Best Yoga Retreats In The USA (For Everyone’s Unique Needs)

Yoga retreats offer a peaceful oasis where millennials can find solace and restore balance in their lives.  There are many different yoga retreats all over the United States and each one offers a unique set of activities, accommodations, and price points.

To help you find the best yoga retreat for your needs, I have compiled a list of the top seven yoga retreats in America! 

These retreats offer everything from stunning mountain views and incredible lakefront locations to a silent solo experience or a more social oasis.

Here are my top 7 picks for the best yoga retreats in the USA:

• Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Stockbridge, Massachusetts
• Sedona Zen Mountain Monastery, Arizona
• Rolling Meadows Yoga & Meditation Retreats – Brooks, Maine
• Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, New York
• The Raj Ayurveda Center – Iowa
• Insight Meditation Society, Barre Massachusetts
• Mount Madonna Center, Northern California

But first…

What Is A Yoga Retreat?

A yoga retreat is a type of vacation that focuses on practicing yoga and meditation in a quiet, peaceful setting. Most yoga retreats offer daily yoga classes. Also, enjoy workshops and lectures on various topics related to health and wellness. 

In addition, many retreats include hiking or nature walks, healthy meals, and time for relaxation and reflection.

Why Should You Go On A Yoga Retreat?

If you are looking for an opportunity to disconnect from the stressors of everyday life and focus on your wellbeing, then a yoga retreat may be perfect for you.

Yoga retreats offer a way to change your surroundings and completely immerse yourself in a series of different activities that involve you shutting out the world. 

They offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life that can sometimes leave us feeling stressed to the max.

They center around you focusing only on your mind, body, and breath, and finding a part of yourself you didn’t know was missing, especially if you feel lost in some way and need some direction. 

Aside from potentially “finding yourself,” yoga retreats can be a great way to meet new people. It is one of the easiest places to approach people who are likely friendly, non-judgmental, and looking to meet new people.

Sharing in this unique experience with other people and sharing how this experience affects you can be a beautiful way to form a friendship.

What Does A Typical Day At A Yoga Retreat Look Like?

A typical day at a yoga retreat includes several hours of Yoga practice, giving you plenty of time to improve your poses and learn new techniques. 

You will also have the opportunity to attend workshops on topics such yoga for anxiety, Reiki, learning a happy and healthier you, setting intentions, and more.

To sum it up, the activities revolve around you getting more in touch with you in the most peaceful way possible.

How Much Do Yoga Retreats In The US Typically Cost?

The short answer depends on how long you want to go and how cheap or fancy you’re looking for the experience to be. Typical retreats start as low as $50 a day. But, can run up to $3000 depending on how luxurious you want it to be, what is included, the location and the activities included.

Without further ado: 

Best Yoga Retreats In The Unites States

1. Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Best Activities On A Retreat

The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health is a world-renowned yoga retreat center that offers weeklong yoga retreats. They are open to people of all levels of experience. There are also shorter weekend or midweek programs. 

This beautiful location in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts features stunning mountain views, delicious vegetarian food, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

Access to over 100 acres of hiking trails, walking paths, a private lakefront area, and indoor amenities.

Activities at Kripalu focus on yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, healthy cooking, and nutrition. Activities include topics such as Self-Care, Life Skill, Posture Workshop, guided hiking, YogaDance, and more.

R&R Overnight rates include three meals, access to workshops and yoga classes, and full use of the Kripalu grounds.

Standard prices start at about $95 a night for overnight stays and $125 for a day pass.

For more information: [https://kripalu.org/content/kripalu-retreat-renewal]

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2. Sedona Zen Mountain Monastery, Arizona

Best Scenic Escape

Nestled in the red rocks of Sedona, this monastery is home to an international community of Buddhist practitioners. The monastery, a true sanctuary, offers silent meditation retreats as well as workshops on mindfulness and Buddhist teachings.

Their campus, located on 173-acres of Sedona desert red rocks, is surrounded by sage, rosemary, lavender, prickly pear and, fruit trees. Sedona Mago offers a variety of serene and spacious accommodations and onsite programs including yoga, meditation, meditation walks, physical healing with qigong exercises, and more. 

Some additional activities include Sound Healing / Floating Meditation, a sun meditation, daily journaling, waterfall meditation, 120 steps life reflection meditation, etc.

Sedona Mago Center for Well-being and Retreat has many programs designed to help you heal.  They even offer a quiz on their website to see which workshop or retreat is best for you.

In 5 days and 4 nights, you can learn to manage your stress, balance your emotions, create circulation in your body, and connect to your true essence. Learn ancient energy principles, and recover overall health. 

Included in your stay are three meals, a private bath, a healing vortex and many different room accommodations. 

Prices: The tuition with a private room is $2,160 and shared is $1,920

For more information: (https://sedonamagoretreat.org)

3. Rolling Meadows Yoga & Meditation Retreats – Brooks, Maine

Best Outdoor Activity Retreat

If you’re looking for a rustic yoga retreat and off the beaten path, Rolling Meadows Yoga & Meditation Retreats in Brooks, Maine is perfect. 

This intimate getaway offers yoga classes, meditation workshops and plenty of outdoor activities like hiking, biking and swimming. Also, enjoy some downtime by reading a book by the campfire or relaxing in one of the hammocks.

They sum up your stay with  meditation, yoga, movement, self-inquiry, pranayama, breathwork, silence, and unstructured time in the natural world. The emphasis is on awareness and personal transformation. Anyone interested in a spa-type experience is advised to look elsewhere.

Retreats are available on scheduled dates only and the cost of a stay at their Main retreat center for 4-night retreat is $1,225.

