as cancer treatment. Routine checkups and preventive care are also not covered.
Overall: World Nomads is a solid option! They provide extremely comprehensive coverage (with two types of plans: Standard and Explorer) overall reviews are great and they work hard at making sure you’re reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses
SafetyWing’s digital nomad travel insurance
A new kid on the digital nomad health insurance block has taken the insurance world by storm: SafetyWing, a travel insurance created by nomads, for nomads. Sounds promising.
* Price: SafetyWing’s price starts at a crazy $37 USD/4 weeks!
* What’s covered?: SafetyWing includes insurance for travel delays but not missed flights. They’ll cover lost luggage but not for your pricier items such as laptops, cameras etc. Health coverage includes unexpected injuries, hospital stays, and emergency medical evaluations, and covers you for 90 days minimum in your home country (perfect for digital nomads visiting home). US Citizens only have 15 days of coverage in the United States every 90 days.
* What’s not covered by this travel insurance company?: Any type of coverage in North Korea or Iran. Injuries due to sport and adventure activities and any type of pre-existing condition such as cancer treatment. Routine checkups and preventive care are also not covered. And missed flights or missing electronic items as listed above.
Overall: Safety Wing provides great medical coverage and they plan on increasing their coverage for theft and loss and medical evacuation in the coming year.
While I've only used World Nomads for myself and I can attest that they are great, I think that SafetyWing sounds like an incredible newcomer and I'll be delighted to give them a try next time I travel abroad for an extended period of time. Have you tried any of them? Whichever one you chose, please make sure to always read the fine print of your insurance coverage to avoid bad surprises.
Passportcard Nomads
Passportcard Nomads is a monthly subscription travel insurance provider that offers international health insurance for insured nomads. They understand that when you're on the road, the most important thing is to have peace of mind knowing that you and your family members are covered from head to toe in case of any unexpected events. This is why they have created a comprehensive travel insurance policy specifically designed for nomads, providing coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellations, and more. With a price that's affordable and accessible, Passportcard Nomads is the perfect choice for anyone looking for top-notch travel insurance.
* Price: From $59/Month
* What’s covered?: Passportcard Nomads offers a range of benefits that are designed to help you stay protected while you travel. From medical expenses to trip cancellations, they have got you covered. This means that no matter what happens on your trip, you can rest assured that you have the insurance coverage you need to get back on your feet.
* What’s not covered by this travel insurance company?: Coverage for trip cancellations may not be provided for pre-existing medical conditions. It's always best to check with Passportcard Nomads directly to understand what their policies do and do not cover.
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Best Gifts Ideas for Your Spiritual Friends
Looking for a thoughtful gift for a spiritual friend or family member in your life for a special occasion or christmas gifts, but don’t know where to start? Not to worry, I certainly understand the difficulty of finding various gifts for spiritual friends who may not be all too interested in material goods. So in order to help you out, I’ve put together this handy gift guide to the best spirituality gifts that are sure to please the most hippie-dippy ones around you ;)
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
Gifts for spiritual friends: some ideas
Spirituality Course on Udemy
A great unique gift for someone who is either just discovering spirituality or looking to advance their spiritual development or spiritual healing, Udemy has plenty of fantastic spirituality courses. From simple breathwork and spiritual cleansing to full shamanic initiations, there’s a spirituality course for every type of person, no matter what stage they’re at on their spiritual growth journey. Udemy makes for a good gift because you are not gifting material things and it's such a powerful tool for learning a whole throng of new things.
A himalayan salt lamp
A salt lamp is a wonderful gift for spiritual people who need a little extra mood boost or are having trouble sleeping. Himalayan salt lamps are made from the mineral-rich pink salt mined from Pakistan's Khewra Salt Mine. As well as looking lovely and creating a relaxing ambiance in your giftee's home, they are also believed to have many health benefits. Salt lamps are ‘natural ionizers’, which means they change the electrical charge of the air around them to form negative ions. These negative ions are believed to improve air quality, increase levels of serotonin to boost mood and help promote sleep. A practical and tasteful spiritual gift idea.
A Yoga Mat
When looking for spirituality gifts ideas for yoga lovers, you really can’t go wrong with a yoga mat. A staple for every yogi, yoga mats can be used for performing yoga asanas, as well as for meditation and many other exercises. Even if your recipient already has a yoga mat, I’m sure they’ll appreciate another one anyway - I would! It's the perfect spiritual gift for active people. They may already be in need of a new mat but were waiting for the right time to dish out one. And if not, a second yoga mat is still a handy thing to keep in the car or at work when rushing to practice around a busy schedule. Manduka makes great mats, otherwise here are some cheaper options. Anything pertaining to yoga makes for spiritual wellness gifts that are sure to help anyone live in the present moment.
An Oracle Deck
Oracle decks or tarot cards are one of the best spiritual gifts for just about any spiritually-inclined curious person. They are fun and everyone can get on board with having their future read to them. I have these oracle cards myself and everyone loves getting a reading from me. There are plenty more tarot decks over here.
A Zen Garden
Another household item that makes a lovely housewarming gift for a spiritual person is a zen garden. Zen gardens are miniature versions of Japanese zen gardens, which feature natural elements such as sand, rocks, and statues. Just like their full-sized counterparts, household zen gardens promote meditation and relaxation, aid stress relief, and increase focus. They offer a calm and tranquil natural space that can be placed on a desk or elsewhere around the home. You can even make a zen garden yourself for extra thoughtful and zen gifts.
A Chakra Book
Chakras - which means wheels or disks - are the various energy focal points along the spinal column responsible for disturbing spiritual life energy - also known as Qi or Prana - around the body. The concept is found in the early traditions of Hinduism. Many spiritual practices including yoga and breathwork aim to release blocked energy in a chakra and fix the physical, mental and emotional imbalances caused by such blockages. A chakra book is a great idea for a person just starting out on their spiritual journey or wanting to learn more about this important element of spirituality. One of those essential spiritual gift ideas - spiritual books!
A Meditation Retreat
Looking to really push the boat out and find extra special meaningful gifts for a loved one? Try treating them to a meditation retreat. Whether it’s a long weekend at a spiritual retreat nearby or two weeks practicing meditation and yoga by the beach in Costa Rica, they’re sure to love it! I know I would. Plus, if you book for two people, you can keep them company and treat yourself at the same time.
A Meditation Pillow
Another staple on any spiritual gifts list and especially for meditation lovers is a meditation cushion. I love using my meditation cushion to make longer meditation sessions more comfortable. A high-quality meditation cushion is filled with buckwheat which stops it from shifting and helps you to feel more grounded in your practice. It may be a little pricer than your average cushion, but that’s what makes it such a beautiful gift.
A Tibetan Singing Bowl
Tibetan singing bowls are bowls that produce deep sounds and vibrations when hit and circled with a mallet. They’re used to promote relaxation and are believed to offer powerful healing properties including stress relief, pain relief, aiding sleep, reducing depression, and balancing and harmonizing the body. In fact, Buddhist monks have used Tibetan singing bowls in meditation practice for decades. While you can often find singing bowls used in meditation centers, yoga studios, or by music therapists, it’s less common to find them in people’s homes. Making it one of the most unique spiritual gifts if you’re looking for something a little different.
Sam Harris’ Waking Up Book
Sam Harris’ ‘Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion’ is one of my favourite spirituality books and a great positive energy gift idea. Harris’s book explores the scientific underpinnings of spirituality and offers a guide to meditation as a rational spiritual practice informed by neuroscience and psychology. The perfect gift for your atheist or agnostic friend who wants spirituality, and to partake in spiritual practices such as meditation and mindfulness, without the religious aspects. An amazing gift for anyone!
Acupressure Mat
Another great choice on the thoughtful gifts list is an acupressure mat is a great gift for a spiritual person who also loves trying out new wellness trends - like me! An acupressure mat is an at-home alternative to the traditional Chinese medicine techniques of acupressure or acupuncture. The mats contain thousands of tiny plastic spikes and are designed to target acupressure points in the body in order to reduce pain, promote relaxation and restore balance in the body, mind, and spirit. Gaining popularity over the last few years, there are many different brands of acupressure mats currently on the market, including the original shakti mat, the bed of nails mat and the convenient travel-sized spoonk mat.
Essential Oils
Last but not least on this best gifts for spiritual friends list, an essential oil kit is sure to please anyone with a spiritual practice. Oils have a great way to bring inner peace to daily life by setting the mood in a room or applying pressure points. I'm personally a big fan to get rid of negative energy and spreading only good vibes in my flat!
Curious about what you come up with for a spiritual gift for your loved ones — feel free to leave a comment with more ideas. Good luck!
The Different Types of Pranayama
Breath is the constant companion to our life journey — and yet, so often we take it for granted — unless you too are an anxious mess and struggle to fill your lungs with air when shit hits the fan — hey friend. You're not alone. Breath control exercises known as Pranayama provide us a chance to delve into this mysterious power that governs all of existence – by uniting mind and breath through mindful practices. It's an ancient tool found in many cultures around the world inviting humans everywhere on a journey of self-discovery and is often paired with yoga asanas to help get into a specific state of mind prior to a practice. I personally use various types of Pranayama early morning before my meditation practice to center myself in the present moment and clear my mind — it's the best time of day, I find. But you do you. Some types of Pranayama are also really great to strengthen the abdominal muscles (more on that below). Pranayama techniques can be really powerful in calming the nervous system down, curbing negative emotions, and allowing more self-awareness.
What is Pranayama? And the Types of Pranayama
Pranayama has been practiced for centuries and is an essential part of many people's yoga practice. The word Pranayama comes from the Sanskrit words ‘Prana’ (life force or life energy) and ‘Ayama’ (regulation). And so, in the practice of Pranayama, we synchronize our breath with a certain pattern to cultivate this life-force energy in our body.
Pranayamas are the fourth of eight limbs of yoga from Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga Sutras. In these ancient texts, Patanjali refers to the effects that can be achieved through breathing exercises prior to Asana practice. They serve to attain a state called citta vrtti nirodhah, which means the cessation of activities of the mind. Citta literally means “that which has become; that which is imprinted, that which is laid out” and includes thoughts, concepts, values, experiences, and emotions. The more movement, or vrttis, the cloudier the lens and the more rigid our view of the world. The stilling of the vrttis (vrtti nirodhah) improves our ability to understand things in and around us better and more fully with a clear mind. Only when all imprints of the ego have been overcome and silence returns is perception no longer clouded. Ain't that amazing how a simple breathing exercise can affect our mind, mental health, overall health, and entire body? I certainly think so anyway :) Pranayama yoga is also mentioned in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a classic fifteenth-century Sanskrit manual on Haṭha Yoga.
Anyway, back to our Pranayama exercises and respiratory system. There are many different types of Pranayamas each with its own unique health benefits. Let’s dive deep and break down some of my favorite and most used types of Pranayamas! Please note, I've mentioned a few times that certain Pranayama types should be avoided if you suffer from high blood pressure, but on the opposite side, regular Pranayama practice as well as deep breathing exercises can help if you suffer from low blood pressure!
Kapalabhati Pranayama
Kapalabhati (different spelling: Kapalbhati Pranayama) means 'skull shining breath', literally translated as 'shining forehead'. This type of Pranayama is beneficial for clearing sinus congestion, detoxifying the lungs, improving digestion, and calming the mind. It is performed by taking quick breaths in through the nose followed by a forceful exhale through the nose, or pumping. This type of breathing should be done for 1-3 minutes at a time with each inhale and exhale taking about half a second each. At the top of each round, I like to alternate holding my breath on full lungs, and then on empty lungs on the next one, activating the bandhas. Please avoid Kapalabhati or consult your doctor if you suffer from high blood pressure. Make sure you're sitting in a comfortable seated position for this intense yogic breathing technique as some people get a bit dizzy.
Ujjayi Breathing
Likely the most well-known form of yogic breathing, Ujjayi means 'victorious breath' and is often referred to as 'ocean breath'. It is a powerful relaxation technique that helps soothe anxiety and stress levels. To practice Ujjayi Pranayama, close your eyes and take long deep breaths in through both nostrils then slowly exhale out through both nostrils while making an ocean sound like ‘haaaaaa’ on each exhale. It might help to picture yourself first making fog into a mirror with your mouth open, then closing the mouth and repeating the same action at the back of the throat. Keep doing this for five minutes or until you feel relaxed. This is the breath that accompanies most yoga practices. It's both extremely powerful and relaxing. I love it and use it often outside of yoga in my daily life (at the dentist for example, haha).
Sama Vritti
Sama Vritti, or 'square box breathing', is an ancient Pranayama technique that brings harmony and balance to both the body and mind. By equalizing inhalations with exhalations over four steps of equal duration (in, hold, out, hold), we can easily find profound relaxation — a perfect remedy for times of stress when our minds feel foggy or disconnected from our bodies and we only have a short period of time to unwind. Releasing tension while connecting deeply within allows us to experience soul-nourishing ease in its simplest form. Sama Vritti is the perfect pick-me-up when you're feeling anxious or need to refocus your attention real quick.
Bhastrika Pranayama
Give your body a natural boost with Bhastrika Pranayama! This yogic breath of fire is an invigorating process involving rapid inhalation and exhalation that encourages increased oxygen flow throughout the body. Unlike physical exercise, this breathing technique increases oxygen levels even when the heart rate isn't pumping quickly — so no extra strain on your system but all its energizing effects! Try it next time you need to reignite your energy reserves.
To get started with Bhastrika, begin by settling into a comfortable position such as Vajrasana or Sukhasana where your spine remains erect for optimal diaphragmatic movement. Make fists with both hands then raise them up next to your shoulders before deeply inhaling – open those fists wide! Exhale slightly forcefully while bringing arms back down towards their original starting positions keeping tight fists throughout each repetition of 20 breaths. Take reasonable breaks in between rounds allowing yourself time to rest your palms on your thighs before continuing two more cycles, reaping all its rejuvenating benefits. To be avoided in case of high blood pressure.
Kumbhaka Pranayama
Kumbhaka Pranayama means breath retention or pauses in breathing. This type of Pranayama helps to build up lung capacity which in turn helps us stay calm even when stressed out. It can also help improve concentration as it involves holding your breath while focusing on your breathing process — upping your focus naturally! To perform Kumbhaka Pranayama, you need to sit comfortably in any cross-legged position and take deep breaths through your nose, hold it for three seconds or more, then slowly release it back out through your nose. Repeat this cycle ten times or until you feel relaxed. This Pranayama is the perfect companion to freediving training and can also be performed with a metronome, where you increase the retention a bit more each time. A great mind game ;)
Nadi Shodhana or Anuloma Vyloma (aka. Alternate Nostril Breathing)
Nadi Shodhana Pranayama or Anulom Vilom (or Viloma Pranayama) is an ancient practice that helps bring balance and harmony within the body. Coming from Sanskrit, Nadi translates as "channel" while Shodhana means "purification". The technique works by cleansing three main channels in our mind-body organism — Pingala infused with masculine energy on the right side, Ida imbued with feminine power on the left side, and Sushumna at the center — allowing Prana (the life force) to flow more freely throughout us.
Begin by raising your right hand in the air and performing what is known as a “Nasagra/Vishnu” mudra, although this isn't mandatory. Close off the right nostril with the right thumb, and slowly inhale from the left nostril for four seconds; now close the left nostril with the pinky finger and ring finger and hold for four seconds. Release the right nostril and exhale for four seconds; then close, and hold. Now repeat the same thing, inhaling from the right side first, and do as many cycles as possible. I personally find Nadi Shodhana very challenging because my nasal passages are never fully clear at the same time and breathing ends up feeling really hard.
Bhramari Pranayama
The practice of Pranayama known as "Brahma", derived from the Sanskrit word for bee, is a simple yet powerful way to reduce stress and anxiety while promoting mental clarity. This technique produces a low-pitched humming sound that resonates deeply within our bodies - much like the buzzing of bees! The vibration created by this hum has an incredibly calming effect on both body and mind allowing us to better cope with difficult emotions or insomnia. As if that weren't enough benefit: it can actually help regenerate tissues in your body! It's especially helpful during labor for pregnant women who will find comfort through deep meditative states. I've resorted to using Bhramari Pranayama in anxiety-inducing situations and it's helped me a lot.
Dirga Pranayama
Three-Part Breath (Dirga Pranayama) has the power to ground and center us in our physical bodies. Why not use this calming exercise as a gateway into your yoga practice? When you first hop onto your mat, take several deep breaths with Dirga Pranayama - it will help ease out any stress or worry from the day before making way for an undistracted session of self-care.
Feel free to rest on your back with your legs outstretched or if that doesn't feel right, bend those knees up toward you. Whatever feels more comfortable is key — just make sure you're fully relaxed when doing so as this will help maximize the means of breathing through your body. Take a minute to observe your natural breath. Don't get caught up in any thoughts that may pass by, just notice them and keep breathing. Now start deep-belly breathing; on the inhale fill yourself with air like you're filling up a balloon, then let it all out when exhaling through your nose while drawing the navel back towards the spine for an extra squeeze of air out - cycle this five times.
Next, take a deep breath in and let it fill your belly, rib cage, up to the collarbone — expanding around what we call the heart center. On each exhale feel yourself release — first from the chest sinking back down then letting go of air in ribs sliding together before finally dipping into that lower part with the navel moving closer to the spine as you slowly ease out all three parts without interruption. Try for ten cycles.
Sheetali Pranayama
Sheetali Pranayama or Shitali Pranayama, also known as Cooling Breath, is a refreshing way to bring peace and tranquility into your life. It invokes a powerful evaporative cooling mechanism on inhalation which soothes the body from the deepest tissues through its calming energy. For best results, practice it on an empty stomach whilst sitting comfortably either cross-legged or with elevated hips. Stick your tongue out and curl up like a tube. Take a deep breath through this "tube" situation – let the air fill up your lungs, and back out through the curled-up tongue. Repeat as much as needed, there are no contraindications here.
Benefits of Pranayama
A regular practice of Pranayama breathing techniques can have many benefits such as reducing stress levels, improving mindfulness, enhancing concentration, calming the mind and the subtle energy channels, strengthening respiratory muscles and lung function, helping with certain cardiovascular diseases, etc... Breathing is an essential yet, often overlooked connection between our mental and physical state. Mindful yogic breathwork not only gives us insight into the places of tension within ourselves but can also be a powerful tool to soften them. Whether you are new or experienced in the practice of yoga, learning how to use your breath as part of your practice will help unlock hidden potentials that lie within each one of us - both strong and fragile alike!
With research into yogic breathing and Pranayama types yielding more than a thousand studies, it's clear that Pranayama offers multiple beneficial effects for the health-conscious. From improved mental clarity to increased physical wellness and cognitive functions, these ancient practices can be instrumental in attaining holistic well-being - but only if researched and executed properly!
While there are various types of Pranayama out there, the ones above are some of the most popular ones among yogis today since they offer a wide range of benefits with minimal effort involved! So why not try one today? And if you're a yoga teacher looking to add some new elements to your classes then don't forget to include these three wonderful types of Pranayamas into your curriculum! Namaste! 🙏🏼
My Veganuary Recipe to Succeed on Your Veggie Month
I meant to write this Veganuary tips article long ago, but here I am, a few days before the new year and the beginning of Veganuary. Oops. If you’re taking the 30-day vegan challenge and going vegan this month of January for the now-famous Veganuary, congrats on this new beginning. You will never regret going plant-based or eating less meat. Here's my easy Veganuary recipe to help you have a delicious and fulfilling month.
If you’re reading this, I guess you’re already familiar with what Veganuary is. I’m also assuming you’re here for some Veganuary tips or an easy Veganuary recipe on how to make your vegan month a success or at least make it more bearable. Nervous, already feeling like giving up? Don't be. Research shows that it takes 21 days to pick up a new habit (healthy or otherwise...) so give it a try, it may end up changing your life, such as it did for me when my vegan journey began 12 years ago. There are many apps for vegans you can already download — a great way to make your month easier, and why not read these vegan quotes to get your mojo working.
Below are the top tips for Veganuary I’ve gathered over the years. Please get in touch on Instagram where I am most active of all social media and let me know how you get on and ask as many questions as you want. There’s little in life I feel more strongly about other than veganism. So congrats on reading this in the first place and let’s get cracking with my Veganuary recipe already!
More on the topic of veganism on the blog:
* The Essential Vegan Grocery Stores List
* My Vegan Sneakers Collection
* The best Vegan Documentaries you Should Watch now
* Vegan Travel Europe: the Ultimate 2021 Guide
* Tips to Ease Into a Zero Waste Lifestyle
* The Best Apps for Vegans
* The Guide to Vegan Alcohol
* BCAA for Vegans: Where to Find Them
* My Favourite Vegan Health Supplements
* My Favourite Vegan Winter Boots
* All you Need to Know About Collagen for Vegans
My Veganuary Recipe to Ease Into Veganism in 2023!
