Discover your Yoga style and your favourite yoga retreat

Yoga style: Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is a traditional style of yoga that focuses on physical postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama) to bring balance to the body and mind. It serves as the foundation for many other yoga styles, emphasizing slow and deliberate movements to build strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. Hatha yoga sessions typically include a combination of poses, breathing exercises, and meditation, making it suitable for beginners and practitioners of all levels. The practice promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being by aligning the body's energy channels and fostering a deep connection between the physical and mental aspects of the self.

Yoga Retreats with Hatha Yoga classes

Palasiet Thalasso Hotel, Spain

This Thalasso spa hotel, managed by a family for decades, is housed in a charming 19th-century villa by the beach, just an hour's drive from bustling Valencia. The Mediterranean climate, nearby mountains, and fresh pine scent make it a favorite spot. The spa's programs leverage the benefits of the sea, offering thalassotherapy under medical supervision, weight loss plans, and stress management. Weekly Hatha yoga classes are held on Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, complemented by cooking workshops, guided walks, fitness sessions, and more. Private yoga sessions are available for an additional fee.

Absolute Sanctuary, Thailand

For a genuine yoga experience, you can rely on the experts at Absolute Sanctuary. What began as a yoga studio in Bangkok and Singapore has grown into an international network of yoga schools and this beautiful hotel. You can participate in a wide range of daily group yoga classes: Hatha Yoga for beginners, Hot Yoga, Flow, Detox Yoga, Yoga Pilates, De-stress Yoga, Hatha Yoga Stretch, Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga. Group classes are free to join, and private sessions can also be booked for an additional fee. If you wish to know what is best for you or which yoga style suits you, you can have a consultation with the lead yoga teacher.

Yoga style: Yin Yoga

Yin yoga is a slow-paced, meditative style of yoga focused on holding passive poses for extended periods, typically two to five minutes or more. This practice targets the deeper connective tissues like ligaments, tendons, and fascia, rather than muscles. By maintaining poses longer, Yin yoga increases flexibility, deep stretches, and improves circulation. It is particularly beneficial for people with a stiff body or joint pain. It emphasizes mindfulness and meditation, promoting mental stillness and awareness. Yin yoga is ideal for those looking to improve flexibility, reduce stress, and achieve a deeper connection between body and mind.

Yoga Retreats with Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga in MasQi / Spain

Hotel Masqi is a luxurious, adults-only boutique retreat located in the scenic Mariola mountain range, between Alicante and Valencia. It's the perfect place for yoga, energy therapy, Ayurveda and mental balance, including vegan and vegetarian food. The retreat features a stunning yoga dome in the garden, where you can participate in daily group yoga classes. These include Hatha and Vinyasa from Monday to Friday, Yin Yoga on Tuesday, Vinyasa on Saturday, and Iyengar on Sunday. This variety allows you to explore different yoga styles and find what suits you best. Private sessions are also available for an additional fee.

Yoga style: Iyengar

Iyengar yoga is a form of Hatha yoga that emphasizes precision, alignment, and detailed attention to the body’s structure in each pose. Developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, this style of yoga uses props such as belts, blocks, and wall ropes to help practitioners achieve the correct alignment and to make the poses accessible to people of all abilities and levels. Iyengar yoga is known for its systematic approach, sequencing of postures, and holding poses for longer durations, which helps to build strength, flexibility, and stability. The practice also focuses on the mind-body connection, promoting concentration and mindfulness.

Yoga Retreats with Iyengar Yoga

PureandCure Retraites, Netherlands

PureandCure  offers a variety of retreats across the Netherlands, perfect for a weekend getaway. These retreats include elements of yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and nature walks. They are held in beautiful locations, such as forests or by the sea, and in four star hotels with excellent spa and wellness facilities. Our retreats are led by a friendly and professional team of yoga instructors, each with their own specialty, including Iyengar and critical alignment using props, but also Yin yoga and Hatha yoga. Props like blocks and straps are provided to support the poses. These weekends are ideal for everyone, whether you are a seasoned yogi or a beginner. Meet our team of yoga instructors, each with their unique yoga style and the retreats they lead.