For more information: (https://rollingmeadowsretreat.com/maine-retreats/)

4. Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, New York

Best Part Adventure, Part Spa Retreat

If you’re looking for a yoga retreat that leans more into a blend of yoga and getting your body moving with recreational activities, Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York is probably your best bet. 

This institute offers weeklong and weekend yoga retreats. 

Omega’s popular Rest & Rejuvenation retreat, available May to October, are a great way to unwind and renew your spirit on 250-acre’s of land. The instructors are highly experienced and certified in their fields.

Their All-Inclusive Stay includes: three gourmet meals daily, Daly open classes include yoga, tai chi, and meditation in their sanctuary, canoeing, kayaking, or row-boating along beautiful Long Pond Lake, use of their library, tennis and basketball, art supplies, trials and, garden use.

Enjoy body work therapy, massages and facials on this retreat that can be part adventure, and part spa-like.

Per Person Rates – Single

Weekend Programs: $ 720, 5-Day Programs: $ 1,500, and 7-Night Stay is $ 2,180

 Looking to relax and rejuvenate your body and mind amongst a picturesque setting? Then, Omega Institute is definitely the retreat for you!

 For more information: ( https://www.eomega.org) 

5. The Raj Ayurveda Center, Iowa

Best Spa Yoga Retreat

Looking for a unique and life-changing ayurvedic experience?

At the Raj Ayurveda Center, you can rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. The center is large, with 36,000 square feet of space. It is also set in nature, among 100 acres of woods and rolling meadows in Iowa. Come and explore the natural beauty while you restore balance in your life.

They Raj boasts about a boutique experience, with exclusive, high quality standards. The Raj offers yoga and breathing exercises. There are also optional mediation classes as effective stress reduction tools. They combine ancient healing practices with modern treatments.

The resort offers guests an opportunity to heal themselves through programs like Transcendental Meditation and Ayurvedic treatments. They also have a variety of wellness activities, including anti-stress massages, meditation workshops, and more!

What’s more, they are unique in that they offer treatments specifically designed for so many afflictions. Treat depression, stress and anxiety, chronic pain issues and more.

Accommodations: Each room comes with a continental breakfast and the Raj Restaurant offers a range of vegetarian meals for lunch and dinner. Next, the restaurant includes the option of traditional family-style meals or private dining as well as a Sunday buffet. 

Price: Single occupancy rates start at $108, Double occupancy from $123. In-Residence Panchakarma Packages are $660 per day and include 2-3 hours of Ayurvedic Spa Treatments, Yoga classes, Evening Lectures, all meals and more.

For more information visit: (https://theraj.com)

6. INSIGHT MEDITATION SOCIETY, BARRE MASSACHUSETTS 

Best Low Cost Retreat

This retreat center in Barre Massachusetts is understated, yet transformative. The retreats are designed for both new and experienced meditators.

Though it is not considered a yoga retreat, I added it to the list for these reasons: the cost, the meditation experience, and the fact that there is a space for yoga whenever you would like to practice yoga instead of a walking meditation.

The day is spent in silent practice with alternate periods of sitting and walking meditation. 

Meditation teachers from all over the world offer daily instruction and guidance in Buddhist meditations known as vipassana (insight) and metta (lovingkindness). 

Buddhist meditation is not just for the elite. The Retreat Center offers courses that will teach you how to meditate and develop compassion with ease, with a range of silent meditation courses available, varying in length from a weekend to three months.

Come in the Winter months and enjoy the unique opportunity to take mindful walks in the snow where each slow and calculated footstep immerses you with peace and tranquility. 

The best thing about these retreats? They’re available at your convenience – no matter what time works better for YOU.

Accommodations include 3 buffet-style meals a day, a selection of caffeinated and herbal teas are freely available at all times and there are three dormitories with single bed bedrooms.

The cost? 

IMS retreat fees are on a sliding scale basis that allows participants to pay according to what they can afford. There is an opportunity to offer donations to the teachers at the end of each retreat.

For more information: https://www.dharma.org/retreats/schedules/retreat-center/

7. MOUNT MADONNA CENTER, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Best Flexible Accommodation Retreat (Bring Your Own Tent!)

Mount Madonna Center, located in Northern California, is a place of serene beauty and deep spiritual meaning, where visitors can find solace from their busy lives. The 355 acres, located on mountain-top redwood forest is sure to be a scenic delight. 

Mount Madonna has hotel-style buildings with shared bathrooms (no TVs or phones) to help keep you present in the experience, separate cabins, or the option to bring your tent during the warmer months. 

Some of their offerings include yoga classes in asana, meditation, pranayama, and philosophy, “yoga of devotion” in the Sankaṭ Mochan Hanumān Temple located on a mountaintop, and use of the wellness center where you can receive a traditional massage and other body therapies. 

You can take it outdoors by going on a hike, swimming in the lake, or mindfully walking in the garden. If you’re looking for a silent retreat they offer this option as well.

Price: Prices are per person per day and include vegetarian meals, lodging and facilities use. Choose your experience with single person occupancy starting as low as $78 a night if you bring your own tent,$148 a night for a more remote, double cabin location, and as high as $255 a night if your looking for your own bathroom. There are many different accommodations to choose from sure to please every person.

Maybe a retreat isn’t realistic for you right now? Mount Madonna offers several free online, live classes!    

For more information visit: (https://www.mountmadonna.org/online-offerings)

Sum Up

There you have it. The best yoga retreats in the United States. If you need of some stress relief, one of these retreats is bound to do the trick. In fact, yoga retreats can be life-changing because they reset your intentions, your perspective on life, and most importantly yourself.

A yoga retreat is an excellent way to relieve stress and recharge your body. Go alone or grab a friend. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, consider retreating to one of these amazing yoga havens for a little peace and relaxation. You won’t regret it!