Find a Veganuary Buddy
Doing anything alone is always harder, so why not partner up with someone? That's one of the best Veganuary tips to begin with. This may be difficult if you live with a partner or flatmate who isn’t doing the 30-day vegan challenge, so perhaps there’s an incentive for them to humor you in this? It’s only a month long, what could you do in return for them the next month? Why, sexual favors, of course.
I originally went vegetarian and then vegan with my then-partner and, admittedly, had it not been for him, I don’t think I would have been able to do this on my own, leave alone stick to it.
So find yourself a pal or an accountability buddy, and if you can’t, reach out to me!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links.
Find your one Meaningful Reason to do the Switch to a vegan diet
There are dozens of reasons why going vegan is the best thing you could ever do for yourself and the planet, but finding the one thing that strikes a chord with you the most is essential. Document yourself and find what you’re most passionate about.
Fitness is what did it for me.
As I said, I went vegetarian before going vegan (and here’s a very old article about it) and the appeal of sports performance was the biggest lure. After several years of smoking, eating crap, and being a couch potato, I had a moment of panic before entering my 30s and decided that I did not want to age into a gross ol' flapjack. I first started working out at the gym, then I started running, and quickly signed up for my first half-marathon. Inspired by vegan triathlete Brendan Brazier and his book The Thrive Diet, as well as Matt Frazier, known as No Meat Athlete, I found something I was passionate about that would make these new habits stick. And they did!
Subscribe to Veganuary
Veganuary isn’t just a word, it’s a full-blown non-profit organization that’s there to promote veganism and support people in their transition by offering the OG Veganuary recipe, as well as tips and advice. Lazy? Take the pledge and sign up to their newsletter to receive daily vegan and new plant-based recipes, tips and more right to your mailbox. The veganuary website is full of precious information to make your month a success. Also worth checking out is the website of Vegan Society.
Reading this and it’s not January? No problem! You can start Veganuary — and sign up to take the pledge — at any time of year.
Document Yourself
Knowledge is power, and I would have never been able to transition to a vegan lifestyle had it not been for documentaries. I so happened to be in university studying design while I transitioned, so I used veganism as my research topic for a lot of my school projects. Here’s a fun website I did as part of a jquery class, haha.
Below is a list of my favorite documentaries:
Here a list of more vegan documentaries to watch!
Clean up Your Kitchen
Increase your chances of a successful Veganuary challenge by making a few adjustments to your kitchen pantry planning a vegan grocery shopping list. First, it's a good idea to get rid of all animal products - this includes gravy, stock, butter, and all non-vegan baking supply. But please don’t throw them away! Give them to someone. Someone you don’t like, preferably. Lol.
Second, get a few vegan food pantry staples. This includes nutritional yeast to make everything taste cheesy, black or kidney beans and tempeh for a great vegan meat replacement and to make sure you get enough protein (plus there are so many great meat substitutes these days!), chia or flax for egg replacement, fresh veggies, as well as fresh herbs and indian spice to make everything tasty, an excellent peanut butter (or any nut butters really), a good quality olive oil, maple syrup to replace honey, a good butter replacement (Earth Balance was my favorite in North America and now I swear by Naturli in Europe) and milk replacement (Oatly Barista Edition is my fave of all plant milks of all time but I also like soy milk for the added protein). Also, something salty for those cheese cravings — olives and roasted smoked almonds do it for me. Or vegan cheese, they're not half bad these days. iHerb is the right place to shop for vegan ingredients!
Processed vegan products and vegan alternatives such as sausages, vegan burger patties of veggie ground meat are a good way to ease into transition periods and for new vegans, but don’t rely on these in the long run unless it’s for an occasional treat. They're not super healthy. Instead, aims for nutritious, whole foods and whole grains. If you live in Europe, the fake dairy products are heaven (well perhaps they’ve evolved since I lived in Canada and the vegan yogurt tasted like wallpaper glue). Just give new things a try and make sure you read the ingredients list. You may be surprised — pleasantly or otherwise. Just be curious. Some people find it helpful to have full-blown Veganuary recipe meal plans, but I personally find this a little restrictive. You do you, my bro babe.
Find Some Easy, Delicious, and Healthy Vegan Recipes
Finding vegan meal ideas that are both easy to make and delicious is key. I’m a very lazy cook and often my vegan menu consists of steamed veggies, crispy tofu or tempeh in some sort of dressing, or lentil dahl, but this works well for me. Find a few good websites with easy veganuary recipes and be ready to have your mind blown at the amazing array of tastes you can get from plant-based food. With a little imagination, pretty much any of your favorite meals can be made into a vegan version. Vegan pizza for example? Easy!
Below are some of the best vegan recipes that I keep making over and over again. You can also follow my vegan plant-based meals recipes Pinterest board. Vegan cookbooks in general are also great!
- Black Pepper and Thyme Crusted Tofu
- Green Goddess Veggie Burgers
- Butternut Squash Risotto
- Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Tofu Steaks with Chimichurri & Baby Spinach
- My Corn Chowder
- Creamy Vegan Polenta with Mushrooms and Spinach
- Vegan Butter Chicken
- Red Onions Soup
- Creamy Avocado Pasta
- Curried Sweet Potatoes Lentil with Coconut Milks
- Lemon Juice bars (excellent if you have a sweet tooth!)
- Healthy Crazy Cool and Pick up Limes on Youtube
- More quick and easy vegan recipes!
A vitamin B12 supplement should also be on your radar if you're planning to be on a plant-based diet. If it's Winter months, also consider a vitamin D supplement, but that goes for everyone, not only vegans.
Shit Happens and it's OK
Last but definitely not least on this list of tips for Veganuary. Don’t panic, shit will happen. It always does, even to me, still after over a decade. When you go out, when you travel as a vegan, when you're invited over to someone's house. We’re all human, and we’re trying our best and that's the most important thing. Having a slip doesn’t mean we failed, that’s something important to remember. Make sure you download the Happy Cow app for when you go out, and always offer to bring something when you get invited over for dinner.
Repeat after me: shit happens. Easy does it. You got this. The best way to transition into a new habit is to stay positive!
What is Rocket Yoga?
I'm always amazed when I encounter a new form of yoga. I feel that, after over 15 years of practicing, I would have seen, tried, or at least heard of it all. But no. On my recent trip to Barcelona, I saw many studios had "Rocket Yoga" on their menu and I got curious... Now, that's a name that makes me want to try it!
So what is Rocket Yoga? Am I going to shoot to the moon? Sadly not, but close enough.
Rocket Yoga is a fast-paced, dynamic exercise routine that is a modified version of the traditional Ashtanga Asana developed in San Francisco by western practitioners Larry Schultz and Bob Weir, founding members of the band the Grateful Dead (!). Already, I'm sold. Didn't know these old-school dudes were into yoga. Rocket Yoga integrates primary and secondary sequences in three sets that are practiced over a whole week, and varied with modifications to ensure resilience. Sounds very much like my cup of tea!
If you're into more advanced postures that crank up your heart rate and sweaty yoga practices like me, listen up.
The Rocket Sequence
Rocket Yoga offers a set of re-imagined routines for the traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system, which combines the primary series of Ashtanga Yoga and intermediate sequences of core poses for a vigorous, playful physical exercise. Rocket Yoga is composed of advanced poses from both the primary and intermediate Ashtanga Vinyasa series (such as the advanced hand-balancing posture scorpion pose, peacock pose, crane pose, etc), along with key physical postures from the third and fourth series. Yep, sounds like a lot and a lot of advanced pose shenanigans. If you're into arm balances and intense forms of yoga like me, this might be a good option for you!
The Rocket routines are based on the Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga methods of K. Pattabhi Jois (the founder of Ashtanga Yoga). It integrates and restructures poses from the primary and intermediate Ashtanga series, while also including some poses from the advanced (third and fourth) series. So yes, practitioners need to develop a solid understanding of the sequences before advancing further.
In terms of the style of yoga, the Rocket Yoga framework is similar to Ashtanga Yoga, containing the Surya Namaskar, standing poses, sitting poses, twists, and bends. As the traditional Ashtanga asanas are the basis for this yoga technique, Rocket Yoga looks quite similar but is a simplified version of the exercises, divided into three parts. Apart from various techniques such as sitting postures, this exercise series is also made up of other cool yoga asanas such as Supta Vajrasana and Bakasana. There are definitely similarities with Hatha Yoga as well I think.
The structure of Ashtanga works against the normal sequences in Rocket Yoga, teaching that, in order to progress on the next step in your yoga journey, you first need to individually master one set of poses. The Rocket Yoga sequence allows every practitioner, even physically-challenged practitioners, to learn to modify poses as per each practitioner's body while progressing to the harder asanas. Rocket allows for quick improvement because there is an encouragement to modify poses or go your own way when needed, which I absolutely love. Inclusive yoga, yay!
Rocket Yoga offers an entire system of yoga programs, which train your entire body in a holistic, dynamic manner. Veda sums up the Rocket uniquely, saying, "The Rocket is for traditionalist yogis who love breaking some rules." Smirk, that's me.
In an Ashtanga Yoga practice, instead of seeing intense adjustments à la Mysore (typical of Ashtanga), one instead sees a gentler adjustment approach, encouraging one to listen to their inner teacher and tap into the gifts that we all possess within. A typical Rocket Yoga class still has similarities with Ashtanga classes; there are Sun Salutations A and B, followed by high-octane practice with 66 standing, balanced, sitting, and inverted poses, as well as the much-needed wind-down Series similar to the traditional closing series of Ashtanga.
The specific sequences of Rocket are:
- Rocket I: based on the First Series of Ashtanga Yoga. Works on hip openings, forward bends, and strength. Also includes different forms of arm balances and handstands.
- Rocket II: works chest openings as well as twists from the second set of Ashtanga.
- Rocket III: a combination of the two previous series. Also known by the name of “Yoga Mats Happy Hour” (lol), since it is also a time to challenge each other and have fun.
A Little Rocket Yoga History
Rocket Yoga offers a set of programs that re-interprets the traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga system, by combining the core poses of the Primary and Intermediate Series, creating a vigorous, playful practice. Rocket I is similar to Ashtanga Yoga primary series, which focuses on hip openers, forward bends, and core strength. Rocket I immersion is ideal for power yoga teachers looking to add a few new sequences into their instructional arsenal. If you're interested, you can take a yoga teacher training in the Rocket style.
Talk to just about any consistent student — or teacher — in the San Francisco Bay Area, and you can bet that they have taken one of Larry Schultz's signature Vinyasa Rocket classes. Rocket Yoga is informed by more than nine years of devoted Ashtanga practice. Larry Schultz studied under K. Pattabhi Jois for seven years and is most famous for developing what has come to be known simply as the Rocket, his own unique twist on Ashtanga first, second, and third series, which culminated in a vigorous, sweaty, much-loved practice.
A maverick within the yoga community (I had no idea!), Schultz's approach, both yoga asana and business, has led Larry to develop "It's Yoga" into one of the most successful and innovative studios. Among those who were initiated to yoga and went on to be renowned teachers are Duncan Wong, Russell Yamaguchi, Jon Berlinski, Taric Thami, and Clayton Horton. Many came through the doors of It's Yoga, and were introduced to Ashtanga by Larry Schultz.
Benefits of Rocket Yoga
Rocket is different from Ashtanga Yoga because students are allowed to modify and create their own interpretations of the traditional postures. With roots stemming from Ashtanga Yoga, Rocket Yoga is a simpler, dynamic form of Ashtanga, which is composed of a number of balanced sitting and standing postures, and inversions, such as Shirshasana, also known as the king of all asanas. Unlike traditional yoga, in which participants have to be proficient at every pose before moving on, Rocket Yoga allows individuals to transition from one pose to another without any prior experience, making it a safe practice for most.
So Rocket allows for quick improvement as you are encouraged to modify poses or go your own way when needed. Depending on your Ashtanga progression, Rocket Yoga may modify from the traditional poses based on convenience. In Rocket Yoga, students are allowed to modify or change traditional poses that they are stuck with. Rocket Yoga is designed to take away the challenging poses involved in the classical Ashtanga practice.
The benefits are many with Rocket Yoga, this is a no-doubt strengthening sequence, and through consistent practice, students will see previously difficult or impossible asanas slowly begin to fall into place. The intense physical process of Ashtanga is about pushing through mental blocks and emotional baggage in order to cultivate mental clarity, conscious breath, physical strength, flexibility, and stamina. Rocket is no different, and health benefits include improved blood flow to the pituitary gland and pineal glands, a strengthened nervous system, clean bowels through the various spinal twists, better mental health or psychological health, a stronger and more toned body (especially for back muscles), etc. In addition, Rocket Yoga is much gentler on the joints of the body (unlike Ashtanga) and more forgiving to those with physical problems through its various options and variations.
All in all, the Rocket system is a fantastic dynamic practice and a form of power yoga I strongly recommend. But to compensate for all the heat created by this much-loved form of yoga, I also recommend checking out a more restorative yoga form once in a while such as yin yoga. It's all about balance, my friends.
The best yoga retreat in the world (2023 edition)
Since I get asked this question by yoga enthusiasts regularly, here comes my yoga retreat 2023 roundup. This is a collection of the best yoga retreats 2023 options, as well as wellness retreats that I have either been visiting or have been dreaming of visiting this coming year. You'll find spiritual retreats for all levels and budgets — from luxury yoga retreats abroad to more affordable yoga retreats near me and you — because that may well be as far as we can go for now due to the current circumstances. The practice of yoga can be done anywhere in the world, just bring your yoga mat — the most important part!
And since I'm always up to trying out new things when I practice yoga and adding to the list, what do you think are the best yoga retreat 2023 options? I'm always on the lookout for the perfect retreats to add to this guide.
All-inclusive yoga retreats are a hot holiday trend right now and for good reason. What better way to slice right through a slump and get away from daily life than to reconnect with nature and with yourself on a deeper level through daily yoga practice at one of the best yoga vacations in a beautiful place, while meditating, dipping in hot springs (or a hot tub) to heal your soul and sore muscles on your free time, and eating delicious healthy food? None in my book, even if just for a long weekend. Come home a better version of yourself, feel fit and have done some personal growth.
So without further ado, here are my recommendations for what I think the best yoga getaways in the world are! I've tried to include all styles of yoga but am missing a Kripalu center if you have recommendations! Ready to find the perfect place to dive into yoga?
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.
-Joseph Campbell
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
Dreaming of more yoga trips? Here are some destination-specific guides for your perfect yoga and meditation retreat:
* Retreats in India
* Retreats in Europe
* Retreats in Costa Rica
* Retreats in Bali
* Retreats in Greece
* Retreats in Thailand
* Various retreats in United States
* Best yoga teacher training destinations
European friends, tell me: are there any amazing yoga retreats near me? Looking also for Kripalu Hatha yoga retreat for beginners recommendations.
Best yoga retreats 2023: My top picks
EUROPE & NORTH AFRICA
Nefeli Nine Retreats, Attica, Greece
Greece is definitely high up on my list of 2023 yoga vacations! Dreamy turquoise water, cozy sand-washed stone buildings, mild climate, a bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables - those are pretty much the only prerequisites for a great yoga retreat in Greece, am I right? I hear Athens is also a top vegan location, so I'm really dying to go. Nefeli Nine invites you to join them for a week-long, no-nonsense, luxury yoga retreat. The luxury yoga retreats 2023 are fitness-oriented and include daily yoga sessions, daily outdoor activities, and daily classes such as HIIT, boxing, functional training and kettlebells in their fitness center. To top this up, fresh local food is served and massages are available.
Duration: 3 to 7 days
Price: from $660
Closest Airport: Athens (26 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Yoga with Perumal, Imlil, Marrakech, Morocco
This retreat is the country's first-ever mountain yoga vacation location. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, in an extraordinary setting, with welcoming and charming staff, plenty of free time, delicious food, as well as highly skilled yoga teachers. The optional group rental venue has an outdoor swimming pool and an amazing rooftop view of North Africa where you can take meditation workshops or full meditation retreats. Come here to indulge in mindful movement with daily yoga classes, restorative yoga,or therapeutic yoga and get a sense of deep connection with the surroundings.
A yoga retreat in Morocco is high on my list for 2023 and Perulmal's yoga retreats are my top pick! With small groups and direct flights between Berlin and Marrakech, I think those could count as yoga retreats near me, whatcha think? ;) I'm dreaming of immersing myself in the local culture and local community...
Duration: 4 to 7 days (I suggest the week-long retreats)
Price: from $840
Closest Airport: Marrakesh Menara
Airport pick-up included? No, but can be booked for an additional cost of $25
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and more seasoned yogi
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request, and there's always plenty of fresh fruits
Body And Mind Holidays, Vouliagmeni, Greece
The Body and Mind Holidays offer incredible health and wellness yoga experiences in this yoga retreat center for your whole being to regenerate and become revitalized and in wonderful spiritual health. You can enjoy daily yoga practices in various teacher styles, pilates, tai chi, gentle therapeutic water exercises, all while staying in the stunning yoga resort in single rooms situated in hilly Vouliagmeni, near the historic city of Athens. Nearby, you can explore the beautiful beaches of Vouliagmeni or discover the Parnitha Mountains. They have a variety of exciting activities from trekking to preparing healthy Greek meals on-site during your best yoga holidays.
The popular destination retreat hotel is luxuriously designed and will meet every one of your needs as a guest. The Margi Hotel is personal, welcoming, and has a warm charismatic atmosphere, the best accommodation for your body and mind holiday. One of the top yoga retreats in the world.
Duration: 4 to 8 days (again my preference is for week-long yoga retreats)
Price: from $840
Closest Airport: Athens
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and experienced yogi welcome
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Fykiada Retreats
Fykiada organizes exclusive luxury yoga retreats on the Greek islands in ideal setting high-end locations with world-acclaimed teachers. From cosmopolitan Mykonos to the otherworldly scenery of Koufonisia and the authentic island of Kythnos, upcoming retreats are one-of-a-kind and tailored to the needs of the group. From a selection of stunning seaside locations to stylish yoga studio interiors with great guest rooms, conscious welcome gifts, and local touches, everything promises that you'll be taken excellent care of. The food served at Fykiada Retreats represents the best new ways of Greek nature and culture and is personalized to suit guests' preferences and food allergies. Vegan and gluten-free organic meals options are always part of their menu, as well as twists on local recipes.
Duration: various
Price: from $1,800
Closest Airport: Depends on location
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Akasha Yoga & Wellness in Transylvania
Romania might not be the first country that pops to mind when you're planning your next yoga holiday or yoga trip, but hear me out! I think the photo above speaks for itself, and I'm so excited that this is a yoga retreat near me!
The lovely Akasha Wellness Retreat is located in a quaint little village up in the mountains of Transylvania, an hour drive from Brasov. It is the perfect and easiest retreat getaway from Western Europe to get a big bowl of fresh air and reconnect with your true self. What you'll find here: the freshest, purest of mountain air, the most beautiful mountainside view (you are literally up in the clouds!), incredibly peaceful meadow nature walks, and the best and healthiest home-cooked vegan food. This is a small family-run business that is so totally inspiring and will leave you nourished and rested. My best discovery of 2023 and one of the more affordable yoga retreats 2023 options! These are yoga retreats for beginners, but really they will suit all levels.
Duration: various
Price: Depends on stay
Closest Airport: Bucharest
Airport pick-up included? From Brasov train station
Type of retreat: Beginner
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes, all vegan!
ASIA
Any Retreat in Koh Phangan, Thailand
Not a yoga school recommendation per se, but Koh Phangan as a whole is my secret magical place away from the western world for all things yoga. Whether you are after a kundalini yoga retreat, some yoga nidra classes, or everything in between, you'll find all yoga styles and more on the magical Thai island. I have done yoga in many Koh Phangan schools and it's always been incredible and some wellness experience maybe a little out of my comfort zone. Koh Phangan is one of those places where I'm always the best version of myself, can free my mind and meditate, feel at one with nature, and just live in an extremely balanced way. Add to that almost-free papaya and coconut, and let me tell you, Koh Phangan is the best idea on the planet ever, period. Always. The natural beauty of the island will mesmerize you. And here you can find both luxury yoga holidays and more affordable ones. Some of the best yoga retreats in the world for beginners are here too, and for a very good value. Oh, and papaya — did I say?
Duration: various
Price: Depends on stay
Closest Airport: Koh Samui
Airport pick-up included? No
Levels of yoga: All
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Mostly
6 Days Rejuvenating Meditation and Wellness Yoga Retreat 2023 Ubud, Bali
For the ultimate pampering experience and one of the best yoga trips, look no further than this luxury yoga retreat in Bali. Offering more than just yoga, this lovely yoga retreat also includes daily Ayurvedic spa treatments to get you feeling your very best. You could even take surf lessons at a nearby surf camp.
