After I started dating, Goa turned into a girlfriend getaway. I shifted my loyalties to the serene beaches of south Goa where evenings were spent watching sunsets and sipping chardonnays. Post-wedding, a Goa holiday was about cocktails at the pool bar and getting immersed in a good book on the sun loungers.
We all love Goa and it’s an integral part our lives. But for some reason in the past couple of years, I haven’t been intrigued by Goa. After a decade, I feel perplexed by the thought of getting intoxicated and aimlessly club hopping all night (forgetting that I have been been there done that many-a-times!!).Surprisingly, I have been behaving absurd lately and trying to restrain myself from alcohol. As I continue to be spoiled at an exponential rate, I now find Goa resorts monotonous.
What the hell is wrong with me ? Why can't I enjoy like everybody else ? So has my initmate affair with this beach laden state come to an end ? Fortunately, there is a missing piece of the puzzle and it will bring me back! I recently realized that the popular hippie central is an excellent spiritual getaway. A host of yoga retreats in Goa have sprung up if you seek a holistic experience or if you are looking for an unusual holiday. I have been trying to gain information on a yoga holiday in Goa, and here is my summary.
Yogamagic Eco-retreat
Residents bathe with fresh well water from clay urns. Yoga Magic has specially designed smell free eco-composting toilets. These toilets use mango woodchips and effective micro-organisms to return everything back to nature. There’s a naturally filtered swimming pool centered around a small island with waterfalls and streams.
Yoga classes are held in the yoga temple every morning and evening along with meditation, chanting and satsang. The food at Yogamagic is organic and Indian fusion vegetarian. Yoga magic is not a dedicated yoga center, but an eco-friendly resort offering yoga and wellness activities. However with its environmental initiatives, it’s the most authentic eco-retreat I have ever come across. Tent tariffs start at Rs.2750 and yoga classes are Rs.300 per session. http://www.yogamagic.net/.
Lotus Yoga Retreat
Lotus Yoga Retreat is a beachfront yoga retreat with onsite accommodation in quaint South Goa. Their eco-friendly beach huts made out of bamboo, palm leaves and straw. They offer daily morning-evening yoga and meditation classes which are free for all residents.
There also conduct special yoga retreats where yoga masters from around the world focus on particular forms of Yoga. The retreat dates are declared well in advance giving you ample time to make arrangements. Yoga classes are held on a large yoga shala overlooking the ocean or alternatively a smaller mountain deck. Resort prices start 40 Euros per person and include accommodation, one meal and daily yoga classes. The retreats are individually priced depending on the duration and the teacher. http://www.lotus-yoga-retreat.com/.
The Bhramani Yoga Center
The Brahmani Yoga Centre offers daily classes in Ashtanga,Vinyasa Flow,Hatha,Pranayama,Meditation, Kundalini, and Restorative Yoga and offers teacher training programmes. A precise schedule is printed on their website so you can choose in advance the form of yoga you wish to practice. Each class focuses on one form so its an excellent choice if you want to focus on a specific form.
They center has no accomodation onsite, but several resorts in Anjuna are easily accessible. Yoga classes are walk-in and no reservations are necessary. The classes are Rs. 500 for each session or you can buy a book of 10 class tickets for Rs. 3,500. http://www.brahmaniyoga.com/.
Harmonic Healing
Harmonic offers a distinctive range of healing and treatments in India on Patnem beach. Yoga shalas and massage cabanas give you an amazing view of blue sea Apart from yoga, they offer other unique workshops in classical Indian singing, Bollywood dancing, Pilates, Byron Katie, Louise Hay, Conscious Breath, Bowen, Tarot and also have an onsite Chiropractor! Frankly, I have never heard some of these names and had to google to get insight on them. But its wonderful that learning on such unique subjects is now accessible in India.
They host yoga retreats as well and details are available on their website. Each activity is priced seperately and yoga classes start at Rs. 200. One observation was that the healing therapies seemed excellent value for money. They don't offer accommodation onsite but give you options to stay in the vicinity. http://www.harmonicingoa.com/.
Satsanga Retreat
Satsanga Retreat is situated in the village of Verla Canca, located near Mapusa. They offer an array of yoga retreats and training programs taught by teachers from around the world. Satsanga Retreat is family-run and has onsite rooms with en-suite facilities. Every teacher prices retreats individually and the center can be contacted for room pricing. http://www.satsangaretreat.com/
P.S. - I am a novice at yoga and have never visited any of the above yoga centers. Incase you decide to go, please do further research on the center and teachers. As most of the retreats attract westerners, they are open only during the busy season in Goa (November-April) .
"All travel is spiritual practice. Every destination we travel toward is a sacred place - because everywhere we stand is holy ground. " - Paul Jenkins
thats very resourceful...looking forward for my next goa trip.
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