Yoga style: Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic and flowing style of yoga that synchronizes breath with movement. Each pose transitions smoothly into the next, creating a continuous sequence often referred to as a "flow." This practice will give you strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. Vinyasa yoga emphasizes the importance of breath control and fluid movement, making it both a physical and meditative exercise. Classes can vary in pace and intensity, catering to all levels of practitioners. It's known for its variety and creativity, with no two classes being exactly alike. 

Yoga Retreats with Vinyasa Yoga

Sen Wellness Sanctuary, Sri Lanka

SEN Wellness Retreat offers a holistic approach, integrating ancient wisdom and modern practices to create a comprehensive wellbeing experience. Discover a harmonious blend of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda treatments, and nutritious cuisine. Yoga classes are offered twice a day, with the style depending on the resident teacher at the Sanctuary. Mornings usually feature a more energetic class, typically Hatha or Vinyasa, while afternoons offer a quieter, introspective class incorporating Yin and restorative elements. Additionally, a visiting Buddhist monk teaches a Kundalini Yoga class once a week.

Underneath The Mango Tree, Sri Lanka

Once we stepped into this retreat, our hearts were immediately captivated. Located in the southeastern region of Sri Lanka, Underneath The Mango Tree retreat is perched atop a hill, offering mesmerizing views of the Indian Ocean. Its name pays homage to the lush palm and mango trees, a perfect setting to unwind in a hammock and listen to the ocean waves. This retreat is open to any guest, whether you are on an ayurveda program or not. The ayurveda team is led by two experienced Ayurvedic doctors, so you will be in good hands for short or longer ayurveda programs. Group yoga classes are once a day, mainly Vinyasa Yoga and Yin yoga. Private sessions can be booked against a fee. 

Yoga style: Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a vigorous and structured style of yoga that involves synchronizing breath with a progressive series of postures. Originating from the teachings of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga yoga consists of six series of increasing difficulty, starting with the Primary Series, which focuses on detoxifying and aligning the body. Each series follows a specific sequence of poses, linked by vinyasas (flowing movements). The practice builds strength, flexibility, and stamina, and is often performed in a continuous, flowing manner. Ashtanga emphasizes discipline and consistency, making it a dynamic and challenging practice suitable for dedicated practitioners seeking a comprehensive physical and mental workout.

Yoga Retreats with Ashtanga Yoga

Mangosteen Ayurveda retreat, Thailand

This intimate adults-only boutique hotel in Phuket is nestled in a lush tropical garden overlooking the sea. Daily yoga classes are offered in the pavilion, featuring Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Stretch, Vinyasa Flow, and Yoga Therapy. You can join workshops on meditation, breathwork, and sound healing. Experience authentic Ayurvedic treatments led by an Ayurvedic doctor from India, who tailors personalized treatment plans and menus. Whether you're seeking a gentle relaxation retreat, an detoxifying Ayurvedic experience, or simply a few days to unwind, this destination is a serene escape in a beautiful setting.

Yoga style: Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is a spiritual and physical practice that combines dynamic movement, breathwork (pranayama), meditation, and chanting of mantras to awaken the dormant energy at the base of the spine, known as Kundalini. This style of yoga emphasizes the flow of energy through the chakras (energy centers in the body) and aims to achieve a higher state of consciousness and self-awareness. Kundalini yoga sessions typically involve kriyas (specific sets of exercises), mudras (hand positions), and deep relaxation to promote spiritual growth, mental clarity, and physical vitality. It is known for its holistic approach, addressing the body, mind, and spirit simultaneously.

Yoga Retreats with Kundalini Yoga

Normafa Retreat, Hungary

A beautifully renovated holistic retreat nestled in nature, located on the edge of a national park and near the lively city of Budapest. This small scale retreat offers a spa and various holistic activities that focus on personal growth and inner balance. The retreat combines the tranquility of nature with a range of activities where Kundalini yoga plays a major role. Enjoy Kundalini yoga classes with mantra chanting twice a day, along with options for Ashtanga, hot yoga, meditation, and sound baths. You are free to participate in whichever classes you like. Kundalini yoga is especially effective for relieving stress and tension.

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About Marleen

This blog is written by Marleen, the founder of PureandCure.com in 2005. She travels around the world in search of the best Health & Wellbeing Hotels, Spas and Retreats and shares her know-how, experiences and observations through her blogs.