Located at the Adiwana Resort, everything you could possibly need lives within the yoga resort’s walls — although you will definitely want to visit the surrounding area; Bali is gorgeous. Included in the cost of the retreat are daily meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and an afternoon fruit basket served with tea. Each retreat also includes one cultural excursion for local activities outside of the resort included in the price. Your morning will start with one-hour yoga courses taught by experienced instructors, followed by one-hour meditation sessions and 2 hours of spa treatments. For yoga holidays, Ubud is in simple ways one of the best places to be and Adiwana offers an all-inclusive yoga retreat you will remember forever.
Duration: 3 to 22 days
Price: From $700
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai (35 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: All
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Rasa Retreat, Goa, India
If you like to escape to somewhere warm for winter yoga retreats, Rasa yoga retreat India is a humble place where guests can find their inner peace and be immersed in the heart of spiritual Goa by the Indian Ocean, in India. This yoga retreat is perfect for those looking for a full yogi experience, with highly knowledgeable yoga teachers offering a traditional teaching style in a peaceful retreat environment and beautiful setting. The team at Rasa Retreat is on hand to provide you with all the care, patience, and guidance you require to make sure your stay is memorable and rejuvenating. You can also take excursions to the nearby sights which shouldn’t be missed such as hikes in the nearby jungle and discovering the best nearby tourist spots such as Srinagar. The food is mainly ayurvedic meals with vegan and vegetarian options featuring healthy natural ingredients. You can also get ayurvedic treatments ayurvedic massages at an extra cost for a unique experience.
Duration: 3 to 20 days
Price: From $350
Closest Airport: Goa Dabolim (30 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner and Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
THE AMERICAS
The Retreat Costa Rica Wellness Center
The Retreat Yoga Costa Rica was initially created as a place to strengthen, restore, nourish and heal the mind and body. It is said that after visiting this transformative place you will come out with a different view on the way you nourish your body with food, a new mindset, and improve the way you live your life amidst the lush vegetation.
Here you can indulge in spa services, with a variety of packages to choose from as well as unlimited access to dip into the stunning outdoor pool. The yoga therapy retreat daily schedule offers an advanced wellness and healing program, including special culinary options for weight loss in a heavenly setting. The plush yoga resorts sit highly on a quartz mountain with jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean and beyond. While in Costa Rica, consider also experiencing an Ayahuasca Retreat. There's nothing like working on yourself in exotic locations!
Duration: varies
Price: Depends on the duration
Closest Airport: San Jose
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner and Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Go Natural Jamaica
One of the best international yoga retreats, this exotic yoga trip will boost your body and mind. Come and enjoy a de-stressing, yoga holiday at the Go Natural Jamaica retreat, where you can sit back and relax on the tropical island of Jamaica and enjoy snorkeling in the ocean, horseback riding, discovering secret waterfalls, and reconnecting with nature. Go Natural offers organic, light, and healthy meals with fresh colorful fruits and nutritious smoothies to help your body detoxify during your yoga retreat. There are two daily yoga courses for beginners all the way up to advanced, as well as nearby idyllic white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, and relaxing living rooms at the end of the day. There's also the opportunity to study yoga postures in-depth, as well as take yoga philosophy classes. You’ll be in real paradise, the private room set is lovely! It's also one of the most affordable yoga retreat options.
Duration: 4 to 30 days
Price: From $499
Closest Airport: Norman Manley (53 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Sagrada Wellness, San Luis Obispo, USA
The USA is a gold mine of world-acclaim yoga retreats, from Esalen Institute, Art of Living Retreat Center, to Shambhala Mountain Center. Making no exception, the Sagrada Wellness retreat yoga center is nestled amongst the quiet hilltops of Santa Margarita, California, about three hours away from Los Angeles. This yoga retreat is spectacular, and one of the most special yoga retreats in the world with a quirky boutique style where you can disconnect from technology in a safe space, practice wholesome yoga, meditate in peace and enjoy organic wholesome foods, and why not a cheeky wine tasting.
The retreat was founded by a couple of yoga instructors, who had a dream to open a yoga-focused retreat in the idyllic Californian hills, and they made it a dream come true! You can look over the Californian hilltops and shoreline where you can reflect and reconnect with yourself in the yoga retreat and during meditation classes. You can also enjoy the eco-friendly accommodation, which is 100% solar powered with a dreamy pool, Jacuzzi, and many nearby trails and hiking spots. Spoil yourself with a variety of healthy, delicious meals ranging from vegetarian meals to vegan to gluten-free delights, all sourced locally and organically. This retreat also offers a complete digital detox retreat with no Wi-Fi, and they encourage you to stay off all technology during your California yoga retreat. Bliss.
Duration: 3 or 4 days (perfect for those who don't have time for a week yoga retreat)
Price: From $875
Closest Airport: San Jose (252 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: First time Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
For more in the Americas, check out these retreats in Mexico and East Texas.
Vegan Munich: Where to Eat
Wondering what vegan Munich has in store for ya? Here's my Munich vegan travel guide.
There’s so much more to Munich than Oktoberfest and beer garden fiestas. Sure, the Bavarian capital can be the scene of lederhosen-clad drunken Weisswürste fest. But open your eyes wide and you’ll discover an amazing health and vegan scene beyond all the animal products, fab Munich vegan eateries, gorgeous boutique hotels, and — what the hell — river surfing right in the heart of Munich. There’s definitely more than meets the eye in Munich and I set up to explore what lies beneath the Schweinsbraten and just how many vegan restaurants Munich had for me. Wunderbar.
Vegan München: the best vegan restaurants in Munich
Here for the first time? Prefer to order in? Most of the restaurants below are on Wolt, my favorite meal delivery app. You can use the code MOSTLYAMELIE to receive 3 x 5€ off of your first three orders! Get it here!
There’s so much vegan food Munich has waiting for you, you’ll be shocked. Here are my top vegan restaurant Munich picks and all the best places to try!
Gratitude
A high quality modern upscale eatery with decent prices and a beautiful interior, it’s best to make a reservation ahead at Gratitude. They are very popular, and with good reason. The short, changing menu includes things such as chickpeas and Hokkaido curry, paprika corn soup, ravioli with tempeh bolognese, grilled avocado, and deconstructed falafel with hummus. The vegan wine and beer selection is great. Artful and tasty. The perfect place for a date night.
Max Pett das vegane restaurant
To get your fix on all the German specialties you thought you’d never taste as vegan options, Max Pett is a great spot. My top pick for a main dish is definitely the vegan schnitzel, which is gigantic and crispy and greasy and amazing. The Remouladensauce that comes with it is also yummy. Whatever you do, make sure you save some room for dessert. Whatever kind of seasonal sweet dumpling (Knödel) they have on is sure to be delicious too and served with vegan ice creams. Ah, man. Drool.
Emmi’s kitchen
A wonderful outdoor garden welcomes you for a great breakfast at Emmi’s kitchen, and a cozy if a little bit crowded interior is there to accommodate the colder months. Emmi’s kitchen serves the fluffiest vegan pancakes I have had in some time, but please whatever you do, also save room for a cinnamon roll! Great coffee, great people, a smashing vegan burgers menu for the rest of the day. And of course all vegan. Best way to start the day!
Buttermelcherstraße 11-15, 80469
Doctor Drooly
100% vegan, fresh, drooly, slippy pizza fresh from the oven that is best devoured red hot and on the curb next door. I'm not joking when I say this is some of the best vegan pizza I've ever had. Sourdough crust and great toppings — I opted for the Oh Maria, which combines vegan mozzarella, vegan prosciutto crudo, cream cheese (I'll stop saying the word vegan now, you got the gist), arugula, salted granola, and aceto balsamico. Possibly one of my favorite places. You cannot visit Munich and not stop by Doctor Drooly, be warned! It's right by the city center, so no excuse.
3. Siggi’s
Wonderful vegan healthy fresh food café in Munich. At Siggi's vegan café, you will find things such as sandwiches, bowls (my pick, loved the sweet potatoes and toasted pumpkin seeds on top!), delicious soups, fresh salad, American style pancakes, generous sandwiches, and a great raw vegan dessert selection. The lovely and gorgeous owner is engaged in the community and wonderful to have a chat with. She may even be there with her cute rescued dogs if you’re lucky. They recently got vegan pastries, which I'm devastated I didn't get to try.
Hippie Chay
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Bao burgers, sushi, bowls, curries, fresh ingredients, and more delicious Asian streetfood awaits you at the beautiful Hippie Chay. There's a gigantic variety to pick from, but I found the bao to be excellent and would highly recommend them! It's a little pricey, but this is Munich, baby!
Prinz Myshkin
One of the most upscale vegetarian restaurants with many vegan dishes and a stunning minimalist interior. The open kitchen serves creative global dishes, including many Asian and European options. The staff is super friendly, and the service is fast. Prices are on the expensive side, but you get what you pay for on the vegetarian food front. In the evenings you should call ahead to make a reservation.
Emiko at Louis Hotel
This vegan-friendly upscale modern Japanese restaurant in the heart of the city was my most pleasant surprise in München. With a seven-course sample menu showcasing perfect craftsmanship and an amazing cocktail menu, Emiko was definitely the culinary highlight of my trip to Munich. I suggest you not only treat yourself to dinner here, but that you also stay at the amazing modern hotel in which it is located. They also have an amazing vegan-friendly brunch at the weekend with a vegan version of many classics. Really good food for a special occasion.
Bodhi
Ahh, how I wish this was in Berlin! Bodhi is a great place where you can get the real Bavarian tavern experience, except all vegan! Icy cold draft beer, greasy pub snacks, fab crowd, and good music. Make sure you try the chili cheeze nuggets, onion rings, currywurst, and buffalo wings. Great traditional dishes made vegan. I’m hungry.
Tushita Teehaus
Tushita is a cozy tea house with a Japanese-German aesthetic. Here, you’ll find hundreds of different kinds of tea and a daily changing organic, vegan, and a gluten-free menu comprising of buddha bowls with all sorts of veggies, as well as cakes. They also have a selection of tea-related accessories for sale.
Soy Vegan München
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Another fully Vietnamese vegan cuisine option in Munich. Large menu with a wide selection, friendly staff, nice ambiance, and good vibes all around. I recommend doing a selection of tapas to share between a few people to sample as much of the menu as possible. Good lunchtime deal as well. A great option with reasonable prices in the Maxvorstadt area!
Vegan Junkhouse Club
Vegan Junkhouse Club welcomes you to their so called "Plant Punk Empire", where they invite you to enjoy deliciously greasy vegan fast food and cocktails in a cheery pink setting. Here, you'll find things such as hot dogs, lobster rolls, burgers, faux chicken, faux calamari. The perfect place in Munich to get your vegan junk food fix!
Dream vacation: Stay at a Hotel in Paris with a View of the Eiffel Tower
What could be more romantic than staying in a Paris hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower? The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most iconic landmarks, and it will take your breath away. So, which hotel in Paris has the best view of the Eiffel Tower? Let’s see.
There is no better way to experience the history and culture of Paris than by staying in a hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower. You'll be able to wake up every morning and enjoy the breathtaking view from any superior room, and you'll be able to explore everything the city has to offer without worrying about finding a place to stay.
If you're going to Paris, you should definitely think about staying in a hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower. It's an experience you'll never forget. Today I'd like to share my top picks for Paris hotels with views of the Eiffel Tower!
Hotel Paris with view of Eiffel Tower options
There are quite a few Paris hotel Eiffel Tower view options. Below I’m listing the best Paris hotels with an Eiffel Tower view. Paris hotels view of Eiffel Tower high on your bucket list? I gotchu.
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links which come at no extra cost to you.
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
The first “hotel Eiffel Tower view” is the Pullman. The Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel is right next to the Eiffel Tower and as such offers amazing views. The Pullman Paris is located on the left bank of the River Seine, right next to the Eiffel Tower, and a short walk to the Louvre Museum. It’s actually one of the first Pullman Hotels to open in Europe. The hotel offers a high level of personal service with a sense of French hospitality. The rooms are designed in a contemporary style with all amenities, including air conditioning, WiFi, and high-speed Internet access. Breakfast is served every morning at this hotel and guests can enjoy it on their own time schedule or have it delivered to their room.
This Paris hotel with Eiffel Tower view also has an exclusive restaurant where guests can enjoy French cuisine. There are also two bars for guests to enjoy drinks before dinner or after a day exploring Paris. The hotel was freshly renovated in 2014 and thus offers amazing amenities and extremely comfortable furniture. When it comes to hotels with a view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, you really can’t go wrong with The Pullman!
Book your room at The Pullman now!
Hotel Balzac
Located in an old historical mansion, this fully refurbished hotel is a 5-minute walk
from Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées, and of course, the Eiffel Tower. The chic interior is wonderful for a cocktail in the lounge or an exquisite evening meal in the restaurant. Whether you're dining in, or at the intimate Wine Bar and Wine Cellar, guests are definitely spoiled for choice. For the most wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower, and if budget isn't a concern, opt for the "Suite Royale" where you'll be spoilt with an Eiffel Tower top view. Located on the top floor, the suite offers an exceptional view of the Eiffel Tower from its terrace as well as a plush decor that will make you feel like a million bucks. Its decor in warm and intimate tones contributes to creating a unique atmosphere. One of the best Paris hotels with Eiffel Tower views in my opinion!
Book your room at Hotel Balzac now!
Shangri-La Paris
Another luxury hotel in the category "hotel Paris with view of Eiffel Tower", Shangri La is wonderful. Surrounded by a lush park, these 5-star hotels offer excellent facilities and the most beautiful rooms and suites. If you want to enjoy the charm of Classic France after sunset, opt for some shopping at Galeries Lafayette which is about 20 minutes away from here. There’s also a metro station closeby. The Shangri-La Hotel welcomes is located in the former residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte, a beautiful listed building. The hotel faces the river Seine, on the side facing the Eiffel Tower. It reflects both Asian hospitality and the French art of living. There are two restaurants, one of which has Michelin stars. An indoor pool and a spa area provide relaxation. The main feature of this hotel is that there are two ways to get a great view of the Eiffel Tower. You can either choose to get it from inside your hotel room with large windows, or you can experience the nightlife on one of its top floors at nightclubs and bars. There isn't much more else to explain about this wonderful option!
Book your room at Shangri-La Paris now!
Hotel Le Walt
Next up on this Paris hotels with Eiffel Tower view list is Le Walt. Le Walt is a charming cozy boutique Paris Eiffel Tower view hotel located in the heart of the city, close to the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. The hotel has 30 rooms and two suites and offers free Wi-Fi and free parking. The Walt is one of the few hotels that allow pets, so if you’re looking for somewhere to take your furry friends while you visit, this is the place. The hotel also has a restaurant with panoramic views of the city, as well as an elegant bar with a beautiful terrace. At Le Walt, you'll have views of both the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral — a popular choice for those who want to see these iconic landmarks without paying sky-high prices.
Book your room at Le Walt now!
Hôtel La Comtesse
Also on this best hotels in Paris with Eiffel Tower view list is La Comtesse. Set in the 19th-century Haussmannian building, Hôtel La Comtesse Tour Eiffel is another solid option if you're dreaming of waking up to views of the Eiffel Tower. La Comtesse is a Boutique Hotel in the heart of Paris. It is located on a quiet street, yet only a few steps away from the most famous attractions in Paris - including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre. La Comtesse offers personalized service with utmost attention to detail. Each premium room is uniquely decorated with style — there are also many thoughtful amenities such as free Wi-Fi and plush robes. The hotel is near many shops and restaurants so you can easily explore all that Paris has to offer. The staff is friendly and helpful and will gladly recommend the best places to visit. The beds and pillows are a dream.
Book your room at La Comtesse now!
Hotel Brach Paris
Hotel Brach Paris is a small family-run hotel located directly across from the Eiffel Tower in Trocadéro, a neighborhood in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. The hotel has been welcoming guests since 1930 and has since become one of the most popular hotels with views of Eiffel Tower Paris. It's also one of the few hotels in Paris with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower. All rooms are spacious and have modern amenities including free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. The hotel also offers a number of dining options including a bistro and breakfast buffet.
Book your room at Brach Hotel now!
Hôtel Raphael
When it comes to Eiffel Tower view hotels in Paris, Hotel Raphael Paris is a beautiful boutique hotel with a central location in the heart of the city of lights that affords one of the best Eiffel Tower views. The hotel is located within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, as well as many other attractions. The hotel’s rooms come with a private balcony that overlooks the iron lady, which will deliver an unforgettable view of the iconic landmark. The hotel’s restaurant serves traditional French cuisine, including classic dishes such as escargot and steak frites. Hotel Raphael Paris also has a beauty salon, where you can get your hair and nails done while enjoying the stunning view of the city — how cool is that for a memory? As far as hotels in Paris with best view of Eiffel Tower go, Hotel Raphael Paris is an excellent choice for travelers looking for something unique in Paris!
Book your room at Raphael Hotel now!
Airbnb with Eiffel Tower View
There are more options than just hotels in Paris with Eiffel Tower view. While Airbnb is the most well-known place for apartment rental when traveling and there are definitely some great Eiffel Tower view Airbnb options out there, recently I have been loving Plum Guide as their offer especially well-curated properties that are definitely a notch above Airbnb, in my humble opinion. When Paris hotels Eiffel Tower view options are a bit too impersonal, check out those great Aairbnb Eiffel Tower view options.
Rooftop Abode
At the top of this list of Airbnb with Eiffel Tower views is the wonderful Rooftop Above. You will literally see the tower from every standpoint within the apartment. The best part here is that it sleeps up to 12 with its 5 bedrooms! So this is the perfect apartment for a friends' trip to Paris. The apartment is just stunning and filled with light and I feel like you might have a hard time even getting outside to explore Paris! If you do manage to make it out, you’ll emerge on a quiet street close to the Champs Elysees, where you'll find amazing shopping, great restaurants (it is Paris after all!), and many of the city’s most famous landmarks a stone's throw away. Gather your besties!
Eyeful of Iron
Another beautiful apartment in Paris with fantastic views of the Eiffel Tower. Even if Eyeful of Iron is centrally located, it's still very peaceful in a beautiful high-rise building. It is bright & airy and can sleep up to four — another great pick for a friends' getaway. There are loads of restaurants and cute cafes nearby, and the nearby Rue Cler and Rue Saint Dominique are super cute for a stroll if you want to get off the beaten path a little bit. Don't forget to have a sundown picnic with champagne at Champs de Mars, of course.
Les Oursons
Nestled right between the Grand Palais and Golden Triangle, this apartment offers great views of the Eiffel Tower and is closely located to all the main attractions. Its bright and airy open plan oozes class and beauty and you'll find yourself wanting to spend a lot of time there daydreaming while staring at the Eiffel tower out of the window. On warmer days, make sure to fully enjoy the balcony with a romantic meal with unbeatable views. This Airbnb Paris Eiffel Tower view nest is best suited for a romantic getaway.
Yoga Retreat Greece: Where to go
If you're looking for yoga retreat Greece destinations, I've got you covered. For this guide, I have handpicked the best yoga holidays and yoga retreat Greece options currently on offer, for yourself alone or as a couple.
For yoga retreats, Greece is one of my top picks; not only do I love visiting the Mediterranean countries, but Greece has it all — Greek island life, great food, and all that ancient culture! I have found that I often want a little more than just yoga when on retreat, and like to tick off multiple boxes by either combining it with another activity or visiting a place that has an interesting history.
Ready for your next yoga vacations in Greece? This selection of yoga retreats in Greece has something for everyone including solo travelers, they all promise to leave you rejuvenated and are located in some of the most amazing places the Greek mainland and archipelagos have to offer. So do allow plenty of time to visit the surroundings on your free time, especially if you're attending a retreat in one of the Greek islands. And do check out this guide for more inspiration on Europe yoga retreats. And please don't forget your travel insurance!
The Best Yoga Retreats in Greece
Hiking and Yoga on Kos
This week-long unique yoga retreat in Greece is all about balance. With morning yoga sessions and sunset meditation at the Asklepion (the healing temple where Hippocrates was trained), two afternoons of hiking where you will explore and get to know the island better, and options to visit the natural hot spring thermal baths, there is no doubt you will leave relaxed and revitalized. The intimate retreat center (15 people max.) is located by beautiful beaches but is only 1.5km from the center of Kos town making it the ideal location to explore Greek culture in the afternoons and retreat into calm and quiet sea view for the rest of your stay. The food is vegan and vegetarian friendly and breakfast, dinner, snacks, and (non-alcoholic) drinks are included (feel free to pick up some local vino for dinner). The perfect retreat to kick off your new healthy lifestyle!
Duration: 7 days / 8 nights
Price (USD): double occupancy – $939/ per person; single occupancy – $1,084 per person
Closest Airport: Kos Island International Airport (20 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, Greek
Vegan Friendly?: Yes, the menu is vegan and vegetarian
CHECK OUT RETREATS at Yoga on Kos NOW!
