Millions of yogis serve as evangelists of this ancient Indian spiritual discipline. And there must be something special in it, because a spark that shines in the eye of a yogi when they talk about their favorite activity makes you wanna feel that emotion, too.
They know that you don’t need much to reach this peace and harmony. All you need is your body and mind… And a good mat. But if you want to feel the real peace of body and mind, pack a few belongings, take a mat and visit some beautiful destination. We decided to do some research for you, so you can try out some of these spots.
New England
If you didn’t experience the coziness of Martha’s Vineyard, don’t think for too long. We recommend visiting this beautiful New England island during the summer when the population rises from 15,000 to 150,000 people. But still, despite all this crowd, you can find your peace on some of the charming beaches.
We recommend waking up early in the morning and taking a 20-minute bike ride on the Katama Rd from Edgartown to the South Beach. This beautiful sandy beach on the south side of the island is exposed to the wide ocean. The feeling of the ocean wind in your hair, sound of the powerful waves crashing into the shore, and the scenery of the rising sun is an experience everyone should feel once in a lifetime. The nature took care of everything. You just spread your mat and dive in tranquility.
Pacific Ocean
If you want a truly unique experience, you can’t go wrong with visiting New Caledonia. This Pacific jewel 750 miles east of Australia offers you everything you need. You will most probably land and spend some time in the capital city of Nouméa. But you can visit any of the charming islands in the archipelago. You can decide whether you will start your day with pranayama on the white sand of Ouvéa, or under the cliffs of Lifou. Either way, this is a recipe for starting a truly fulfilled day.
Yogis have practiced yoga for thousands of years, reaching the peace and harmony of mind. In the paradise called Isle of Pines this exalted state of mind ties with the surroundings. You may climb the islands N’ga Peak (262 m) and enjoy the beautiful view, or climb down to Oto, Kuto, or Kanumera Bay, to spread your mat near the crystal-clear ocean and become one with the nature.
Mediterranean
Crete is Europe’s most beautiful gem. This southernmost part of Europe is tucked in the waters of the alluring Mediterranean. It was the center of the first known civilization in Europe, the Minoan civilization (c. 2700–1420 BC). But, it is not only famous for its ancient history, or remarkable cuisine, but also for the beautiful nature.
If you want to feel the Mediterranean, the best way is to rent a bike or a motorcycle, and Crete is no exception. You can just tuck your mat, attach it to your vehicle, and explore the island. We would recommend asana after a long swim on the Vai beach. This gem on the eastern coast is home to the European’s largest palm tree forest. You can find your peace in this scenery and feel like you are in the middle of Caribbean.
South Asia
And in the end, what is the best place to feel the essence of this beautiful practice, than the land of its origin: India. You can visit the slopes of the monumental Himalayas or the shore of the Indian Ocean. But we recommend visiting Delhi, a historical and cultural center of India.
You can find everything you want in this remarkable city. While roaming the streets of this city, don’t hesitate to visit local restaurants, museums, or famous landmarks of the city, like Tughlaqabad Fort, National Gallery of Modern Art, or the Garden of five senses. But this city is a landmark for every yoga-enthusiast. Visit some of many ashrams to practice yoga. You can take yoga workshops or classes, or dive in mindfulness on your own in some of many silent meditation halls.
Yoga is a way to find inner-peace and spreading a mat in your room can be enough to achieve it. But practicing yoga in some beautiful natural scenery raises this experience on a much higher level. So, don’t hesitate. Take your mat and book the flight to a beautiful destination.
Guest Blogger
Marie Nieves can be reached at marie.s.nieves@gmail.com
