Treat yourself to a getaway at one of these luxurious Canadian yoga retreats to soothe mind, body, and soul! Whether or not you’re an avid yogi, there’s something for everyone at one of these fantastic retreats. Breathe deeply and inhale fresh mountain air, and exhale away all of your cares. (Then fill back up with some delicious, freshly prepared meals and local award-winning Canadian wine!)
Grail Springs Retreat
Bancroft, Ontario
Named “Traveler’s Choice” by Trip Advisor in 2016, a visit to Grail Springs Resort is truly like finding the Holy Grail. The quaint town of Bancroft, ON is referred to as the Mineral Capital of Canada because of its rich deposits of magnetite, marble, granite, sodalite and quartz crystal. It is also home to one of the world’s only naturally occurring mineral springs, Chalice Lake. This pristine pool bubbles with hundreds of fresh springs rising up from the magnetic bedrock. Immerse yourself in its rich, vital waters that are used throughout the resort for cooking, drinking, bathing, and therapy services. Intrigued? Be sure to check out the mineral and gem museum to learn more about the fascinating geology of the region.
Attend daily yoga and meditation sessions, relax in the spas and saunas, take a dip in the outdoor mineral hot tubs, get active with horseback riding, canoeing and hiking, and nourish your body with healthy vegetarian meals, teas, elixirs, and snacks.
Yasodhara Ashram
Kootenay Bay, British Columbia
Founded by Swami Sivananda Radha in 1963 and named after Buddha’s wife, the Yasodhara Ashram is found nestled in the mountains of southeastern British Columbia. Surrounded by gardens and forests, with the mountains as a backdrop and the glittering lake in front, it’s the perfect hideaway for the serious yogi or artist who needs a proper spiritual experience. The courses offered at the ashram are designed for self-discovery though daily reflection on the beauty of everyday life – which is easy to imagine when surrounded by such breathtaking Canadian scenery.
Although the ashram takes very good care of its guests, it is not a spa or a resort. Yasodhara is primarily a sacred self-development and study center, where the community of live-in gurus and mentors guide visitors along their unique paths. The society of yogis follows the traditions of ahimsa (non-harming, especially to the environment) and brahmacharia (celibacy), and lead groups to discover Karma yoga – the yoga of selfless service. A typical day includes early morning yoga, afternoon workshops, and plenty of time to reflect between meals of nourishing, locally-harvested fare.
Learn about Canada's urban ledgends: Lake Monsters and Bigfoot
More from the BC wilderness: BC Wildlife: Close Encounters of the Furred Kind
Canada's best kept secret?: The Napa of the North - Discover BC Wine Country
Vino and Vinyasa with Laura Martini
Okanagan Valley, BC
Looking for the perfect balance of detox and re-tox? Join Laura Martini, a born and raised Okanagan gal who’s hosted over 40 retreats, as she shares her passion for wine and yoga. The weekend-long retreats are held at the Summerland Waterfront Resort in a charming community located 45 minutes south from the larger metropolis of Kelowna.
Your day begins with a delicious, locally prepared, room service breakfast, followed by a yoga class with Laura right in the vineyard! Next, enjoy a wine tour hosted by the Okanagan’s most elite tour company to sip and explore a sampling of the region’s finest wineries. This blissful day ends back to the hotel where you are free to imbibe more of the Okanagan lifestyle: treat yourself to a spa service, relax in the hot tub, hit the beach for some stand up paddle boarding, or sit down for another amazing farm-to-table meal on the patio at Local. The next day its time to gear down and enjoy a yin-style class on the dock overlooking the lake before wistfully saying good-bye to your new friends.
Shanti Yoga Retreat
Wolfe Island near Kingston, Ontario
Take a ferry across the St. Lawrence River to an 11-acre island sanctuary of wide open country skies, secluded beaches, and serene cycling and walking paths. Wolfe Island is a nature lover’s paradise, and the sunset views over the St Lawrence River will linger in your memory long after the last ohm.
Spend the weekend or escape mid-week for one of Wendy and Darin’s unforgettable retreats. Yoga nidra, guided meditation and an infra red sauna session are included, although you are encouraged to attend at your leisure - there are also canoes, a meditation garden, a water trampoline and countless walking trails waiting to be explored. All meals are caringly created vegetarian buffets that nourish your body and soul.
Paradise Found
Salt Spring Island, BC
The beautiful landscape of Salt Spring Island is certainly an oasis worthy of the name “paradise”. The center only offers small group retreats, so that guests get the full benefits of personalised pampering.
Paradise Found focuses on Kundalini yoga, a style that uses breath and movement to unlock hidden reservoirs of energy within. Choose from a range of retreats that includes gardening and yoga programs through to five day itineraries conducted in total silence, a powerful exercise that grants you a heightened level of awareness.
Yoga and meditation sessions are complemented by a range of excursions including truffle making, artist studio tours, Reiki and collage and craft making.
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp
Laurentian Mountains, Quebec
This non-profit center for Hatha yoga also offers the traditions of Ayurveda, the sister science and lifestyle wisdom of yoga. Indulge in the ancient tradition of abhyanga, a full-body oil massage, or treat yourself to an Ayurvedic facial - you’ll come away feeling beautifully nourished and smelling sublime.
Yogis of all ages are catered for in specially designed camps, and one week every summer is a dedicated Family Week. Kid’s activities and yoga sessions combine with adult practices to ensure an experience of total wellbeing for the whole family.
Yoga is not the only class you can take at Sivananda Ashram; learn the fundamentals of Thai massage, take an Indian cooking workshop or sign up for a juice detox!