Vegan-Yoga Retreats in Greece by Soulbreeze
Soulbreeze Greece yoga retreat, founded and led by yoga teacher and psychology instructor Sofia, offers various retreats throughout the year in Greece (Athens and Antiparos for 2020). Soulbreeze’s mission is to create a retreat environment where you can take a deep soul dive and emerge as a more conscious, compassionate, and aligned human being. This yoga retreat in Greece won’t just transform you on a physical level but promises to be a holistic and soul-healing experience, in beautiful accommodations in nurturing settings. All meals and snacks are vegan and provided. One of the best yoga retreats in Greece!
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Price: from €1,000 per person
Closest Airport: Athens/Paros National Airport
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes, the menu is vegan
CHECK OUT GREECE YOGA RETREAT OPTIONS at Soulbreeze!
Luxury Yoga and Fitness Holiday near Athens
Nefeli Nine’s personalized yoga practices and fitness break promises to leave you with a glow, inside and out. You will be challenged with daily yoga classes, vigorous morning hikes, and evening exercise classes… but you will also spend your afternoons recharging by the swimming pool, and if you are really lucky getting a massage (one included in the price) or facial. For your fix of Greek culture, there are the ancient ruins of Marathon nearby — yes, the birthplace of the marathon, for some extra fitness inspiration! All organic and locally sourced meals are provided, and they are able to cater to vegans. If your budget allows this is the perfect luxury yoga retreat in Greece to invest in yourself.
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Price (USD): $2,180-3,028 per person
Closest Airport: Athens International Airport (26 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, French, Greek, and Italian
Vegan Friendly?: Vegan options
CHECK OUT RETREATS at Nefeli Nine NOW!
Sailing and Yoga Retreat on the Aegean Sea
If when you think of a trip to Greece you think of the crystal clear turquoise Aegean ocean then this is the retreat for you. This eight-day sailing-yoga retreat through the Cycladic archipelago promises to be the perfect place for a unique and unbeatable way to experience this part of the world. The exact itinerary, yoga styles, and which islands you stop at varies depending on the weather, but the retreat promises a secluded private beach, history-rich Greek towns, incredible views, unbeatable ocean swimming, star gazing (you can sleep on deck if you like) AND vinyasa yoga! If you love the sea, what more could you want? Breakfast and Lunch are provided, and dinner will be in a local taverna where you dock for the night. Vegans can be accommodated for, but let the organizers know in advance
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price (USD): $908 per person
Closest Airport: Athens International Airport (21 km)
Airport pick-up included? No (the x96 bus can take you from the airport to the meeting point; a taxi is approx. €50)
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Languages: English, Greek
Vegan Friendly?: Vegan options, let the organizers know in advance to make necessary arrangements.
CHECK OUT RETREATS at Alt Travel NOW!
Greek Villa Yoga Retreat on Corfu
The Just Relax team are seasoned yoga retreat runners, and if you are looking for an affordable, guaranteed enjoyable yoga retreat, then this one gets my vote. With morning and evening yoga classes and accommodation in a traditional Greek villa overlooking the ocean with easy access to the beach, this is a great choice of retreat if you are looking to unwind with a friend or your partner, in a welcoming group setting. Corfu is one of Greece’s most popular islands for a reason, with great beaches and a picturesque historical town. All meals provided are vegetarian with vegan options, and these include daily breakfast and five dinners. One day you will take a boat trip, where lunch is included, for a unique yoga session on the peninsular. You will also have day trips to explore Corfu a little more, whether you decide to spend it lounging on the sandy beaches, immersed in the island’s mythology, taking an evening yoga session, or wandering through the historic town center, that is up to you! Don't forget to pick up some olive oil to take home on the way back! An experience of a lifetime.
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price (USD): from $729 per person
Closest Airport: Corfu International Airport (23 km)
Airport pick-up included? No, but Just Relax will try and group you together for shared taxis if possible
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English, Greek
Vegan Friendly?: Yes, all meals provided are vegetarian with vegan options
CHECK OUT RETREATS at Just Relax Yoga NOW!
Pilates and Yoga Getaway in Santorini
Santorini is many people’s favourite Greek island for good reason, with its iconic blue-roofed buildings on the cascading cliff face, spectacular views, red and black sand beaches, and some great wineries. Sky Retreats, located in the picturesque Oia promises you a week of yoga and pilates retreat in luxury accommodation to fully embrace this magical island. Not only does the retreat include daily meditation, yoga, and pilates but also excursions to some of Santorini’s most idyllic locations (although don’t worry if you just want to chill by the pool, that is also an option)! Brunch and a 4-5 course dinner are provided daily, all-vegetarian but vegan on request. This is the perfect wellness retreat to experience Santorini for yourself.
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price (USD): from $1,452 per person
Closest Airport: Santorini National Airport (10 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes, vegan on request
CHECK OUT RETREATS at Sky Pilates and Yoga NOW!
Mindfulness and Yoga Retreat in Mavrovouni
If you are looking for a deep spiritual dive into yoga then this is the retreat for you. The day starts with meditation, Hatha yoga and a deeply healing yoga Nidra led by Bhavani, your experienced teacher, followed by brunch. The rest of the day is to spend at your will, whether that is exploring the off-the-beaten-track village of Mavrovouni, relaxing at the beach, or visiting the Diros caves. Some evenings are spent doing your own thing, but for 4 evenings there will be another yoga class. Daily vegan-friendly brunch is included as well as four dinners, and each room also has a kitchen. If you are really looking to retreat from the world and immerse yourself in traditional regular yoga practice then this is the yoga retreat, in Greece, for you.
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: from $412
Closest Airport: Kalamata airport (60 km); Athens airport (180 km)
Airport pick-up included? Airport transfer can be arranged for an extra: $60 from Kalamata, $94 from Athens
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
CHECK OUT RETREATS at Ellas Retreat NOW!
I often look further afield for my next yoga retreat holiday, such as Thailand or Costa Rica, but I hope you can see that whatever you are after in a yoga retreat Greece is a beautiful destination that has something special and utterly unique to offer.
Where to stay in Munich
If you're looking for the best place to stay in Munich for your upcoming trip, look no further! This blog post will guide you to finding the best hotel and Airbnb in Munich. There's plenty to see and do in the capital of Bavaria such as Englischer Garten and Nymphenburg Palace, but it can be overwhelming trying to find where to stay in Munich. Whether you're looking for a luxurious hotel or a cozy Airbnb, I've got you covered with this list of the trendiest and best places in Munich.
Munich is a beautiful city with plenty of things to see and do. Whether you're interested in exploring the city's many museums or checking out the (in)famous Oktoberfest, you're sure to find something to your taste in Munich. And what better way to round off your perfect trip than by staying in one of the city's best hotels or Airbnbs? If you're interested, read my list of the best things to do in Munich, my guide to the best Instagram spots in Munich, as well as my vegan guide to Munich. Servus!
Where to Stay in Munich: the best hotels and Airbnbs
Louis Hotel
Perfectly located a short walk from the Viktualienmarkt (where you'll also find traditional Christmas Markets) and many tourist attractions in the old town, Louis Hotel has some of the most spacious and tastefully-decorated rooms I’ve had the pleasure to stay in. Striking the right balance of hip and elegance, my room was so comfortable and so soothingly quiet for such a central location. The bathroom is heavenly, the staff is super attentive and helpful and the restaurant is stunning. I can’t speak highly enough of the Louis Hotel. One of my top picks in one of the best areas of the city for sure!
Book your room at Louise Hotel now!
Schwan Locke
This is one of those places you’ll want to stay at for the experience as much as for the private rooms. The vibe is one of calm creativity – think stunning art, one-of-a-kind furniture, and mid-century industrialist design inspired by Munich’s Werkbund movement. The rooms are open and airy with an uncluttered feel and large windows letting in plenty of natural light. The perfect place to relax and recharge after a long day of exploring Munich. This is a great place for those who are looking for more affordable prices, yet still, a comfortable and stylish place to stay. There's a fitness center too! Easy walking distance to and from Munich Central Station. A great option!
Book your room at Schwan Locke now!
The Flushing Meadows
If you're a fan of great design and a modern hotel, this beautiful hotel is an intimate alternative for guests that have seen their share of nondescript business hotels. Located in an industrial building in one of Munich’s best neighborhoods as easy walking distance to the Deutsches Museum, the Glockenbach, The Flushing Meadows features individual loft studios, a few penthouse studios with private terraces, as well as the Flushing Meadows Bar which is a popular spot with the locals. A great hotel only for cool people, which I know you are!
Book your room at The Flushing Meadows now!
Colour Me Beautiful
Airbnb has very little in terms of great options in Munich, but have you heard of Plum Guide? They're a list of curated properties and Munich hotels for rent all over the world. This one called Colour Me Beautiful is not only beautiful, stylish, and affordable, but it's also centrally located, close to a few beer garden options, bright and spacious, and has all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.
Book your room at Colour Me Beautiful now!
CORTIINA Hotel
Louis’ hippest little sister, Cortiina, has super modern, colorful, and stylish rooms, a tub with an (optional) view (you naughty people) to a nice lounge area, and a friggin pillow menu! Fresh flowers all over, accents of classy oak wood amidst rich colorful textiles, Ren cosmetics, and a plush bed to pass out onto after you’ve had a few too many glasses at the most excellent Grape wine bar (that’s incidentally very vegan-friendly).
Book your room at Cortiina Hotel now!
Cherry Kirsch
Another fab Plum Guide find, Cherry Kirsch is a studio apartment located just minutes away from Theresienwiese – where Oktoberfest takes place and has an easy access to need for a memorable stay in Bavaria’s capital. Equal parts sophisticated and stylish, the bright modern decor with splashes of color in its art prints, plump red sofa, and jazzy paintwork is just delightful. Very reasonable prices.
Book your room at Cherry Kirsch now!
BEYOND by Geisel
Checking into BEYOND by Geisel is like checking into a 5-star luxury resort… in the city center! It features luxuriously furnished bedrooms and suites with panoramic views of the central district where you'll find the Town Hall or Rindermarkt square, adjustable a/c, a 55-inch flat-screen TV, WiFi, and Bluetooth speakers. The bathroom comes with a rain shower and everything is built for utmost comfort and luxury. A good option if you want to feel like a celebrity (or at least how I imagine they feel).
Book your room at BEYOND by Geisel now!
DO & CO Hotel München
This elegant and modern Munich boutique hotel is perfectly located in the city centre, close to all the main sights and attractions. The rooms are modern, spacious, and comfortable with beautiful views of the city. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, and the restaurant is excellent. If you're looking for a 5-star experience, this is the place for you. This is an especially great hotel for a romantic getaway.
Book your room at DO & CO Hotel München now!
The Charles Hotel
The Charles Hotel is one of Munich's most famous and luxurious hotels. Located in the heart of the city in a historic building, it offers stunning views of the royal palace and the English Garden. The rooms are spacious, decorated with modern furniture, and have all amenities you need for a perfect stay. Did I mention the huge indoor pool? Because it's awesome. This hotel is a stylish oasis in the middle of Munich. With its understated elegance, The Charles Hotel radiates a sense of calm amidst the hustle and bustle of one of Germany’s busiest cities. The perfect spot for a luxury hotel in the Bavarian capital!
Book your room at The Charles Hotel now!
Adventures in Depression and Microdosing
I feel there’s no avoiding exposing myself through and through on this one, so let’s cut to the chase. My mental health took a nosedive about seven years ago when I got dumped out of a relationship I had taken for granted as a forever thing. I picked myself right back up after the breakup, bought a bicycle, cycled halfway around the world, felt invincible and all grown-up for the hardship, and made a big deal of it all.
Berlin arrival, de rigueur dating-party-drug thing. I did have fun for a few months and have absolutely no regret.
But it all came crashing down on me like a high-pressure dam that’d been suppressing floods for too long. I don’t mean this lightly — it crushed me at max velocity. Pinned me down to the floor in a lost corner of West Berlin where I thought I had landed in a parallel universe I never wanted to know existed. An interstellar crap land of sorts.
So there I was, trapped, lost, rolled up in a ball on the 70s carpet in a onesie too big for me because I was too broke to use the heating. Chain-smoking cigarettes as my newfound coping mechanism while advocating a healthy lifestyle. Chain-dating people to try and forget all that I had lost. Taking myself on Eurotrips to feel alive, yet wishing to be hit by a car at the next intersection.
I don’t know how long this undiagnosed situation of mine lasted but it became my default. Months, years maybe? It’s all just a blur. It took me over and became me. A broken person, and one too broke to afford the German healthcare system. I’ll leave here a few images of my then flat situation to set the stage for you.
I’ve been a strong advocate of full transparency throughout the now eight years that I’ve been writing here and on social media. So many bloggers and content creators depict unrealistic images that lead to so much distortion and malaise. I didn’t want to be one of them.
But also I didn’t want to let depression become a defining trait by letting it take so much space in my life that it becomes a topic, you know? I wanted to suppress it and walk the line I had tended for myself for so long. A line I most obviously could not walk in the fog of my depression. This became the deciding factor into how far down the rabbit hole I would go each time a depressive episode hit. The greater the distance between the standard I was setting for myself and the dumpster fire that was my mental state, the bigger the dissonance. I think this will continue to reverberate and bite me in the ass, like forever.
So I guess I clung to some sort of public image of myself, not as a way to deceive anyone, but rather as a means to survival. Except I created a spicy double-edged sword to bleed myself against every time hell broke loose.
Those last three years, I’ve had my life back on track, mostly. I have a full-time job, my own apartment, wonderfully supportive friends, health insurance, the means to pay for therapy, and the will to live a long healthy life.
And, perspective. And a great therapist, Alleluia.
The reverberation still circles back around every so often, like a drill, to make sure I still know how to fall on my feet after a good spin. I don’t always.
A few things have helped, and one of them has been microdosing psychedelics. I think there is a time and place for this, and I wanted to give you the full 360 first because I don’t know if it would have served me as well had I not done the work first. Maybe? I’m glad I did the work first in any case.
For me “the work” has been first and foremost learning to sit in the center of the fire and let it burn and lick at my legs until it almost fully consumes me. I needed to feel my pain, and not mask it by cycling thousands of kilometers or doing so much yoga that I completely disembody from my own human experience. I needed to hit — and get comfortable sitting at — rock bottom. This was mostly unconscious work, but I always just wound up there no matter what.
I’ve previously written about my ayahuasca experience which you can read about. In the lead-up to it, I had been microdosing psilocybin (mushroom) with interesting, if faint results. I followed this protocol almost to the T and of course, experienced good results because I was taking care of myself, exercising more, decluttering my life, doing therapy, etc. I can’t decide how much of it to credit to the microdosing, but overall it has been a very positive experience and a very gentle introduction to psychedelics. I still found myself in a few depressive episodes through it, so this isn’t a cure-all or magic thing, ironically in this specific case.
Placebo or not, psilocybin positively affected my life, but at some point, I felt I had stalled in how it was serving me and wanted to try other things, not out of wanting to heal myself from anything, but as a way to explore untapped parts of my psyche. Now, this may come as a surprise to you, but LSD can be obtained legally in many parts of Europe. I buy mine here. And this for me has been far more transformative than psilocybin. Potentially because of all the preparation and work that have culminated in me being here now telling you about this, but also potentially because of the huge power of this drug. I mean, there is a reason why LSD has been researched in psychiatry for years to treat anxiety, depression, psychosomatic diseases, and addiction. I’m not here to tell you of the science, but rather of my own experience — and do please take it as anecdotal and do your own research. But what I’ve experienced is immense mental clarity, prolonged equanimity, intense well-being, drive, creativity, and pure joy in the present time and everything that led me to be here and now.
Microdosing has been the companion to the very tail end of a 3 to 4-year-long depression, at a time where I think I can speak for many when I say collective mental health hasn’t been at its peak. When all else fails around us and there’s little hope for humanity, at least I have found some solace in knowing that I can stand on my own two feet with poise and lightness when doomsday finally arrives for us all.
For the longest time, I was alienating myself by thinking that my pain was more intense, vivid, or different from that of others. It wasn’t. We’re all here living an equally vivid and painful existence, and I hope this can help you find a way to be more empathetic towards yourself.
Sending you love,
Amélie
Yoga Retreat Costa Rica: Where to go
The mystical Central American nation of Costa Rica is a perfect place of stunning and lush jungle scenery, jaw-dropping beaches and an altogether welcoming country where you can lose yourself in the mists of ancient time and find yourself all over again. Your true deep self. And if you decide to embark on a yoga retreat Costa Rica has it all — a yoga vacation where you can practice yoga and attend spa services in a perfect location.
If you know anything about yoga and travel, you'll be aware that it's all about getting in tune with yourself and your surroundings. Well, the all-encompassing nature of Costa Rica is the perfect backdrop for achieving inner calm and ultimate bliss through the practice of yoga. Doing one of these Costa Rica yoga retreats is one of the best things you can do for yourself while in this magical place.
If you're planning a getaway and looking for an awesome yoga retreat Costa Rica 2022, you've come to the right place!
More Yoga Inspiration from the Blog:
* Yoga quotes to feed your soul
* Thoughts on learning the Ashtanga Primary Series
* Top yoga retreats for 2022
* The best yoga teachers training destinations
* Things to know before experiencing an Ayahuasca retreat
* The best retreats for couples
Yoga Retreat Costa Rica 2022: Where to go
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links which give me a small commission at no extra cost to you.
6 Days’ Yoga Retreat in Puerto Viejo
In your quest to finding the best things to do in Costa Rica, you can't go wrong with OM at Cashew Hill in Puerto Viejo. It's six days and nights of unbridled yoga bliss, and is specifically designed for people who work in the wellness business and need some care, love, and attention for themselves – though you don't have to be any such professional and can just come to unwind and get away from it all, no matter what you do, and particularly during oftentimes stressful holidays.
Here, at this great Costa Rica yoga retreat, you'll enjoy daily yoga classes as well as breathwork and an astounding cacao ceremony that will have you mesmerized. Vegetarian meals – breakfast and dinner – are included and you'll have lots of time to do what you like, including exploring the lush vegetation and spectacular views.
Duration: 4 to 15 days
Price: Starting at $1,200
Closest Airport: Limón International Airport (47 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out some of the best yoga retreats Costa Rica 2021 in Puerto Viejo!
4-Day Meditation and Yoga for Travelers in Limon
Designed for the solo traveler, this mediation and Costa Rica retreat yoga holiday at the Vista Verde Guest House in the popular Limon area of Costa Rica is a real treat. You'll be transformed as you enjoy a deeply immersive experience into the rejuvenating world of health and wellness retreat. Surrounded by lush jungle (perfect for a meditative short walk), spectacular sun, and purifying sea, all your stresses will simply melt away as you give your inner self over to the reconnection with nature that you deserve.
This top-level yoga Costa Rica retreat features daily yoga classes and meditation sessions, sound healing and homemade organic meals you'll love. Plus, you'll be able to use the communal kitchen to conjure up any fare you want — and you'll have three night's accommodation.
Duration: 4 to 8 days
Price: Starting at $702 (affordable yoga retreat alert!)
Closest Airport: Limón International Airport (47 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out the best Costa Rica retreats in Limon now!
7 Days' surf and beginner yoga retreat Costa Rica in Santa Teresa
A great way to connect with yourself is by combining surfing and yoga in a combo surf yoga Costa Rica retreat, and it's all happening at Selina Santa Teresa in Santa Teresa, Puntarenas. It's awesome and fun Costa Rica yoga with a real edge, and daily calming yoga classes and daily and exhilarating surf camp. It's a true yin yang experience.
Several yoga styles are taught at the open-air studio at Pura Vida, including Hatha, Vinyasa and Ashtanga, and you can be a novice, intermediate yogi or advanced. You'll be transported to the beach and back for your surf lessons and have six nights' accommodation – either in shared dorms or private rooms – along with meals, wifi and lots more (I think horseback riding is a great option if you're into that). It all adds up to a great surf retreat and yoga Costa Rica adventure, and a total bliss-out.
Duration: 7 days
Price: Starting at $1,099
Closest Airport: Tambor Airport (19 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out retreats at yoga resort Costa Rica Selina Santa Teresa now!
4-Day Yoga Detox in Alajuela
If you love yoga and are also fond of the finer things in life, you'll be in seventh heaven at this four-day "reset detox meditation retreat Costa Rica" retreat in the tiny town of Atenas in the Costa Rican province of Alajuela (nearby the wonderful Arenal Volcano National Parks). Inside, you'll be in the lap of luxury as you do your restorative yoga classes in the beautiful yoga shala; and outside, the surroundings are a spectacular mix of mountains and coffee plantations that are a visual feast in one of the best climates in the world for your free time. Everything you need is included, including sumptuous accommodation and all your meals – with vegetarian, vegan and raw food options – and you'll have access to a stress-melting full-service spa (extra cost), cooling infinity pool, high-temperature steam room and lots more to make this one amazing yoga retreat in Costa Rica.
Check out retreats in Alajuela Wellness Center now!
Duration: 4 days
Price: Starting at $479
Closest Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (76 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes!
