These world-class retreats can help you strengthen and maintain your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Everyone deserves some time to unwind and escape their busy lifestyles. After all, studies show that proper rest is the key to boosting brain function and mood. Luckily, there are plenty of wellness retreats that offer comprehensive programs to rejuvenate and improve overall health.
Of course, when choosing a wellness retreat, you’ll want the best that can be offered. Quality retreats incorporate a holistic approach that nurtures the mind and spirit just as much as the body, and are formulated by experts in their fields.
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If you’re looking for programs that cover all these criteria and more, below are five of the world’s finest wellness retreats:
Chopra Health Retreat
Founded and led by esteemed alternative medicine expert Deepak Chopra, the Chopra Health Retreat is a 6-day program held twice a month in Carefree, Arizona. The retreat’s activities are inspired by Chopra’s best-selling book, Perfect Health, and aim to nourish the body, mind, and spirit through the ancient Indian practice of Ayurveda.
Retreat attendees can expect yoga classes, hiking, sound healing, and hydro-therapy within the CIVANA Wellness Resort and Spa—the retreat’s serene oasis nestled in the Sonoran Desert. Such activities are paired with Ayurvedic spa treatments like dry-glove exfoliation to stimulate the lymphatic system, warm herbal oil massages to dislodge toxins, and marma point therapy to energize and calm the mind.
The retreat also incorporates one-on-one health consultations with Ayurveda-trained physicians, expert-led wellness workshops, daily meditation, and locally-sourced vegan meals developed by certified nutritionists.
Retreats With Eckhart Tolle
German-born spiritual teacher and self-help author Eckhart Tolle offers a variety of retreats and workshops to inspire people and help them find inner peace. His teachings are simple yet profound, and their effectiveness has garnered him international recognition as one of the most visionary teachers in the world.
Among his many upcoming events is the “Awakening Wisdom and Inner Peace” retreat, which will be held from September 19 to 24, 2023 in the picturesque surroundings of Oslo, Norway. Some highlights of the program include daily talks with Tolle, group meditation sessions, and a meditative concert. Joining Tolle in this particular retreat is Kim Eng, a spiritual teacher and creator of the Presence Through Movement practice, which awakens consciousness through movement. She will also be hosting talks and sessions during the retreat to help attendees deepen their sense of awareness and untap their creativity.
COMO Shambhala Retreat
At the very top of Condé Nast Traveler’s list of top wellness retreats is the COMO Shambhala Retreat in Parrot Cay—a private island situated within the Caribbean. Much like the other retreats in this list, it adopts a holistic approach to nurturing wellness.
Integrating modern science with ancient healing practices, the idyllic retreat offers a wide range of treatments like Ayurveda and reflexology. Guests can also enjoy activities like fishing, diving, windsurfing, and island hopping. The retreat also comes with complimentary yoga and pilates classes from reputable yogis like the Curry Sisters.
To top it all off, the retreat provides an assortment of luxurious facilities for guests, including sauna rooms, jacuzzis, private yoga studios, gyms, and an infinity pool, to name a few. Then there’s COMO Shambhala’s signature cuisine, which is designed to provide optimal nutrition.
Fivelements Retreat
Situated along the banks of the Ayung River in Bali is the Fivelements Retreat—a sustainable sanctuary for healing and relaxation. The tranquil retreat offers treatments that are deeply rooted in authentic Balinese Healing practices passed down for generations, and offers plant-based meals within its vibrant natural surroundings.
Panca Mahabhuta—Fivelements’ most popular program—aims to help attendees restore their health and reconnect with themselves through traditional healing methods, purification rituals, spa treatments, yoga, and meditation.
RAKxa Wellness and Medical Retreat
Finally, there’s the RAKxa Wellness and Medical Retreat in Thailand. The serene getaway is nestled along the Chao Phraya River, known as the “Green Lung” of Bangkok due to its lush greenery. Guests are given the freedom to customize their program based on their personal needs.
The retreat works with certified health professionals from the Vitalife Scientific Wellness Clinic managed by Bumrungrad International Hospital to provide treatments that seamlessly blend technology and traditional healing practices.
RAKxa offers a wide range of treatment packages to boost immunity, detoxify, de-stress the mind and body, heal long COVID symptoms, and enhance one’s natural beauty through advanced aesthetics. Guests can also enjoy nourishing food that uses fresh ingredients from RAKxa’s organic farm and rare teas selected by skilled tea sommeliers.
Banner Photo via Instagram @fivelementsretreats.
