The Leading Hotels of the World offers unique yoga experiences around the globe to help harried travellers achieve serenity. Whether you want to stretch your desk-bound body, meditate in a beautiful location or are already a bendy pretzel, LHW has a yoga holiday for you. They may be in luxury surroundings, but as long as we’re not attached to the material things, it’s still yoga, right?!
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India
Where better to engage in the practice of yoga than in India? At Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, there is a dedicated yoga pavilion where guests can immerse themselves in a variety of exercises and meditations. Jiva Spa continues a time-honored tradition by abiding by the rules and practices of the Bihar School of Yoga (integrating physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions equally).
Jiva Spa caters to guests at all levels of aptitude, with a comprehensive range of practices including: classic postures (asanas); abhilaya, to diminish the effect of jet lag; yogic breathing exercises (pranayama); Sun Salutations (a flowing sequence of postures to energise the body); shatkarma or purification rituals; as well as meditation, inner silence and psychic sleep sessions.
The Nam Hai, Vietnam
Along a seemingly infinite stretch of sand, amid Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage, a strand of sophisticated, visually striking villas lines the dramatic beachfront. The Nam Hai’s architecture and interior design, inspired by 2,500 years of history, presents a dramatic play on wind and water utilising feng shui philosophy and the grandeur of the Tu Doc royal tombs of Hue.
In this beautiful setting, guests can make mornings count even on vacation with complimentary outdoor yoga overlooking the South China Sea. Or stretch into lotus anytime with private in-villa sessions led by yoga instructor Giri Raj Timshina.
Guided meditation is offered from 7am to 8am. This is followed by a Hatha flow yoga session, combining yoga poses with breathing exercises, from 8am to 9am. All classes are in the resort’s open lounge, a spacious pavilion above the main swimming pools.
Shanti Maurice, Mauritius
Yoga practiced at Shanti Maurice: a Nira Resort on the island of Mauritius is completely traditional, with adaptations to suit individual needs. Experienced yoga masters create personalised programs designed to assist guests through their personal journeys. Components can include an hour-long Hatha yoga session, to help regulate breathing by exercises consisting of postures and stretches intended to sustain healthy bodily functions and induce emotional calm. A more intensive version, Iyengar Yoga, is based on the principles of Hatha yoga, using high energy, dynamic movements and props to achieve total body alignment, core strength and improved mental capacity.
Guests can dial it down a notch with Tartak, a half-hour session based on an ancient form of meditation involving concentrated focus on the flame of a candle, to promote energy, clarity and intuitive capabilities. Or they can go all-out with a two-hour Shankaprakshalana procedure guided by an Ayurvedic doctor and yoga master which involves drinking saline water followed a session of yoga postures to cleanse the digestive system and balance the endocrine and respiratory systems.
Constance Le Prince Maurice, Mauritius
Also in Mauritius is Constance Le Prince Maurice where, to celebrate the sumptuous refurbishment of the Spa de Constance, the resort has engaged world-renowned fitness guru Isabelle Lamant. Inspired by her love of graceful movement, Isabelle’s classes are based around her philosophy of balance integrated into fitness, dance and yoga. Isabelle has a background in gymnastics and classical dance, which she has since combined with intensive yoga and Pilates training. Based around ‘control and fitness’ and ‘sculpt and balance’, Isabelle’s aim is to help her clients exercise their way to a more healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Each session also shows guests they can integrate practical exercises into their daily life when they return home. Cultivating the next generation of healthy travellers, Isabelle has also designed a fun-filled program for younger guests called Yoganimals to help children improve motor skills, concentration, posture and breathing through simple, fun exercises.
Grand Hotel Heiligendamm, Germany
At Grand Hotel Heiligendamm on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, guests experience authentic yoga from the Himalayas with yoga master Sanjay Vya from Rishikesh, the birthplace of Himalayan yoga. He is qualified in yoga meditation, Ayurvedic treatments and Thai massage.
The hotel has created a five-night package, Yoga with Sanjay, which includes daily breakfast buffet, a 330-minute wellness package comprising two hours’ private training with Sanjay (available Wednesday to Sunday), a 60-minute Thai massage, a 90-minute Ayurvedic full-body massage and a 60-minute Ananda facial. You have access to the 3,000-square-metre spa with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym and saunas, plus participation in the hotel’s cultural programs. Rates for the five-night stay start at €800 per person sharing in a double room, and €1,150 for single occupancy.
Special offer for high50 readers
When you book any stay through The Leading Hotels of the World (not only the yoga holidays), you will receive a one-year complimentary Leaders Club Access Membership ($150 value).
To qualify, your stay must be booked through Leading Hotels on 1-800-223-6800.
You must also mention at the time of booking that you are a high50 reader.
LHW Leaders Club offers its members complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, room upgrades when available, the ability to earn complimentary nights and other valuable benefits at all Leading Hotels. The group is the largest luxury hotel collection, with more than 430 distinct properties in 80 countries.
If you are already a Leaders Club Member at the time of booking, you do not receive a further membership.
The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd is the largest luxury hospitality organization in the world, representing more than 430 of the finest hotels, resorts and spas in more than 80 countries. Its mission is to curate and champion an exclusive collection of independent properties, including grand palaces and intimate city hideaways, luxury tent enclaves and expansive self-contained resorts. It was established in 1928 by several influential and forward-thinking European hoteliers, and started with 38 initial members. Its loyal customers demand levels of quality they have come to expect of the brand, while seeking authentic and enriching travel experiences. Leading Hotel members are utterly unique and boldly independent. To be considered for inclusion, a hotel must adhere to strict quality standards and master the art of extraordinary hospitality.