4 Days Wellness and Yoga in San Pablo
This is the perfect beginner yoga retreat Costa Rica can offer for those who want to do some yoga but don't have a whole lot of time. It's in San Pablo in the mountainous Central Valley and spectacular nature is the theme and the stunning backdrop (ocean views, drool). It's essentially a mini yoga retreat in Costa Rica in which you'll have just two yoga classes and also do some meditation while enjoying three meals a day made from organic foods. Accommodation is for three nights in a mini-suite, and you'll also be treated to a full body massage that will last an hour. This quick yoga retreat in Costa Rica also includes a day tour to the stunning Carara National Park and Pacific Ocean Beach.
Duration: 6 to 8 days
Price: Starting at $1,075
Closest Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (25 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes!
Check out retreats in San Pablo now!
3-Day Surf and Yoga Retreat in Dominical
Surfing the Pacific coast and yoga – what could be better? At Dominical Beach, you can have one of the best yoga and surf retreats Costa Rica has to offer. If you're adventurous and energetic and want to experience some amazing yoga in Costa Rica, this is the place for you. In this happening beach town with super year-round waves, you can combine the joys of surfing and yoga, which are different disciplines yet surprisingly similar (balancing on a board, anyone?)
This two-in-one Costa Rica retreat includes three yoga classes and one surfing lesson, as well as two nights' accommodation and all the equipment you'll need for both activities.
Duration: 4 to 8 days
Price: Starting at $391
Closest Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (110 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out retreats at Dominical Beach now!
PS. On my quest to finding where to fine tune your yoga practice at the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica, let me know if I'm missing any Costa Rica yoga resort! I think Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort and Blue Osa are other great ones to check out!
The Best Pilates Retreats
I'm not saying taking up Pilates or going on pilates retreats will change your life, but hear me out… I am constantly striving for better balance and sustainability — in what I eat, how I move, how I dress, how I work, and how I socialize. Because the reality is I tend to overdo things a little bit.
Mindful yoga retreats are great for a reset when things have gone out of whack, but Pilates is all about building strength, stability, and better and healthier movement patterns in the body. So Retreat + Pilates = perfect mind and body reset.
Why Go on a Pilates Retreat?
The short version, look and feel better.
The long version: Pilates focuses on toning and elongating muscle groups, think off-duty ballerina. But it's not just about how your muscles look; it's about how they move.
Pilates is a functional practice that can help with retraining imbalanced movement patterns and improving posture. It's also a good one for injury rehab and chronic pain conditions (hello, my poor aching body from working at a desk all day). In a recent review paper looking at different types of exercises for managing chronic lower back pain, Pilates was found to be 'more effective than all other exercise types' for improving the condition. As I said, look and feel better.
These are the best pilates retreats in the world right now. Whether you are looking for a week-long or weekend pilates retreat, a hybrid of movement practices or a reformer pilates retreat, I got you covered. Fun fact — did you know pilates got its name from its inventor, Joseph Pilates? I didn't ;)
Best Pilates Retreats in Europe
8 Day Yoga and Reformer Pilates Retreat in Fuerteventura, Spain
If you are like me, deciding exactly what you want out of a holiday is a challenge: rustic European villa or tropical island escape? Activities or spa break? And most recently, yoga or Pilates? Well, thankfully, this wellness retreat is this perfect blend of everything. And no need to have years of experience either.
You will stay in a rustic Spanish villa on Fuerteventura, the second largest of the Canary Islands, located off the coast of Northern Africa. There is a flexible daily program of movement, meditation, and pilates classes led by experienced pilates teachers. The classes are designed to be accessible and challenging for everybody, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners. Also included in the retreat are two reformer classes, one private and one in a small group, which is the perfect opportunity to fine-tune your technique.
If you are just looking to chill, then spend your days lounging by the pool, in the hot tub, or in a hammock in a shady garden nook. One massage is included in the retreat package, but you can have a wellness consultation and pay for extra. If you fancy a bit more of an adventure, then I recommend renting a car and heading off to explore the island's national parks and world-renowned beaches. Gorgeous white sand at any time of year, but perfect if you are looking for a winter wellness European escape.
Duration: 8 days
Price: From €1,010
Closest Airport: Fuerteventura Airport (20 km)
Airport pick-up included? No, but can be arranged for an extra €40
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
4 Day Yoga and Pilates Retreat in the Swiss Alps
There is nothing quite like a deep breath of clean mountain air to give you a mind, body, soul reset. On this retreat, you will stay in a gorgeous boutique alpine lodge and start your day with a pilates or yoga session followed by a nourishing brunch. The early afternoons are yours to explore the local village of Lenk, take an alpine guided hike, or sweat things out in the sauna made from a converted ski lift gondola! You will regroup in the late afternoon for a grounding yoga practice, meditation and pranayama with a wonderful retreat leader. In the evenings, you will enjoy a delicious Ayurvedic-inspired supper before slowly unwinding for the evening. Snacks, herbal teas, and a cable car ticket to explore the surrounding mountains are all included.
There is a train station in the village, so either making your way overland if you are in mainland Europe or catching the train from Geneva Airport is the most environmentally friendly way to reach the retreat.
Duration: 4 days (perfect for shorter trips)
Price: From €933
Closest Airport: Geneva Airport (104 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Contact the organizers
6 Day Pilates Retreat in Málaga, Spain
Shanti Som, located in a national park and just a stone's throw from Marbella, is one of Europe's premier retreat centres offering exceptional facilities, carefully curated retreats, and delicious food.
Shanti Som's pilates retreat includes three mat pilates classes, one reformer Pilates session, meditation and yoga sessions, a group hike, and two spa treatments led by an experienced pilates instructor and practitioners. You can also take full advantage of the center's facilities, which include a spa with sauna and steam room, fitness suite, and swimming pool.
You will stay in a Balinese-inspired beautiful room and enjoy three delicious, well-balanced meals a day. This luxury retreat is the perfect choice if you are looking for a complete physical reset.
Duration: 6 days
Price: From € 2,193
Closest Airport: Málaga Airport (32 km)
Airport pick-up included? You can be arranged a personal driver for an extra €70
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Top Pilates Retreat in the Americas
3 Day Farm-to-Table Pilates Core Fusion Retreat in Vacaville, California
If you can only spare a weekend for a pilates retreat, it has to be this one. Set on an organic farm in Northern Claifornia 400 miles from Los Angeles that has a stellar reputation for its farm-to-table cooking, not only will you move well, you will eat very, very well.
Every day kicks off with a core strength pilates practice and is rounded out with a softer movement practice to make sure you really reap the full benefits of pilates. In between, you can soak up farm life by exploring the grounds on foot or on a bike and even partake in a sourdough baking workshop. If you need some more traditional R+R, then relax by the pool and schedule a massage. To complete the rural retreat experience, you will stay in gorgeous luxe farmhouse accommodation, ranging from bell tents to tiny houses to the main farmhouse. All based on your individual needs.
Duration: 3 days
Price: From € 1,121
Closest Airport: Sacramento International Airport (50 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Mainly vegetarian, check with the organizer for vegan options.
7 Day Soul Journey Movement Retreat with Energy Healing Hypnotherapy in Mexico
Pilates is excellent for keeping you physically balanced and aligned, but what if you are looking for something a little more holistic? This gorgeous retreat promises to give you that full mind, body, and soul treatment with daily pilates or pilates-yoga fusion sessions, meditation and breathwork, energy healing practices, and a deep dive into hypnotherapy to help give your unconscious mind a reset.
The retreat center is nestled in tropical surrounds right on the coast, so even when you are enjoying downtime, you are in a deeply nourishing environment. Not only do you get to enjoy a week soaking up the Mexican sun and culture, but the retreat also includes pre and post-coaching sessions.
Duration: 7 days
Price: From € 2,702
Closest Airport: Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (74 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Best Pilates Retreats in Asia
7 Day Luxury Pilates Retreat in Canggu, Bali
Although this mat, barre, and reformer pilates retreat sounds pretty full-on physically, it also includes unlimited spa treatments. Yes, you read that right, UNLIMITED. SPA. TREATMENTS. So when you're not working on your core stability, why not get a full body massage, or a facial, or work your way through their specialized ayurvedic menu?
This retreat really doesn't scrimp on the luxury; expect gorgeous airy rooms, three healthy food gourmet meals a day, plus unlimited snacks and detox juices; there is even a chauffeur service if you want to go out and about. If you are looking to intensify things a little, then make full use of the fitness suite and if you are after some mental wellbeing, make sure to check out the twice-daily meditation sessions.
Wondering where to go on your next retreats? Nowhere does it quite like Bali.
Duration: 7 days
Price: From € 3,182
Closest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (12 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
7 Day Fitness, Meditation, and Reformer Pilates Retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand
If you are looking for a pilates retreat that will give you a complete fitness overhaul, this is the one. The Absolute Sanctuary retreat center not only has an extensive fitness suite, they also have a reformer pilates studio (the first in Thailand, in fact!).
As part of this retreat package, you have unlimited access to all the group fitness classes, as well as four personalized personal training sessions. To keep things balanced, you also have access to the steam room of the spa center, and one massage is included in the price (although, feel free to indulge yourself in their spa menu, which includes everything from infrared saunas to Thai full body massages). There's also a pool where you can spend your afternoons unwinding with a good holiday read, or you can relax in the privacy of your suite. Or hop on a scooter and explore the island!
All meals are included and are designed to support your wellness journey, and the retreat center also has a juice bar where you can keep yourself topped up throughout the day.
Duration: 7 days
Price: From € 2,027
Closest Airport: Samui Airport (1 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Pilates Retreats in Africa & Middle-East
5 Days Energizing Pilates Holiday in Dalyan, Turkey
If you are looking for an affordable pilates retreat, this is the pick of the bunch. This retreat includes three-morning pilates fusion sessions, all meals, a traditional Turkish Hammam, and a boat trip along the Dalyan River to visit the famed Turtle Beach, mud baths, and Kaunos Tombs.
This retreat is a real find. You will stay in a lovely, comfortable family-owned retreat center, with a large swimming pool and beautiful gardens with a citrus grove. This is a great place to go and relax whilst getting to experience some of the local highlights and still get your pilates hit.
Duration: 5 days
Price: From € 595
Closest Airport: Dalaman Airport (17 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English, Turkish
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
8 Days New Energy Ashtanga and Pilates Retreat at an Eco-lodge in Essaouira, Morocco
It's no secret that I'm a little in love with Morocco. And Ashtanga. And Pilates. So what better option than this sustainability-conscious retreat which includes three hours of movement and fitness activities a day, daily Pilates and/or Ashtanga classes, general mobility practices and walks. This is all kept in balance by the modern and tasteful eco-lodge accommodation, set in a grove of olive, almond, and citrus trees, complete with a swimming pool, hammam, and sauna, and three delicious and nourishing meals a day.
Your schedule will be pretty full on, but there will also be opportunities to explore the town and medina of Essaouira, located 14 km away. If surfing is your thing, make sure you carve out some time to catch a wave on one of the nearby coast's renowned surf beaches.
Check out more retreats in Morocco and the best riads in Marrakech.
Duration: 8 days
Price: From €1,440
Closest Airport: Essaouira-Mogador Airport (2 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: All levels
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes, but let them know in advance
Yoga Asana Series: Urdhva Dhanurasana aka Wheel Pose
Sanskrit Words: URDHVA DHANURASANA = UPWARD-FACING BOW POSE, aka WHEEL POSE
Urdhva = Upward
Dhanu = bow
Asana = pose
(pronunciation: OORD-vah dah-nour-AHS-anna)
Urdvha Dhanurasana is most often translated as Wheel pose, although the direct Sanskrit translation is upward bow pose. (Confusingly, this pose is sometimes called Chakrasana, which does literally mean wheel (chakra) pose (asana), but Chakrasana tends to mean different yoga poses in different styles of yoga, so let’s stick to Urdhva Dhanurasana = Wheel pose!). More on the heart chakra here.
Why You Should Practice Urdhva Dhanurasana
If you have been spending some time limbering up your back and opening your hip flexors with Bhujangasana (cobra pose) and Ustrasana, then it might be time to start playing around with Urdhva Dhanurasana, aka. Wheel pose.
Note that word, *playing*. Wheel pose is the sort of asana that can take a little time to get familiar and comfortable with — but should not be taken too seriously! Why? Well beyond the fact that yoga asanas are just, well, asanas (not yoga, as a whole — here are some book recommendations if you want to actually get to know more about yoga), trying too much and pushing too hard in this pose hurts.
The trick to keeping this pose pain-free and beneficial for the body is exploring spinal extension.
Spinal extension is the direction the spine moves in when we do an intense backbend (the opposite of spinal flexion in our forward bend). Some areas of the spine are bendier than others. When you rely on a naturally flexible lower back, not only could you potentially injure your low back in the long run, but you are missing out on a load of juicy Urdhva Dhanurasana benefits!
Urdhva Dhanurasana Steps
In these instructions, I have marked out stopping points. Wheel pose usually develops in steps with preparatory poses; each stopping point marks a step you might reach or aim for. Resist the temptation to skip over key alignment principles in order to progress to the next stopping point. The idea is to build a strong physical foundation for the pose.
Once you have reached your stopping point, jump to step 11, which will guide you out of the pose.
- Lie on your back, feet hip-width apart or slightly wider (wider is helpful if you have bigger thighs). Check your ankles are roughly under your knees.
- Optional: Take a few rounds of Bridge pose (covered below) to warm up the spine and hip flexors.
- Place your hands by your ears with your fingers pointing back towards your shoulders. This will create a strong stretch in the wrists.
- Come into Bridge pose: push firmly into your feet (especially the big toe) and lift your hips up. Engage the inner and outer muscles of your thighs by imagining you are squeezing a block between your thighs (or you can literally place yoga blocks there). You are looking for the sweet spot of engagement, so your knees and thighs remain in one line, neither tracking in nor out. Gently engage your glutes. Stopping point 1.
- Push firmly into your hands. On an exhale, push into your hands just enough to lift your upper body, so the top of your head can very, very lightly rest on your yoga mat (do not put weight into your head and neck).
- Your elbows will want to splay outwards, so engage the muscles of your inner arms to draw them into the midline of your body. Feel the muscles around your shoulder girdle firm up as you do this. Stopping point 2.
- Keep all this engagement, and feel your connection to the earth through your hands and feet. Push firmly into them to lift up. Let the head hang, and the neck relax. Stopping point 3.
- If you can, straighten your arms (all the way, or just a little). Check that the shoulder blades are still spreading across the back. The muscles around the shoulder girdle and the upper arms are firmly engaged to keep the upper body strong.
- It’s not uncommon for the toes to point outwards — a little bit of a turn out is fine (especially if that is how your pelvis and femurs are structured), but try not to let them splay out all the way. Contracting your inner thighs together helps with this. Stopping point 4.
- Refine your pelvis and protect your lower back: tuck your tailbone under slightly. Become aware of the area where your gluteus maximus meet your hamstrings (just under your butt) and see if you can engage the muscles in this area. Stopping point 5.
- Play around:
- Explore walking the feet in.
- Open your heart: push through your feet and hands firmly and extend through the upper back to send your chest and heart to the back of the room.
- Lift one toe off the ground and then the other.
- To come out of the pose, take your time and gently touch your head down to the mat. Then tuck your chin so you can place the back of your head down on to the mat. Slowly lower all the way down.
- Take a few breaths lying flat on the mat, notice the effects of the pose.
- Take the feet as wide as your mat and let the knees knock together, widening and releasing through the lower back and pelvis.
- From here, a twist is a great way to neutralize and stretch out the spine.
Urdhva Dhanurasana Benefits
- Full body strengthening and opening.
- Spinal mobility, especially upper back (thoracic spine) extension.
- Chest and shoulder opening.
- Builds strength in the shoulders and arms.
- Improves posture: opens through the whole front of the body, especially the hip flexors, front of thighs, and chest. This makes it the perfect pose to counterbalance desk life.
Urdhva Dhanurasana Variations, Tips, and Tricks
Anatomy 101: Get To Know Your Spine
Understanding how your spine is structured and where you want to be focusing, opening, and stabilizing during Urdhva Dhanurasana can help improve your Wheel pose and backbending in general.
The human spine is divided into four parts:
- The cervical spine, aka the neck
- The thoracic spine, aka your upper back
- The lumbar spine, aka your lower back
- The sacral spine, aka your sacrum (the fused vertebrae at the back of your pelvis).
Why is it helpful to know about the spine to benefit your Wheel pose and improve your backbends in general? The different parts of the spine have different levels of flexibility and also like to move in different ways. Understanding the mechanics of your spine can help you pinpoint where you need to focus on to improve your backbends or make them safer.
Spinal Mobility and Urdhva Dhanurasana
The bendiest part of your spine = your neck — but all you need to do in your wheel pose is let the head hang heavy. The least mobile part of your spine = the sacral spine; these vertebrae are fused and are a part of the pelvis, so whatever the pelvis does, the sacrum does. In Wheel pose, we lengthen the sacrum, i.e. tuck the pelvis under slightly instead of letting it tip back.
Why do we lengthen the sacrum? To support our super mobile, flexible, and bendy lower back. The lumbar spine has a lordotic curve, meaning it curves the same way the letter C does. Apart from the neck, it is the most mobile part of the spine because unlike the thoracic spine, which is attached to the ribs, so it can’t go that many places, these vertebrae hang loose.
So super flexi-lower back means super-flexi backbends, right? Sort of, but this is not what we are aiming for. It’s really easy to use just a few vertebrae in the lower back to create the illusion of a deep backend, but there is very little whole spinal extension going on in reality. In time, this can lead to lower back ache and even disc problems. This is why we engage the glutes and lengthen the sacrum, as this prevents the lower back from overextending and helps distribute the spinal extension through the spine. The other thing we do is focus on chest opening. Why? To bring some much needed spinal extension into our upper backs.
The thoracic spine has a kyphotic curve (a backwards C shape), and it likes to round forward (spinal flexion) and hunch. It also has a lot less free movement, as mentioned above, because our ribs attach to it. To counterbalance that rounding — which can lead to poor posture, upper backache, and impact the neck — it’s helpful to improve the general mobility in this area of the body. This includes bringing into spinal extension — the opposite of its preferred natural movement.
In your Urdhva Dhanurasana, focus on your upper back. Think about bringing the extension up into these vertebrae; not only is it beneficial for the upper back and posture, but it helps support your whole spine by distributing the bend throughout the spine!
Warm-up
Wheel pose is excellent because it works on the whole body; this also means the entire body needs to be warmed up and prepared for the pose! Focus on opening through the front of the body, especially the fronts of your thighs and hip flexors, and mobiling around the shoulders and chest. Opening through the heart is helpful, but making sure your shoulder girdle is strong and stable is also integral for this pose.
Balance Strength and Flexibility
When people struggle to lift up into a full Wheel Pose, it is usually due to one of three things: they are not strong enough in the arms and/or shoulders, glutes, and legs; they are not open enough in the shoulder joints, and/or chest, or hip joint; or they are afraid.
If you are afraid, it is a mental block. These are normal, and how you choose to navigate the mental block is personal. Please don’t push yourself beyond the threshold of comfortability; you may feel able to try and work on your Urdhva Dhanurasana regularly, and slowly chip away at the fear or resistance. However, if it is evoking a strong reaction, probably best to leave it for a while. There are plenty more asana out there, and perhaps in the future, if it feels right, you might return to Urdhva Dhanurasana.
If it is a strength issue: One of the best yoga tricks to build overall strength are sun salutations. Be patient with yourself, and focus on developing strong, stable shoulders during your chaturanga.
If it is a flexibility issue: Developing a regular yoga practice, like doing a sequence like this one or several Surya Namaskar daily, is a great way to develop more mobility and general flexibility. Yin yoga is also a great option to create more flexibility.
Another thing you can do is practice yoga later in the day when the body is more open and warmed up from having been up and about for several hours.
Best Urdhva Dhanurasana Variations
Bridge pose
Bridge pose is like a baby Wheel pose. It’s a great alternative that works many of the same areas of the body and is probably the best warm-up pose. Finding as much spinal extension as possible in Bridge pose is integral before moving on to Wheel pose.
To do Bridge pose, start lying on your back, just like Urdhva Dhanurasana. Push into your feet to lift your hips, and either stay like this and push the palms of your hands firmly into the mat. Or, interlace your hands underneath you; this allows you to open the chest more.
You can also do a restorative bridge pose by placing bricks underneath your sacrum. This is also great for those with pituitary gland issues or low blood pressure who can get dizzy from the intensity of the pose.
Dhanurasana
Bow pose! Because Urdhva Dhanurasana is an ‘Upward-Facing Bow Pose’. The benefits of Dhanurasana as a preparatory or alternative yoga pose to Wheel pose is that it is particularly good at opening up the chest and shoulders. It can help you find the flexibility you need in the upper body to lift up into Dhanurasana comfortably.
