Written by Jennifer Malisauskas
You might already be benefiting from your weekly yoga classes to relieve stress and bring balance into your daily live. ARE LOOKING FOR MORE? Consider super-sizing your experience by combining yoga with a vacation for the ultimate retreat. It’s a trip that can bring health and rejuvenation to the body, mind and spirit. Most retreats offer daily yoga practice combined with time for personal reflection, time with nature and meditation to enhance your relaxation.
Discover these great Canadian retreat centres for that needed getaway from the daily grind.
British Columbia
Hollyhock
Cortes Island, British Columbia
Our spectacular natural setting on Cortes Island is an ideal backdrop for transformative experiences. Founded in 1983, Hollyhock is Canada’s leading centre for lifelong learning, but you can also think of us as a “refuge for your soul”, a place that allows you access to what matters, or simply time to rest, play and achieve wellness in BC. Learning here is authentic and powerful, its impact far exceeding the physical boundaries of this special place. Our evolution into a non-profit organization has also allowed us to deepen the focus of our work towards you, our community and our offerings Wake up to a relaxing and rejuvenating morning movement or yoga and meditation class, or visit the lovingly crafted cob sanctuary.
Paradise Found Yoga
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Paradise Found Yoga offers retreats on enchanting Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada. Our mission is to provide a safe and enchanting space where the guest/student can quickly and effectively experience a shift toward the life they seek; where they can refresh and rejuvenate or simply get away from the daily grind. This pristine lakeside retreat with private dock and hot-tub offers a variety of activities. You’ll feel pampered, clear minded, relaxed and rejuvenated.
Salt Spring Centre of Yoga
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
We invite you to take a break from your everyday life to enrich yourself in one of our many life-enhancing programs. HIGHLIGHTS: *Practice yoga in nature surrounded by the serene natural beauty of Canada’s west coast, on 70-acres of woodland, meadows and gardens. *Indulge in incredible organic, vegetarian meals using produce from our farm. *Longest running yoga retreat on Canada’s West Coast *The Centre was built and continues to be run by volunteers in the spirit of karma yoga (selfless service). *The Centre provides both financial and volunteer support to the Sri Ram Orphanage in India. *We are a non-profit, registered charity.
Yasodhara Ashram
Kootenay Bay, British Columbia
Founded over 40 years ago, Yasodhara Ashram offers a variety of yoga courses and programs based on the teachings of Swami Sivananda Radha. The ashram is situated in woodland on the shores of Lake Kootenay, and offers a peaceful and light-filled environment for personal reflection. Courses range from two-day workshops to the three-month Yoga Development Course. Karma Yoga (work as selfless service) opportunities are also available.
Ontario
Grail Springs Wellness Retreat
Bancroft, Ontario
At Grail Springs our retreats are purpose-driven, designed to restore your wellbeing, founded on a holistic life-philosophy outlined in our bestselling book. Begin your day with the beloved Grail Mantra followed by yoga and mindfulness meditation. Hike each afternoon to the magical crystal outcrop or ride by horseback through our 100+ acres and trails. Then take to the saunas and traditional detoxifying and healing spa therapies. End your day gathered around the grand fireplace in the lakeside Great Hall and listen to transformational talks by visiting guest presenters. Fill your cup to overflowing.
www.grailsprings.com
Northern Edge Algonquin
South River, Ontario
The Edge is a beautiful nature and awareness retreat centre offering meaningful, memorable yoga retreat vacations where we facilitate inspiring yoga retreats for individuals and studio groups throughout the year. Located on the edge of Algonquin Provincial Park on the shores of Kawawaymog Lake, the setting is ideal for yoga in a relaxed and natural setting. Our facility and accommodations are all hand- crafted with stone and wood and ecologically- designed and operated through solar powered. Additionally, we specialize in vegetarian and vegan foods made with organic and locally grown ingredients.
www.northernedgealgonquin.com/index.html
Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre
Wyebridge Ontario
The Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre was created to provide a place for people to reconnect with a part of themselves that may be neglected or hidden, to connect with others or just getaway and have some fun! Whether you seek a much needed R&R break, a getaway from kids and family, romance, or a deeper spiritual connection, we will cater to your needs to make your visit a memorable experience.
Québec
Kio-O, Centre de ressourcement et de créativité
Ste-Lucie des Laurentides, Québec
Kio-o is a unique spiritual retreat and wellness centre, located in the heart of a 125 acre property in the beautiful Laurentian Mountains, about 100 km from Montreal. Before the opening of Kio-o, we held our activities at the Auberge du Lac Carré. We then moved to take over the Centre de Retraite l’Ermitage, a beautiful site located in Ste-Lucie-des-Laurentides.
www.kio-o.ca/?lang=en
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp
Val Morin, Québec
Welcome to the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp, founded in 1963 by Swami Vishnudevananda. We are located in the idyllic setting of the Laurentian Mountains, only an hour?s drive from Montreal, Canada —a sanctuary of peace and natural beauty. We welcome guests of all levels from the first-time beginner to the more advanced practitioner. Stay for a weekend, a few days, or treat yourself to a more extended vacation. Participate in one of our meditation or ayurveda courses or enrol in our world-acclaimed Teachers? Training Course. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
PS If you know any wonderful Canadian retreat Centres that I have left out please send me their info at info@yogadirectorycanada.com. I am always looking for new places to discover and share.