Eka Pada Urdhva Dhanurasana
If you are comfortable in your Wheel Pose and looking for advanced asanas, try exploring One-Legged (‘Eka Pada’) Wheel Pose, a challenging pose that looks and feels amazing.
The aim is to work on lifting one leg up towards the sky. However, start by getting comfortable with just lifting your toes off the ground. You will feel how your weight shifts and how you have to redistribute your weight evenly across the points of your body that have contact with the ground to maintain integrity in the pose.
Remember to practice on both legs; it’s common to find it easier on one side than the other. Even if it feels less fluid or not as natural on the other side, it’s an opportunity to work on any weaknesses in strength or flexibility on that side!
Urdhva Dhanurasana Sequencing
It’s essential that your body is warm and you have spent lots of time preparing your spine, hip flexors, and shoulders before you practice this pose. In the Ashtanga Yoga Primary series, Urdhva Dhanurasana is the first pose of the finishing sequence — it comes so close to the end because it means the body is properly warmed up by the time you reach it.
Even if Wheel pose is a regular fixture of your yoga practice, don’t be tempted to put it too early in a sequence — it doesn’t take much to upset your back.
If you are working towards Urdhva Dhanurasana, it is great as a peak pose. A peak pose is when you build an entire sequence around preparing for a particular (usually complex) pose. If you're a yoga teacher, an Urdhva Dhanurasana sequence might involve: Cat-Cows at the beginning to mobilize the spine, extra holds in plank pose to strengthen your shoulders, low and high lunges to prepare your hip flexors, Trikonasana to open the sides of the body, Gomukhasana to open up the chest, and Camel pose.
So that is everything you need to practice Urdhva Dhanurasana safely! Happy yoga-ing.
Berlin Sex Club: My Kitkat Experience
I remember being at my Couchsurfing host Laura in Milan in preparation for my arrival to Berlin, about six years ago. She lived between the two cities, spent a lot of her weekends in Berlin, and kept yapping on about how free-spirited Berlin was. Specifically, she mentioned several times how wonderful it was that people were just strutting totally nude in Berlin sex clubs such as Berghain (an abandoned power plant turned into the most famous techno club, AKA the church of techno) and Kitkat Berlin, getting it on in public in central Berlin as casually as you’d sip a beer on a rocking chair on the porch of the Marina back where I'm from.
I remember thinking she was either completely off her rocker, or something decidedly weird or wrong was going down in Berlin.
I remember thinking that. That was cute.
Fast-forward five years, and find me half-naked in a Berlin sex club.
Oh, Berlin.
Berlin, Berlin, Berlin. A great place to come indeed...
So where to start. Maybe with the fact that I am excessively prude, despite what the people in my social circle would say of me right now. I really am! But there is this very healthy approach to nudity in Germany that’s been captivating me since day one. And Berlin has loosened me up, in all the best possible ways.
If you're just passing through Germany's capital and are curious about the club scene, you've come to the right place. Berlin is regarded as the party capital of Europe and there is even a club commission and people like Lutz Leichsenring to literally fight for our right to paaaaarty and make sure the city's nightlife is alive and well and the best place for all old and young people to enjoy together. So come to club nights with an open mind, there is so much to explore in Berlin outside of the mainstream clubs.
I haven't visited that many sex clubs in Berlin or plain Berlin clubs for that matter, but outside of Kitkat, there is, of course, one of the most famous clubs — Berghain, with its legendary doorman Sven Marquardt and its wonderful Panorama bar, some more obscure sex parties like House of Red Doors (follow Bad Bruises on Instagram) and Kater Blau which is a lot tamer. The city's nightlife and the best clubs come alive very late in Berlin but it is so much fun I promise — so have an afternoon nap, drink a Redbull, or, ya know, do what it is you gotta do in order to stay up late for the Berlin nightclub.
My friends, please come to the dark side. And Elon Musk, please go to bed. I hope it's Friday night? Saturday night will also do. You've come to the right place. Grab your fetish wear (some recommendations below) and why not maybe some body paint, and get ready for a good time. Many clubs in Berlin are regarded as cultural institutions, so you're not just (potentially) having casual sex, you are doing something a little bit cultural! I'm really not a techno fan, but for me anything that has to do with cultural resurgence after the fall of the Berlin wall is absolutely fascinating and worth seeing.
No matter your sexual orientation, the club culture in Berlin is a safe space and open environment for all to be free and enjoy hedonism. Kitkat is not a gay sex club per se, but really anything goes here. Every second Friday is Revolver, where Kit Kat becomes a gay club for a night, an especially good time for my gay men friends ou there. Do check out their special events Electric Monday or Carneball Bizarre parties too! And let me know if you have more gay bar recommendations.
So what's the deal with KitKat Berlin and the sex club Berlin scene?
It all started as a bit of a joke when I was trying to convince myself that going to a spa completely nude with a group of friends was no biggie. In the German capital, it’s considered unhygienic to use the spa facilities with a swimsuit on, so everyone’s in the buff. So I guess it’s the spa culture that pulled me into this investigation of public nudity, and along came the important role of the FKK movement (Freikörperkultur, or "free body culture", in English). I can’t quite pinpoint when I got completed sucked into the Berlin sex culture and decided I wanted to know more and free my own body. But I did and, as it’d been the case with several aspects of my life since becoming single, I also wanted to test my own boundaries, do the sex club Berlin thing, and so this Kitkat Berlin review was born.
Was I naive before or has Berlin turned me into a pervert? There's a bit of truth in both, I suppose.
First time? Here for the KitKat Club dress code? Read on!
In the grander scheme of Kit Kat Berlin or any sex clubs Berlin stories though, my experience was pretty tame. I went with a girlfriend, danced the night away, watched all the beautiful people strut their stuff and more, and got home by 7am, which is pretty early for a night out in Berlin if you ask me. What’s been more interesting was to observe the changes that have operated in me between being shell-shocked that such a thing would happen when I was back in Milan, and seeing it as an innocent night out with a pal a few years later. Sure, there were people having public sex around me, but to me, at that moment in time, it was just beautiful. My KitKat Berlin experience was beautiful. And I was beautiful. And everyone was beautiful.
Bored of the sex club Berlin options already? Check out my Berlin tour recommendations!
Planning to visit Kitkat Berlin or any Berlin Sex Clubs?
The kit Kat berlin dress code
Wondering about the sex clubs in Berlin dress code and just how much of a strict dress code it is? While there aren't any strict dress codes, be aware that the less you wear the better when doing the sex club Berlin thing (and also the better the chances of getting into any great club that has fetish parties)! It is a Berlin sex party after all! I visited Kitkat Club wearing these latex hotpants and a see-through bralette and felt overdress. So I got one of these little numbers for my next Kit Kat club outfit! If you have time and you're in Berlin, you can also visit Maskworld, Superschlüpfer, and Swartzer Reiter for a Kitkat Berlin outfit and all sorts of kinky things. And that goes both for men and women. Kit Kat Club dress code is chill, but just don't wear too much - especially if you're a single man ;)
What about kitkatclub berlin outfits for men?
Ah yes, the male kit kat club what to wear conundrum. I receive a lot of messages from men who tell me they have no idea what to pick for a Kit Kat Club Sex outfit or ask me how to dress for KitKat berlin if you're a dude. In doubt, keep it simple, and keep it black. You've probably noticed by now that Berlin's official dress code is ALL BLACK EVERYTHING, so obviously the same goes for the Kitkat dress code. A simple pair of black shorts and a bare chest will do. I'm hoping you're accompanied by a female, otherwise, chances of getting in are greatly reduced. It's just... like that, I'm sorry boys. People in a large group will also struggle getting in, so do spread out. Beware that there can be long queues at peak times. Sometimes visiting on Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon can be the best thing. Get a good night rest, go get brunch, and then go to the fetish club :) A very Berlin way to spend the weekend!
Just don't stress out, wear as little as you're comfortable with (but wear shoes, for goodness sake, ew!) and you'll be fine. People are undressing at the cloakroom, so you can get a sense of what goes once you're there too, and you can remove more or less once you're there. Always a good idea to carry condoms and set up a meeting point with your friends — there are a lot of people!
What's your Kit Kat Berlin dress code? I'm curious!
What’s going to happen once you’re in there?
Nothing you don’t want to happen! Kitkat Club Berlin has got to be the most consensual place I have ever visited. But before all that, if you’re anything like me, I was curious about the logistics of getting “undressed” once you arrive there and have passed the KitKat club berlin door policy test.
After being asked by the doorman if we were wearing anything a bit sexier under our woolly jumpers and both of us simultaneously flashing him, we followed everyone and disrobed, leaving everything in the free cloakroom.
KitKat dresscode unlocked, we are in!
Kitkatclub is super chill! The people are beautiful, there are loads of chilling, dancing, and cuddling areas, and some darker areas where naughtier stuff is happening, but really, it’s for you to decide what you do with your evening. With such a place comes a set of rules and I felt respected and comfortable to a point I never did in any other random bar.
There are several sizes of dance floor to pick from at KitKat with different styles of music (some great and not-so-great music in my opinion!), generally a main room, and some rooms dedicated to the sexy stuff (the dark room).
There’s nothing more you should specifically know about Kit Kat Club Berlin. I think it’s something that should be experienced if that’s what you’re into, not because that’s “the thing to do.” But if you love to feel free and liberated if you’re comfortable with nudity and with people screwing around you, if you’re kinky as I am and want to know more about Kitkat Berlin sex, if the idea of feeling like you’re in that scene from Super Troopers or in a Stanley Kubrick movie rocks your world as it did for me, then by all means go and visit a Berlin sex club and tick the damn Kit Kat Club Berlin Germany checkmark of your damn German list, kiddo. It may well be one of your best clubbing experiences. Go get it.
Have you been to Berlin sex clubs? How was your sex clubs Berlin experience? What is the best club, the best dark rooms?
More Berlin tours and activities
Best Thrift Stores Manchester Guide
Anyone who has walked the streets of Manchester can tell you that it’s a fashionable city. From students to office workers, its residents are known for their effortless style and love of retro fashion trends. One of the reasons for this is the many fantastic vintage shops and thrift stores Manchester has to offer. In fact, the city’s alternative Northern Quarter is home to some of the best vintage clothing stores and boutique charity shops in the entire country.
Whether you’re looking for elegant 50s dresses, 70s mod jackets, 90s band tees, or just great deals on clothes, you’re guaranteed to find it in Manchester. There’s so much more on offer than the unwanted hand-me-downs often associated with second-hand stores. Manchester’s vintage shops are packed with high-quality and great-value treasures.
Ready to shop? Below are 8 of the best thrift stores in Manchester.
My Thrift Stores Manchester Guide
Afflecks
Afflecks is a large indoor market in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The famous shopping emporium is spread over multiple floors and is known for its quirky independent traders, including plenty of thrift shops and vintage fashion.
Traders regularly change and there’s always something new to discover. Milner & Son is a cool spot for vintage clothing, second-hand homeware, and retro toys and gadgets. Red and Blue Umbrella focus on cartoon vintage and sportswear. Or for something a little fun and different, American Graffiti is one of the most colourful vintage and retro shops Manchester has to offer. If you’re looking for a costume for your next fancy dress party, this is the place to go.
With a variety of traders all under one roof, Afflecks is a great one-stop destination for vintage shopping in Manchester. Especially during rainy winter months when you don’t want to be outside too much.
Address: 52 Church Street, Manchester
Blue Rinse
It’s almost impossible to miss Blue Rinse when walking along Oldham Street in Manchester, with its colourful graffiti exterior, ever-changing window display, and name in bold bubble letters.
Inside, the vintage store is just as colourful. Brightly decorated murals frame rows of vintage, reworked and thrifted clothing, specialising in 80s and 90s fashion. If oversized denim, patterned knits, and flannel shirts are your style, Blue Rinse is the vintage store in Manchester for you. The shop also has some great vintage football jerseys and sports gear.
Plus don’t miss the daily kilo sale, with 1kg of vintage clothing for just £15. The entrance is right next door to the main Blue Rinse shop.
Address: 29-31 Oldham Street, Manchester
Pop Boutique
While Pop Boutique now has multiple locations in cities across England and Sweden, their story began in Manchester in 1985 with their first permanent vintage shop in Afflecks. The small clothing store can still be found in its original location in the market today. Almost 10 years later, the brand expanded by opening its now-iconic Oldham Street store.
Pop Boutique on Oldham Street is one of the best vintage stores in Manchester, with two floors packed with fantastic thrifted items. On the ground floor, you’ll find plenty of recycled and vintage clothing from the 50s-90s, as well as their own brand collection. Downstairs is an all-in-one vintage shopping haven, with everything from retro jewellery, bags and shoes to an eclectic selection of furniture and homeware.
The popular Manchester thrift store even has its own hairdressers and a cute cafe serving food and coffees. Everything you need for a great day out.
Address: 34-36 Oldham Street, Manchester
Oxfam Originals
Just across the street from Pop Boutique is another of the best thrift stores Manchester has to offer, Oxfam Originals.
Oxfam Originals isn’t your average Oxfam charity shop. Their Manchester thrift shop stocks a curated collection of only the very best donated vintage and designer clothes. You’ll find high-end brands including Fred Perry, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and plenty more.
While the prices may be slightly higher than other Oxfam shops, the store offers fantastic value for money, with lots of unique, signature pieces that you definitely won’t find anywhere else.
Address: Unit 8, Smithfield Buildings, 51 Oldham Street, Manchester
Thrift Shop Manchester
Thrift Shop Manchester is a hidden treasure trove of great vintage items right on the corner of bustling Piccadilly Gardens. Despite being in a different neighbourhood to many of Manchester’s other best thrift stores, it’s certainly worth the detour for a visit.
The store’s vintage clothing offering includes plenty of denim and leather jackets, colourful tees and playful shirts. Items are labelled by colour to indicate the price and any deals, which includes 3 for £10 on many pieces. You’re guaranteed to find a bargain here if you’re thrift shopping in Manchester on a budget.
Thrift Shop is part of the Cow Family, which owns several vintage clothes shops in Manchester including COW (below).
Address: 39 Parker Street, Manchester
COW Vintage
Sister store to Thrift Shop, COW Vintage is a high-end boutique in Manchester with two floors of ethical vintage, upcycled, and handmade clothing. The store has a huge focus on sustainability, so you know that your purchase won’t be harming the environment.
COW specialises in 90s and Y2K clothing, with band tees, halter tops, floral dresses and bomber jackets galore. Make sure you check out their reworked items too, with trendy modern alterations to older vintage pieces that needed some extra love.
Address: 61 Church Street, Manchester
Bags of Flavor
Bags of Flavour is another of the best vintage shops in Manchester. But this time for the guys.
The shop’s unique name comes from owner Richard Gill’s 20+ years of creating one-of-a-kind bags from damaged vintage clothing and fabrics. He started making these bags whilst living in the states, hence the Americanised spelling.
The small retro boutique now also sells a carefully curated and handpicked selection of 70s and 80s men’s clothing, with a focus on sportswear, puffer jackets, and sneakers. The store is known for its unbeatable range of old-school men’s Adidas gear.
Address: 13 Tib Street, Manchester
RSPCA Charity Shop
Last but certainly not least, RSPCA NQ is a boutique charity shop in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. All profits go to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, so it’s a must-visit if you’re an animal lover. The charity thrift shop has some great vintage and retro clothing, as well as bags, books, games, homeware, and more.
Address: 15 Oak Street, Manchester
Where to Stay in Manchester? My Accommodation Guide
Wondering where to stay in Manchester and what the best hotels are? Manchester is one of the UK’s most iconic and best places, with a music scene that has given birth to bands like Oasis and Joy Division as well as a few football teams that are kind of a big deal. But as a city break destination, it’s often overlooked when compared to London or several of the other bigger cities in England — which is crazy considering it has so many things to see and do and the level of quality Manchester accommodation you can find.
My recent impromptu visit to the city — these things happen when you love to travel, and you find an amazing Manchester-based tattoo artist on Instagram — began by roaming the depths of Booking.com to find Manchester accommodation that suited my requirements. And also something that offered an ideal home-away-from-home to recover from several days of tattooing and exploring the Manchester vegan scene and the best Manchester thirft stores (one of my fave travel activities!). Fortunately, my search proved to be fruitful, and I stumbled upon plenty of incredible places to stay in Manchester.
Wondering what the best Manchester hotels are? Whether you’re looking for Manchester Piccadilly hotels that are a quick stroll from Piccadilly rail station and easy access to Manchester Airport, or a boutique accommodation for a bespoke trip in one of Manchester’s best neighborhoods, or quirky spots immersed in Manchester’s most lively areas which you search for the best Manchester art gallery — this post will prove more than enough choices to suit your needs!
Where to Stay in Manchester
Cow Hollow Hotel
Located in the Northern Quarter not too far from Market Street and many tourist attractions, this restored turn-of-the-century textile mill is undoubtedly one of the most interesting boutique hotels in Manchester, which is home to 16 luxury hotel rooms. While the Cow Hollow is a high-tech and beautiful hotel, it doesn’t shy away from the history of the building and fully embraces the industrial aesthetic. Everyone loses their shit a bit over exposed brick, don’t they? Every room, as well as the lobby and bar, is beautifully designed, offers a luxury experience, and is affordable. They do have a beautiful on-site bar called the Plantation Bar, which has several beautiful seating areas engulfed with lush palm trees.
One of the more interesting things I found about the Cow Hollow is that rather than having their own restaurant, they prefer to focus on what they do best — being a bespoke hotel. Instead, they are good friends with several eateries in the area and can provide genuinely informative and helpful suggestions — which is especially beneficial if you're like me, and always looking for a decent vegan spot to eat nearby.
Check out prices at Cow Hollow now!
Native Manchester
Native (formerly The Place Aparthotel) is situated in The Ducie Street Warehouse, a grade-two Victorian Warehouse that boasts six floors of 166 apartments and eight penthouses with private outdoor terraces. So yeah, as far as Manchester Piccadilly hotels (near the station) go, Native is definitely one to scribble down on your to-do list.
If you’re looking for Manchester accommodation that’s not only in the heart of the city but also has lots to offer — you can’t go wrong here. This apartment hotel has a restaurant and bar, a coffee shop, and even fitness studios for travelers who don’t let wanderlust get in the way of their workout regime — or if you’re like me and love a peaceful yoga space. When it comes to the rooms themselves, the generous kitchen and living space are perfect for returning after a long day of exploring the city and feel right at home!
Although Native has done a fantastic job of creating an environment that almost makes it seem like a shame to leave, the surrounding neighborhood is definitely worth exploring. So if you’re looking for a few things to check out nearby, you can do so here.
Check out prices at Native Manchester now!
Selina
Selina’s NQ1 Manchester accommodation is one of their many locations throughout the world, and much like Native, it’s situated in a refurbished Victorian building. You’ll find that this tends to be the case in cities such as Manchester as they have a rich industrial history, for which the buildings make ideal locations for delightful hotels and apartments.
But this isn’t a history lesson, let’s get back on track. One of a few fab budget hotels of Greater Manchester, Selina is located in an area that’s jam-packed with vintage stores, artisan coffee shops, and all the pubs you could possibly need for a good night out — and a subsequent wicked hangover. In regards to the accommodation itself, the rooms range from twins to six-bed community hostel-style rooms, making it an ideal location if you’re traveling solo or with a group. They also have an on-site coffee shop, restaurant, and bar — but one of the most interesting aspects of Selina is their co-working space. This, coupled with their high-speed Wifi, makes it a brilliant place to stay if you’re a blogger or freelancer in need of a space to get some work done.
Check out prices at Selina now!
Malmaison
Malmaison is a hotel that fully embraces the finer things in life and reflects this throughout the entirety of its 117 luxury rooms and 13 suites. Whether you’re on a business trip or simply there to see the sights, this is a boutique hotel in Manchester that will live long in memory. Located right across the road from Picadilly Station, Malmaison puts you amongst the hustle and bustle of the city. Not only giving you an authentic feel for the city, but it also means you won’t have far to walk if you want to explore.
Their on-site Chez Mal restaurant serves locally-sourced and inspired dishes with a great vegan menu, while the Chez Mal bar will provide all you need in more in the form of cocktails and other drinks. Also, they have a fully-equipped gym and luxury spa — so if the weather is particularly awful (it often is in the UK), you have everything you need to relax under one roof.
Check out prices at Malmaison now!
Velvet Hotel
Although there are many, many places to stay in Manchester — few will have the charming, luxurious appeal of the Velvet Hotel. Located on Canal Street in the Village, one of the city’s most lively districts, the Velvet is another of Manchester’s Piccadilly hotels to keep in mind. Every room and penthouse suite has been designed individually, so you know that a lot of thought has gone into making it as comfortable and accessible as possible. Their not-so-standard ‘King Rooms’ is the most affordable available, whereas the Penthouse Suite is more idyllic for those with lots of cash to spend.
Downstairs you’ll find the Velvet Bar and Restaurant, both of which maintain the same charming passion for luxury both in the style and design as well as the food and drink they serve. It’s clear that their goal is to WOW you at every corner, which they do a good job of, but also they succeed in giving you a beautiful and comfortable place to lay your head down for the night. What more could you want?
Check out prices at Velvet Hotel Manchester now!
Whitworth Locke
Whitworth Locke is the perfect Manchester accommodation for creatives who appreciate history, design, and a place where — as they put it themselves — the “lines between work & play blur”. Located in an old cotton mill a short walking distance to and from Palace Theatre, this is another place to stay in Manchester that benefits from a raw industrial vibe, with a few sprinkles of creative thought, authentic culture, and a passion for bespoke hospitality that is difficult to rival.
I’m someone who always appreciates the quirkier things in life, so Whitworth Locke’s bright color schemes and creative living spaces are a good place for a home-away-from-home. With 160 apartments and suites to choose from, each varying in shape, size, and design, it’s safe to say each stay at Whitworth Locke will be a unique experience. Their on-site ‘Cotton Mill Bar and Restaurant’ continues the creative spirit and features a vast range of locally-inspired cuisine as well as Peruvian dishes from Peru Perdu.
Being situated in Manchester’s Civic Quarter, this hotel is only minutes away from many independent shops and bars, ideal if you’re someone who prefers to avoid chain stores and check out what the real people of a city have to offer.
Check out prices at Whitworth Locke now!
Victoria Warehouse Hotel
As you can probably guess from its name, the Victoria Warehouse Hotel is a beautifully restored Victorian warehouse that’s about a ten-minute drive from Manchester city centre and nearby Salford Quays - not to be confused with Victoria Station and the Manchester arena area. Many other hotels in Manchester opt for an industrial appeal, but this has got to be one of the most authentic and effective of them all. At a glance, the rooms may appear to be a bit bare and basic, but you’ll soon begin to notice intricate details and a warmth that makes it a really pleasant place to stay.
Each room has all of the usual amenities such as tea and coffee, etc. But one of the best things for people who like to get up and go is the ‘grab and go’ breakfast they offer every guest, ideal fuel for stomping around the city for a whole day. Also, they have an in-house yoga studio which guests can use to take part in evening classes. So whether you’re a yoga fiend such as myself or want to stretch out after a long day of travel, you won’t have to leave the hotel to do so.
Check out prices at Victoria Warehouse now!
Hotel Gotham
Last but most definitely not least, Hotel Gotham is the perfect place for luxury and extravagance when it comes to Manchester accommodation. With 60 rooms (55 rooms and five “inner sanctum suites” that feature original features such as bespoke furniture, enormous luxurious beds, marble bathrooms, floor to ceiling windows, and Egyptian cotton bed sheets (I mean, why wouldn’t they?) — it’s safe to say they strive to ensure that every guest is as relaxed and blown away as possible.
Every room spares no expense when it comes to design with dazzling geometric carpets and dramatic windows, while the dark polished woods, tactile burnished metals, and luxurious leather make for a unique sensory experience. This is combined with features that make sure guests have everything they need. Examples of which include an espresso machine, soft robes, mini bar, seated area, and also a TV and Wifi.
Check out prices at Hotel Gotham now!
Are there any places to stay in Manchester that you think should be on the list? Let me know!
My Best Yoga Retreats Europe Guide
Summer is almost here! It’s time to plan a yoga retreat Europe vacation! I know many of you (including myself) often look towards South-East Asia (Thailand and Sri Lanka are high up on my list) or South America for a yoga retreat, but when the budget is tight and the time is short, there’s no need to go too far afield, as there are amazing options for a retreat in Europe. And while some countries may seem more appropriate than others for the best yoga retreats Europe locations because of their proximity to beautiful beaches or nature, I’ve found that there are fantastic options where to go in Europe for stress relief with daily yoga classes and meditation, especially for a short break.
Below are the best European countries and best places on my radar for the best yoga retreat Europe options in 2022. I've tried to cover all bases from luxury yoga retreat center to more affordable yoga retreat options. For more spiritual retreats ideas, check those out if you're after either a detox retreat, a retreat for couples, some meditation retreat options, or, why the hell not, an ayahuasca retreat.
First Class Yoga Retreats in Europe: My Recommendations
7 Days yoga holiday europe in Algarve, Portugal
Located along the beautiful Algarve Coast of Portugal (a popular destination in and out of itself), this seven-day week-long peaceful yoga retreat with The Jewel of Yoga offers European yoga retreats trips to relax and unwind through yoga sessions, meditation classes, and spa treatments. Daily yoga sessions and pranayama are paired with free time for you to hit the beach, hang by the pool, walk in the national park, take surf lessons, or treat yourself with a relaxing massage. You can also rent a car to visit the surrounding coastal area.
The intimate accommodation is five minutes away from famous surf camps and beautiful trekking areas. Pair that with fresh organic meals, comfortable facilities, and a relaxing environment, and you've got yourself a wonderful hatha yoga holidays Europe you'll remember forever.
Duration: 7 days
Price: From $1,363
Closest Airport: Faro (60 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Good for all yoga practitioners
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Vegan meals on request
Check out retreats in Lagos now!
Back to Nature Mountain Retreat, France
Set in a beautiful location amidst the snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, waterfalls, forests, and lakes of the beautiful French Alps, these retreats combine the rejuvenating activities of yoga, meditation, Qi Gong, hiking, and forest bathing, with personal development work with a certified life and leadership coach. This is an opportunity to press pause on the everyday and immerse yourself in nature. Mountain guides will take you beyond the beaten path to explore the natural wilderness of the magnificent Alps. With plenty of time outdoors you will welcome deep sleep at the retreat base – a stylishly renovated Alpine farmhouse – along with relaxing soaks in the hot tub and time out in the sauna.
The four-night fully inclusive retreats take advantage of the stunning mountain seasons, and a delicious menu made with locally sourced and foraged ingredients. Spaces are limited to 4 to 12 participants per retreat so go ahead and reserve your spot on one of the remaining retreats: Summer Flourishing (23-27 June 2022), Autumn Harvest (12-16 October 2022) or Winter Wonderland (26-30 January 2023).
Duration: 4 days
Price: From €2000
Closest Airport: Geneva (60 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out retreats at Alikats Mountain Holidays now!
Sun Salute Retreats in Costa Blanca, Spain
Kilometers upon kilometers of white sand beaches and beautiful cliffs will be the natural beauty backdrop of one of the best yoga holidays in Europe at Sun Salute Retreats in Costa Blanca, Spain. What more can you ask for? A yoga retreat that’s located a mere few footsteps from the beach? You got it all, at Sun Salute Retreats — it's the perfect place. Here, you can combine various activities in small groups, and create your very own schedule away from the bustle of everyday life, and the prices are really fair. A great value!
Discover the Spanish culture, sample the local cuisine, relax on the beach, go scuba diving, go cycling, discover local markets, and of course do plenty of yoga style, including both restorative yoga and yoga nidra at the end of the day! One of the best yoga retreats in Europe, Sun Salute is a really amazing way to combine your European travel with a yoga retreat and do a bit of everything. The Sun Salute crew is an inspiring community that promotes the wellbeing of the spirit and body through natural healing and fitness. Cozy accommodation, vegan-friendly local cuisine. Sold.
Duration: 5 days
Price: From $563
Closest Airport: Murcia-San Javier (30 km)
Airport pick-up included? Yes
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes!
Check out retreats at Sun Salute now!
Greek Island Mid Summer Retreat with High on Yoga
This is where I'll be heading this Summer with my favorite Berlin yoga teachers. Mateusz and Anita are two absolute rays of sunshine offering some stellar yoga classes and I have never looked back since I started practicing with them in 2017. I also did my recent yoga teacher training in Berlin with Mateusz and so I feel like we've developed a relationship where he truly understands my practice and guides me accordingly. The retreat will be located in the beautiful island of Aegina, in a villa hidden from the main bustle and surrounded by a huge garden, right next to the beach. I think you should join us!
Duration: one week
Price: From €850
Closest Airport: Athens (40 minutes)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: Yes
Check out retreats at High on Yoga now!
Europe Retreat on the Amalfi Coast, Italy
Experience the rugged terrains and pastel-toned villages of the nearby Amalfi Coast as you join this yoga and culinary retreat. Alongside daily yoga and meditation sessions, the retreat includes cooking classes, healthy food, and several excursions to local villages, farmers' markets, and wine cellars. The lovely hosts are passionate yogis who have been traveling around the world in search of alternative ways to improve their lives, live at a slower pace, and practice yoga for over ten years.
Join them for a few days to experience all the health benefits of great yoga and amazing nutritious food, alongside breathtaking views of nature, drenched in extra virgin olive oil!
Duration: it's a 5-day retreat
Price: From $1,200
Closest Airport: Naples (31 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out retreats in the Amalfi Coast now!
Jiva Healing in England
Looking for Yoga retreats in the UK? The English countryside will always have a special place in my heart. And Wiltshire is a great reminder of a small town vibe and all the wonderful lush green nature I remember so fondly.
With an abundance of verdant landscapes and prehistoric majesties, Wiltshire is a place that tantalizes all senses. At Jiva Healing, you can combine yoga by different teachers and feel inspired by the impressive 17th-century watermill set in a ten-acre property of woodland and meadows. I can’t really think of more relaxing and rejuvenating beautiful settings for a day yoga practice! One of the best yoga retreats Europe has to offer. What’s even cooler is that the mill is run entirely on renewable energy. Be inspired by the healthy cooking and nutrition classes, alongside daily yoga, meditation and hot tub sessions. Your afternoons are free to explore the surrounding area. One of many great retreats in England!
Duration: 3 to 8 days
Price: From $795
Closest Airport: Southampton (51 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out more retreats in the UK!
Suncokret Body and Soul Retreats in Hvar Island, Croatia
There’s little else that screams yoga retreats Europe holiday other than a yoga retreat on beautiful islands! Recenter yourself and find inner peace with the holistic program at Suncokret Body and Soul Retreats. Set in the cute village of Dol Sveta Ana on Ivar Island, on a backdrop of lush greenery, Suncokret is one of my top yoga retreat Europe 2021 options for the Summer. The program includes daily yoga practice with the wonderful Evening Marie, nature walks on a private island via a short boat trip, organic and nutritious meals, meditation, and a lot of downtime to let you explore and recharge.
Located in the east valley of Dol in Hvar island, Dol Sveta Ana will charm you with fragrant lavender plantations, stone cottages, and farmland. Croatia is always a good idea when it comes to a European yoga retreat!
Duration: 6 to 8 days
Price range: From $877
Closest Airport: Split (48 km)
Airport pick-up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner & Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out more European retreats in Hvar now!
Fykiada Retreats, Greece
Fykiada boutique retreat organizes exclusive luxury yoga retreats Europe trips on the Greek islands in high-end locations a with world-acclaimed yoga teacher selection. From cosmopolitan Mykonos to the otherworldly scenery of Koufonisia and the authentic island of Kythnos, each retreat is one of a kind and tailored to the needs of the group. What makes the greek retreats even more special, is the fact that Fykiada Retreats is run by two girls, Anna & Eranthi, who are island experts and take care of every single detail. From a selection of stunning seaside locations to stylish interiors, conscious welcome gifts, and local touches, everything promises that you'll be taken excellent care of.
Activities at Fykiada include sea-kayaking to hidden beaches, hiking to ancient temples, private sailing to sacred islands, food workshops, dinner to local tavernas and live music are always part of the special experience that it's offered.
Fykiada Retreats collaborates with international yoga teachers who provide unforgettable trips, amazing yoga retreats, and high-quality learning experience.
Duration: various
Price: Depends on duration
Closest Airport: Depends on location
Airport pick up included? No
Skill Level: Beginner & Intermediate
Languages: English
Vegan Friendly?: On request
Check out retreats at Fykiada now!
Disclaimer: Some of the links to these yoga retreat holidays Europe are affiliate links from Tripaneer websites, meaning I get a small commission if you click through and use the service at the other end. This will never cost you any extra and helps me run this blog for your viewing pleasure!
30 Best Eco-Friendly Travel Products
The best eco-friendly travel products are the ones that help you save money, reduce waste and your carbon footprint, and stay connected to your values. I’m all about making travel easier and more sustainable. This roundup of the best eco-friendly travel products will show you a few of my favorite sustainable travel hacks to make your next adventure a breeze!
You’ll find out why I love bamboo toothbrushes, how to quit using plastic while traveling, and other ways to travel sustainably without sacrificing comfort or convenience. I’ve covered it all, from reusable water bottles to solar-powered battery packs. This list of eco-friendly products will help you live greener and travel better.
The Importance of Sustainable Travel
Sustainable travel is important for many reasons, but one of the most important reasons is that it’s essential to keep our planet and everything living on it healthy and safe. Tourism is responsible for approximately 8% of the world’s carbon emissions.
It’s estimated that a single tourist vacation generates an average of 5,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year. While this may not seem like a big deal by itself, add up all those individuals each year and it’s staggering enough to make an impact. So if you're a frequent traveler, please be aware of your environmental impact.
Waste from tourists alone has become such an issue in some popular destinations that locals petition to reduce or completely eliminate tourism. If each individual does his or her part to keep these areas clean and reduce their own waste, we can keep traveling (sustainably) for years to come.
Eco-Friendly Toiletries
Bamboo Toothbrush
- WHY CHOOSE GREENZLA? We've put together the perfect pack of 4 charcoal bamboo toothbrushes, charcoal and mint-essence dental floss in its own glass jar plus a bamboo toothbrush case for easy, clean and neat storage and travel. This natural dental kit is gentle enough to be used by all members of the family to improve and maintain oral hygiene.
- ECO-FRIENDLY & ZERO WASTE. Our eco-friendly toothbrushes are made from sustainably sourced materials that are soft & springy to use, so you wonÕt damage your gums with harsh brushing. Our charcoal mint dental floss cleans hard-to-reach areas of the mouth to maintain healthy gums. And our BPA-free, charcoal-infused bristles help to remove stains from teeth and keep them sparkling and white.
- A COMPLETE DENTAL HYGIENE KIT. Not just for home use, your new bamboo toothbrush can be safely and hygienically sealed inside the bamboo tube holder, while your charcoal dental floss comes sealed hygienically inside a glass jar, so theyre perfect for travel. Whether youre heading off on a long trip or just an overnighter, pop your dental brush and dental floss into your toiletries bag, suitcase or backpack and youre ready to go.
- NATURAL MATERIAL - We use only responsibly sourced natural materials for our dental care pack. Our bamboo toothbrushes, dental floss and bamboo travel holder are all additive, coloring, and BPA-free, so theyÕre better for you and better for the planet too.
- QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST - With Greenzla, you know youre buying a brand of natural quality that you can trust. We specialize in products that are not only eco-friendly, but work exactly as stated _ thats the Greenzla guarantee to you. Even our packaging is recycled and biodegradable! Absolutely love our products - or well give you your money back.
Bamboo toothbrushes are awesome eco friendly alternatives to plastic brushes. It’s not only an eco-friendly travel product, but also something worth investing in for home daily use. The kit comes with four toothbrushes, a wooden carrying case for travel, and a glass jar of charcoal floss. The handle is super-durable and the soft charcoal bristles provide effective cleaning power. The entire thing is zero waste!
Toothpaste Tablets
- 3 Month Supply - The future of oral care - No Plastic, No Waste, No SLS, No GMO, No Nonsense - Just 100% Eco Friendly, Natural, Vegan, Cruelty Free, Recyclable, Super Effective, Mega Minty Mouth Toothpaste (exactly the same as traditional toothpaste just tablet form, not plastic tube)
- Super easy to use! - Pop a tablet in your mouth, chew for 15 seconds and feel the fresh foam fulminate your entire mouth. Brush as normal (dentists recommend 2 minutes), spit and rinse. Repeat twice daily for the best possible results.
- All the ingredients for the healthiest teeth! - We follow the advice from the overwhelming majority of dentists and have included a healthy 1450ppm Fluoride per tablet. Full ingredients list in the description.
- Cleanest and freshest mouth feel ever! - Our tablets are infused with natural mint flavour which give you the dentist clean feel after every use. Great for the home and perfect for travelling, you can take your GloBoid toothpaste tablets wherever you go.
- 100% Money Back Guarantee! At GloBoid our #1 priority is your happiness. If you're not happy, neither are we. We stand by our product 100%, so if you're not satisfied we will do whatever it takes to change this. Whether it be refund, new product or both, we will make it our mission to give you only the best experience - no questions asked.
These toothpaste tablets contain activated charcoal, fluoride, and 180 pieces all conveniently packaged in a zero-waste container. Not to mention, they taste good, are vegan/cruelty-free, and environmentally safe. You don’t have to worry about sacrificing quality, as these tablets do just as good a job as your tube toothpaste at home. Enjoy fresh breath, a clean mouth, whitening, and strong teeth while doing your part to eliminate plastic waste.
Bar Shampoo & Conditioner
- ✔️HIGHEST QUALITY AND NATURAL CARE! Being 100% organic and eco-friendly these shampoo bars are made of high quality all natural ingredients! Cold pressed to achieve the best quality these cute solid bars will naturally treat and restore your hair to its original shiny state without stripping it while the added conditioner effect will make your hair soft and light as a petal! You will notice a difference in the way your wet hair feels after washing!
- ✔️100% ECO-FRIEDNLY AND TRAVEL-FRIENDLY! These shampoo bars do not contain any chemicals or preservatives that can damage your hair while our packaging is 100% biodegradable and recycling! Their compact size and lightweight making these shampoo bars perfect choice for travel camping airplane or on the road helping you take a good care of your hair while being 100% waste free!
- ✔️PACK OF 4 FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY! This pack of shampoo bars comes with 4 unique essences – Lavender, Honey, Seaweed and Chamomile! Designed for all ages, our organic approach of plant-based butters and essential oils such as shea butter cocoa butter cocoa oil olive oil etc…makes these compact hair soaps a smart and safe choice for your kids as well! Each pack will last a person between 4 to 6 months! That’s approximately 2-3 bottles worth of shampoo!
- ✔️ZERO WASTE IS OUR MISSION! Green Earth is our goal! Everything from our products to our packaging is sourced with big care and consideration! We understand that millions shampoo and conditioner bottles are being thrown away each year in the U.S. Our focus and determination are fighting the plastic waste and being part of the solution to stop it for rocketing That is why our products are always 100% plastic and metal free, made of organic ingredients and zero-waste packaging!
- ✔️100% SATISFACTION OR MONEY BACK! Our Shampoo bars are 100 Organic and our packaging is 100% recyclable! We love using them and we know you will love them too! If for any reason or no reason at all you decide to return them we will refund you 100%!
The latest craze in travel toiletries has to be the shampoo bars and conditioner bars that are now available. Many brands are producing these, as not only are they more environmentally friendly and zero waste, but they also help with that pesky problem of liquid toiletries in carry-on luggage.
Biodegradable Soap
- REFRESH YOUR SKIN: Drench your skin in the hydrating blend of coconut and essential oils for a radiant complexion. Our moisturizing bar soap is balanced for all skin types, and its non-irritating formula can be used on your face, body, and hands.. The Vitamin E helps lock in moisture for that fresh, silky feel all day long
- A GENTLE CLEAN: Our bath soap is consciously crafted with nourishing biodegradable ingredients. This gentle, cruelty-free bar soap is safe for all skin types. Find serenity in the shower with your eco-conscious bath soap bars
- REVITALIZING SCENTS: Five scented soap bars for you to choose from: Lemongrass, Grapefruit Basil, Juniper Sandalwood, Sea Spray & Aloe, Sweet Honeysuckle. Discover the fragrance that is right for you with these soaps for women and men
- LATHER UP: Forget the days of dry, cracked skin. Our soaps lather quickly for a lasting clean and fresh feeling. The replenishing blend of essential oils helps scrub away dirt without stripping moisture from your skin
- SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY: Our bar of soap is wrapped in low-waste, paper-based, 100% recyclable packaging, for a plastic-free and responsible clean. Indulge yourself in sustainability without sacrifice
While some people think that biodegradable soap is only necessary when camping, it’s definitely environmentally beneficial to use it during your regular showers and baths as well. The chemicals in normal soap are almost impossible to break down naturally, leading to pollution of water sources. Whether you’re camping or hiking, live in a house with a septic or sewer system, biodegradable soap is ideal for keeping yourself and our water clean.
Zero Waste Deodorant
- 4+ MONTHS SUPPLY LASTS MUCH LONGER THAN OTHER BRANDS of natural deodorant; this 2 pack includes a total 3.7 ounces, one full size stick for your bathroom and one travel size for on the go
- MINI DEODORANT IS PERFECT FOR TRAVEL and fits in your handbag, gym bag or backpack; enjoy the convenience and peace of mind of applying fresh scent to your armpits at any time
- PLASTIC FREE VEGAN DEODORANT WITH 100% COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING in eco-friendly, zero waste biodegradable cardboard push up tubes
- GENTLE MAGNESIUM & BAKING SODA FORMULA; natural moisture absorbing and odor neutralizing ingredients that work even on sensitive skin for effective protection from smelly underarms
- NO STINK & NO NASTIES – FEEL CONFIDENT with aluminum free deodorant with no parabens, phthalates, triclosan, synthetic fragrance, alcohol, soy or talc
Whether you’re used to using bar deodorant or the spray kind, both produce a lot of waste. This Natural Deodorant stick set comes with a full and a travel size, and comes in 100% compostable packaging. Plus, it’s aluminum-free!
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
- REVOLUTIONARY SUN CREAM :: Moisturizing reef safe sunscreen SPF 50, waterproof for up to 80 minutes whether in the sand, sun, sea or surf. Strong broad spectrum mineral based sun protection from UVA / UVB rays to help protect you from sun burn and DNA damage. PA+++
- CORAL REEF SAFETY :: Reef Repair sun cream is a (non nano) Zinc Oxide based reef safe sunscreen that is 100% Oxybenzone free, Octinoxate free & completely chemical free. Safe for marine and aquatic life including our delicate coral reefs, guaranteed to protect!
- INGREDIENT SAFETY :: Reef Repair sunscreens are 100% Paraben free, Silicone free & Titanium Dioxide free, providing proven sun & skin safety for you and your family. Our A+ grade Zinc Oxide mineral sunblock gives you the strongest UV protection available. Daily application is now fun and easy.
- ULTRA CLEAR :: Non Sticky, non oily water based & biodegradable mineral sunscreen. Applies transparently with almost no rubbing and spreads evenly on your skin. No white cast or ghosting effect like other natural physical sunblocks. Does not leave sticky or greasy feeling on your skin and will not cause excessive sweating.
- OTHER BENEFITS :: Our 100% natural reef safe sunscreen is a revolutionary layer of sun protection and moisturisation for new, sensitive or damaged skin. All natural, organic and reef safe formula with bonus ingredients like red raspberry seed and coconut oil for extra sun care protection.
If you’re planning on doing some snorkeling or diving on your trip, be sure your sunscreen is safe for our reefs and marine life. Regular sunscreen contains chemicals and small particles that are known to damage or bleach coral reefs. Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which do not cause coral bleaching. This sunscreen is reef-safe, all-natural, water-resistant, SPF 50, and biodegradable.
Menstrual Cup
- 100% Happiness Promise. We are so confident that you’ll love our products that we back them all with our Happiness Promise. This means if you aren’t totally satisfied, we will make it right. Either a full refund or a replacement product. We’ve got you.
- Period Freedom. Pixie is a reusable silicone cup that collects your monthly discharge or menstrual flow. Inserted similar to a tampon, Pixie Cup sits in the vaginal canal comfortably with no odor, leaks or risk of TSS. Easy removal and leak-free periods means no period blood stains! Also works as a conception cup!
- Pixie Cup vs Soft Cup. The design of our Pixie stem allows for easy removal and is perfect for a higher cervix. We recommend the Pixie Slim for those with a lower cervix or tilted uterus. All of our cups are on the softer side, which doesn’t block urine flow, this allows your bladder to relieve itself fully.
- Works for Every Woman. You can wear Pixie Feminine Cups for 12 consecutive hours before you clean or reinsert. Whether you're an active teenager who enjoys sports or a busy mom, you can enjoy every part of life while you run, swim, or dance. We have a menstrual cup for you while in motion or in your sleep.
- Buy One, Give One. Every time you purchase a Pixie Cup, a cup is donated to a woman in need. Here at Pixie, our goal is for every woman to have access to period products and you can help us! With help from people like you, we’ve donated 135,000+ Pixie Cups so far!
Something I have been using since my teens that gets rid of so much waste and necessary single-use plastic applicators. Definitely a must have!
Refillable Toiletry Bottles
- [ Travel Bottles Set]Amphism colorful travel bottle set come with 4pcs 3oz silicone cosmetic container. These travel containers suit for pura d'or toiletries ,shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotions,hand sanitizer gel, hand soap and other thicker liquids.
- [100 percent Leak Proof Travel Bottles]Take it with you and go travel! These squeezable travel containers are soft and flexible, each travel bottle comes with 3-layer sealing cap and non-drip valve, offers protection to your luggage and cloths.
- [Refillable & Safety silicone]Our refillable travel tubes are made of food grade silicone ,designed for safety and convenience. Food-safe travel toiletry containers, pliable but durable silicone, usable for salad dressing, ketchup ,mustard etc.
- [Easy to fill and clean]Easy to refill due to the large opening mouth of the travel containers set when unscrewing the cap and easy to squeeze out. You can easily clean these toiletry containers by soaking in warm soapy water .
- [Used Widely]Perfect for business or personal travel, activity, outdoors, and more. Also could be a perfect gift for your girlfriend, wife, and family.
Not ready to make the transition to bar toiletries? The next best thing you can do is invest in some refillable bottles, in lieu of purchasing a bunch of travel-sized items to bring on your trip. These silicone bottles, while not perfect, are much better than their plastic counterparts. Silicone is more durable and less harmful to the environment than plastic. It is better at resisting heat and cold than plastic, and it lasts longer. If burned, silicone turns to harmless silica, carbon dioxide, and water (unlike plastic which releases toxins).
Reusable Razor
- PERFECT SHAVE*: Achieve a closer, smoother, more professional shave without the hassle of irritation or ingrown hair with the Bambaw eco friendly razor.
- DURABLE*: Bambaw men's safety shaving razors are pretty much guaranteed to last a lifetime. Made from high quality materials, a 100% bamboo handle and stainless steel razor and de razor is incredibly strong and durable.
- ECO-FRIENDLY*: Conventional plastic razors are practically impossible to recycle and end up in our landfills and oceans. With Bambaw reusable razors for men all you need to do is replace and recycle the blade, which helps create a cleaner planet.
- COST EFFECTIVE*: Once you have the mens single blade razor, all you need to buy are the blades. You simply can’t get any better value for money in the long run than this metal razor.
- USER MANUAL*: Bambaw mens safety razor includes a digital shaving manual. Tips on how to assemble, get the perfect shave, after shave treatment, increasing the life of safety razors, recycling and 2 homemade shaving cream recipes.
One impactful habit to adopt is doing away with disposable razors! First of all, they really don’t do a good job, particularly with dense or coarse hair. As a woman with thick coarse blood, they never did it for me anyway. These safety razors are for men or women, made of metal and bamboo, are super-durable, and all you have to do is purchase razor refills.
At-Home IPL
- 【Sapphire Advanced Cooling 】The built-in dvanced sapphire technology can fits the skin perfectly. That can effectively reduce the temperature to relieve pain and protect the epidermis.
- 【Permanent Hair Removal】The laser hair removal device emits a light that is absorbed by the melanin in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the hair follicles that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth.
- 【9 Levels & 2 Modes】1-9 Adjustable energy level suitable for most skin and hair.The higher the energy level the better the hair removal effect, please start from low to high. This Hair removal device has 2 modes, just long press the flash button to adjust the mode that suits your hair removal area.Auto mode is suitable for large area hair removal, it saves more time.
- 【3 Functions & LCD Tunch Screen】The laser hair removal Upgraded 3 functions: (HR), (SR) and (AC) . With this professional device, you can achieve the effect of beauty salon at home. Smart LCD screen just need touch the screen to adjust the mode and level you need；that clearly display the remaining times, modes and levels.
- 【Economical Whole Body Treatment At Home】 Compared to the large costs of salon on hair removal, this laser hair removal can get the same result with less costs.And is more safety and gentle for skin.Upgraded 999900 flashes enough for 9-11 individuals' whole body hair removal. It’s life time purchase.
When I tell you this is the best purchase I’ve made in the past five years (at least), I’m not exaggerating. After I started using this at-home IPL, I went from having to shave daily to once every two weeks. And almost as cool as that fact alone, it’s zero-waste. I go through far less razor cartridges using this bad boy.
It’s expensive, but so unbelievably worth it. In addition to its environmental benefits, just imagine having a beach vacation and not having to shave your bikini line every day!
Biodegradable Dental Floss
- ✔️ AFTER THE SUCCESS OF OUR TOOTHBRUSH KIT NOW YOU CAN BUY JUST THE FLOSS. WE SELL IN CRAFT FAIRS AND ARTISAN MARKETS NOW ON AMAZON - Feel guilt free buying this 100% Biodegradable VEGAN Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss with Refillable Glass Container + Free Refill - Natural Candelilla Wax and Peppermint Essential Oil. Floss length is 33yds x2 from a Family Owned Company who really helps the environment.
- ✔️ VEGAN AND CRUELTY-FREE unlike silk floss - Our ECO FLOSS is 100% Biodegradable, made from Bamboo Charcoal Fiber so it breaks down in approximately 60-90 days. Packaging is all recyclable or biodegradable.
- ✔️ AMAZING DEAL 2-PACK OF THE BEST FLOSS (EVER) - Help the environment while using a high quality product. Our ECO FLOSS is extremely easy to use, comfortable and soothing to your gums.
- ✔️ OUR COMMITMENT TO MOTHER EARTH - We donate 10% of our profits to ocean and environmental conservation, so your purchase TAKES ACTION. Our packaging is also 100% recyclable and plastic-free. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, we will make it right or process a refund.
- ✔️ CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PLASTIC-FREE PRODUCTS - Click "add to cart" for our ECO FLOSS and try our PREMIUM Collapsible Straw & Foldable Spork Kit before checkout. We are constantly developing convenient products to avoid plastic in our daily lives. Mother Earth Thanks you.
For biodegradable, natural, organic, eco-friendly, zero waste dental floss, look no further! This charcoal floss comes in a glass jar which you can reuse for pretty much anything, and paper packaging. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free!
Biodegradable Cotton Swabs
- ALL-NATURAL TRUSTED BRAND : Every Q Tip is 100% Organic and every cotton bud is uniquely made with ultra-soft, hand-spun All-Natural cotton. We take the environmental friendliness of our Bamboogaloo toothbrushes very seriously so each of them are made from vegan materials sourced from nature!
- ORGANIC BAMBOO : Every Cotton swab is made from natural fast growing and sustainable Bamboo. We guarantee premium, quality, smooth and splitter-free because each of our bamboo sticks is heat treated, which assists with water resistance.
- 100% BIODEGRADABLE: Our Bamboogaloo cotton swabs are 100% Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly. Every product is guaranteed to be Hygienic, Safe and made of Natural materials. It comes in 100% Plant Cellulose wrapping. There is zero plastic in any of this wrapping.
- TRIED & TESTED, THEN APPROVED : Our cotton buds are 100% Natural - all of the packaging and Cotton swabs are BPA-Free & Plastic-Free. Every part of this product and its packaging is also absolutely Compostable & Sustainably Sourced.
- KEEP DANCING GUARANTEE : We stand behind every All-Natural & Organic Bamboogaloo product! Our service has been tried & tested for years, and we always make sure each customer is happy with your Bamboogaloo product. We are sure our Guarantee will Keep You Dancing!
These zero waste, biodegradable, organic, vegan cotton swabs are perfect for travel or home. The pack comes with 1,000 and uses sustainably sourced materials.
Reusable Makeup Wipes
- 2 in 1: Erase & Exfoliate - Use the short fiber side to erase makeup in gentle circular motions then flip to the long fiber side (side with tag) to exfoliate the skin. Continue in gentle circular motions for flawless skin
- Bye Bye Makeup Wipes Forever! The Original MakeUp Eraser is a premium, patented, polyester cloth made up of millions of tiny hair-like fibers that work together to create a "suction" for all dirt, makeup, & oil in your pores
- Our Mission: MakeUp Eraser is dedicated to creating the most sustainable makeup removal product in the world by using only the most accessible resource available: WATER. We truly believe we can eliminate the 3rd most wasteful product in the world: WIPES
- Game-changing Benefits: 1 MakeUp Eraser is equal to 3600 makeup wipes! No added chemicals. Free of alcohol, oils, astringents, parabens, fragrances, & sulfates. Reusable, machine washable, & lasts 3-5 years. Great for sensitive skin & dermatologist approved
- Wipes Create Waste, We Don’t: Together, let's stop creating unnecessary waste & save Mother Earth one less makeup wipe at a time
My mom got this for me for Christmas a few years ago, and initially, I wasn’t too impressed. After using it, however, it’s a must-have when traveling (or staying home, for that matter). All you do is wet the cloth (no soap needed!) and it removes any waterproof eye makeup, foundation, red lipstick, or other makeup that can be difficult to remove. And of course, zero waste! It’s also hypoallergenic, vegan, and cruelty-free. Win!
Deet-Free Bugspray
- EFFECTIVELY REPELS - NO NATZ is proven to work very well against gnats, no-see-ums, sand gnats, mosquitos, and biting flies. Developed in 2002 on the Wilmington River and marshes of Savannah, Georgia; also tested on Turkey Creek in Dublin, Georgia where the mosquitos are as big as small birds; NONATZ knows gnats!
- Hand-Crafted Safe Formula - NO NATZ is a hand-crafted formula made with the finest essential oils including: rosemary oil, lemongrass oil, geranium oil, citronella oil, olive oil and coconut oil. Not only is NO NATZ DEET-Free, it is hypoallergenic and safe on synthetics. With our non-greasy formula and pleasant fragrance, you won’t even know you’re wearing it.
- Best Seller - NO NATZ has become the best-selling personal bug spray available across the United States. Why? Because it really works, and it smells good. Just shake, spray and start enjoying the outdoors again.
- Perfectly Portable - Don’t you hate not having bug spray when you need it? With NO NATZ that problem is solved. We offer this very effective formula in a variety of sizes with the smallest being a 2oz pump spray bottle that will fit nicely into your pocket, purse or backpack. Annoying gnats are now a thing of the past.
- About The NONATZ Company – The NONATZ Company is not a big corporation with hundreds of employees, it’s a small family operation with unique ideas. We are a Veteran owned business and can proudly say our products are made in America. We stand behind all our products. If for any reason you are not satisfied, please immediately contact us and we will things right
This natural insect repellant works for up to six hours against mosquitos and up to four hours against ticks (including deer ticks). It’s made of natural ingredients such as lemon and eucalyptus oil, is free from parabens and phthalates, and smells surprisingly good.
Clothes, Laundry, & Stuff To Wear
Eco-Friendly Detergent
- ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING POWER: Concentrated powdered laundry soap works on all your laundry, from high-tech fabrics to delicates, washing away smells, stains, and left-behind residue from previous detergents.
- HYPOALLERGENIC: Washing soda and powerful, natural ingredients work together to deep clean, rinse from fabrics completely, and leave nothing on your clothes. The fragrance-free formula is ideal for those with sensitive skin and will not cover stains or odors with artificial brighteners or perfumes. Our powder laundry detergent is safe for hand washing.
- CLOTH DIAPER FRIENDLY: This detergent is safe to use on baby fabrics, effectively deep cleaning cloth diapers and other baby clothes between wears perfect along with your other baby essentials .
- LESS IS MORE: Each bag contains just four ingredients and one tablespoon per dose. No suds, just a deep clean that leaves fabric fresh and soft and your washing machine cleaner by removing old laundry detergents left deep in your machine.
- EPA SAFER CHOICE CERTIFIED: Charlie’s Soap laundry soap and our other sustainable products are certified safer for the environment and is septic safe. The eco-friendly formula helps remove fats, oils, greases, and odors from sewer lines, saving your town money and water making it the perfect laundry solution.
If you’re planning on doing laundry during your travels, this is one of the best eco-friendly travel products to bring. These zero-plastic detergent sheets are perfect for taking with you on the road since there’s no liquid involved! No plastic to worry about, either! Instead, these sheets are a natural, septic-safe, biodegradable, vegan way to clean clothes while traveling. One sheet is good for two loads of laundry, and the pack comes with 16 sheets. It’s hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin, as well!
Eco-Friendly Sandals
- Yoga Mat footbed with arch support
- Rubber sole
- Made in USA
- Platform measures approximately 0.25 inches
- Heel measures approximately 0.5"
Ever since I found these sandals sometime back in 2016, they’re all I wear during the summer. I do wear different styles of Sanuks, such as the Yoga Sling, but the brand, in general, is by far the most comfortable I’ve ever tried. I have wide feet, so finding comfortable shoes is always an issue. The sole is made of rubber, they are vegan and cruelty-free.
Washing Bag
- FAST & CONVENIENT: The patented washboard-in-a-bag design gives a machine quality wash in just minutes and you can wash anywhere – perfect for hotels, hostels, camping, backpacking, dorm rooms, RVs and scout trips.
- SO SMALL AND LIGHT: Weighing just 5.3 oz. and folding to pocket-size, this world’s smallest washing machine takes up no space and lets you travel clean, light and free.
- EASY TO USE: Space, water and time-saving, and electricity free. With the simple six-step instructions displayed on the outside of the bag, anyone can wash clothes quickly, hygienically, and effectively and reduce their impact on the environment
- VERSATILE & MULTIFUNCTIONAL: Ideal for small to medium loads including T-shirts, underwear, socks, bras, delicates, dishcloths and more. Between washes use it as a dry bag to keep gear dry or as a dirty laundry bag.
- JOIN 300,000+ SCRUBBA WASH BAG USERS WORLDWIDE: Grab yours and travel cleaner, lighter and with more freedom. Plus have the peace of mind that it’s backed by our 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. If something goes wrong, we will make it right.
Taking this ultra-portable machine on the road is a breeze. Scrubba Washing Bag allows you to travel lighter, saves time, money, and water. It’s a convenient pocket-sized travel companion. In many ways, it is more hygienic than hand washing and twice as effective.
Travelers, backpackers, hikers, backpackers and holiday-makers all over the world have experienced first-hand the quality wash provided by the Scrubba internal washboard.
Eco-Friendly Travel Towel
- ECO FRIENDLY: 100% Organic cotton and Oeko-Tex certified so you can be sure this peshtemal towel is good for both yourself and the environment. Made by local artisans in Turkey. LARGE size at 37 x 69 Inches.
- ALL IN ONE TOWEL: For use as your beach, bathroom, hammam, pool, gym, spa, travelling or camping towel. You can even wear it as a blanket, shawl, sarong, scarf or pareo. Lightweight, folds small + SAND DOESN'T STICK!
- QUICK DRY & ABSORBENT: High quality luxury hammam towel made with a quick drying and highly absorbent weave. Soft & comforting fabric made into eye catching designs.
- SUPPORT MARINE CONSERVATION - 10% of profits will be donated to marine conservation via Sea Shepherd.
- RISK FREE PURCHASE: If for some reason you don’t love our towels then let us know within 30 days of receiving your item and we will give you your money back - no questions asked.
This Turkish multi-use towel is a great thing for travel. Despite its large size, it folds up to be quite compact. It is eco-friendly and made from natural materials, vegan and cruelty-free. It’s made of 100% organic cotton and is Oeko-Tex certified. Its quick-dry and absorbent qualities make it perfect for use while traveling. And, to top it all off, a percentage of sales is donated to Surfers Against Sewage and Sea Shepherd nonprofits.
Luggage, Backpacks, & Packing Accessories
Cruelty-Free Hiking Backpack
- Large, lockable U-zip duffel-style access to main compartment - 40L total volume
- Meets carry-on size restrictions for most airlines (Size X-Small/Small: 19.3H X 13.8W X 8D inches)
- Lockable zipper access to padded laptop & tablet sleeve (fits up to most 15" laptops)
- Stowaway backpanel, shoulder straps and hipbelt with zippered rear flap for protection
- Two front mesh waterbottle pocket
The 40L Osprey Fairview is the perfect eco-friendly option for a hiking trip. Osprey is widely renowned for their quality backpacks, and the Fairview is no different. Padded, adjustable shoulder straps and a hip belt make this one of the most comfortable options out there, as well – plus its ventilated padded back panel to keep you cool. For smaller trips, there is a detachable day pack, too! Made of entirely cruelty-free materials. Check out my post on the best travel backpacks for more ideas!
Eco-Friendly Luggage
- Has a Weight of 3.92 kg and a Capacity of 72.9 liters
- Zipper Closure, 1 main compartment, 2 front zipper pockets and interior pockets
- Multi-directional 4-wheel Saguaro system, Ergonomic handle with release button
- Medium Black Recycled plastic bottles Luggage Bag
- Product Dimensions: 29in (H) x 19in (L) x 11in (W)
One of the best eco-friendly travel products you could invest in is eco-friendly luggage, of course! With its reputation for sustainable products and durability coupled with the fact that this line is made entirely out of recycled water bottles, you can’t go wrong with the Samsonite Eco Lite Spinner. Part of eco-friendly luggage is luggage that withstands extensive travel without needing to continually replace your suitcase! Samsonite is one of the top luggage brands for a reason, with global lifetime warranty and authorized Samsonite repair centers.
