Calling out all the yoga fanatics and advanced practitioners! If being cooped up in a yoga studio no longer floats your boat, then get your flow on in some tranquil sanctuaries in Asia and immerse yourself in the serene nature.

Western yoga is all about improving physiques and maintaining health whereas Eastern yoga places the focus on spiritual enlightenment and overall wellbeing. In the East, yogis are taught to disassociate themselves from the earthly possessions and adhere to the principles of minimalism in order to pursue the spiritual path.

The warm and fuzzy feeling after a short yoga class is fleeting if we refuse to adhere to the lifestyle and philosophy that traditional yoga puts forth. If you want to experience authentic yoga and take your practice up a notch, check out the following yoga retreats in Asia that surely will detox your mind more effectively than your average yoga classes. Even better, going to retreats can help you deepen your practice, meet people from all walks of life and leave you with a new way of thinking!

Fivelements, Puri Ahimsa, Bali

Nestled by the banks of Bali’s Ayung River, Fivelements is an award-winning wellness centre in Bali with the aim to guide people through a personal healing journey. Dotted with bamboo structures, shrines and peaceful gardens, Fivelements provides a sacred sanctuary for yogis to immerse themselves in the mystic culture of Bali. The yoga classes usually take place in a creative bamboo pavilion. You can even embark upon your healing journey by venturing into a rainforest to search for healing herbs with an ecologist.

Samahita Retreat, Thailand

Located on Laem Sor Beach on the south coast in Thailand, Samahita is a yoga retreat that provides a wide array of programs with the aim to help people reclaim the balance between body and mind. Samahita means being in balance, an integration of vitality, and peace in life. Samahita Retreat is a perfect sanctuary for those who feel overwhelmed by the work and life imbalance. The retreat specializes in yoga asana that is designed to help improve your digestive system, joint mobility, and long-term durability.

Ananda in the Himalayas, India

Situated at the Himalayan foothills in Northern India, Ananda is arguably the best yoga retreat in India that is surrounded by forests and overlooks the spiritual town of Rishikesh. Ananda is probably the best bet for a yoga experience with scenic views and lavish amenities. Ananda specializes in Hatha Yoga that usually takes place in a marble Pavillion. It also provides a weight management program that combines yoga with detox therapies, diet, meditation, and Western treatments.

Surf Goddess Retreats, Bali

Debating whether you should embark upon a surf or yoga retreat? Well, there’s a way to kill two birds with one stone. Surf Goddess Retreats is designed for adventurous women with unquenchable wanderlust. You can ride the waves with the Rip Curl School of Surf and unwind the pressure of life by practicing yoga in a tranquil pavilion overlooking the lush tropical gardens.

We all have days when we wake up with insurmountable fatigues and dread going to work. Mind and body go hand in hand for well-being. The best way to disassociate yourself from stress is to incorporate mindfulness practice into your daily life. Want to wake up every morning feeling refreshed and pumped? For starters, try the below relaxation techniques to achieve inner calm and peace of mind.

Practice Yoga               

Yoga doesn’t just help you get a better physique but also deepen the mind-body connection as it consists of a series of chant, meditation, and breathing techniques that will help you find inner peace. Not sure where to start? Try the most popular Hatha Yoga combines active movements and seated poses. It will also help you build endurance. If you want to deepen the body-mind connection, you can take your yoga mat to a tranquil beach to immerse yourself in nature and indulge in the moment of solitude.

Mindfulness Meditation

Meditation is a means of transforming your mind. If your crazy work schedule doesn’t allow you to go to a yoga studio or retreat, then try a 15 to 20 minutes meditation every day before you head out. Meditation mainly works wonder for your emotional well-being as it helps bridge the gap between your consciousness and subconsciousness. The purpose of meditation is to bring clarity to your mind and stop the internal dialogues. It helps you let go of your muscle tension and stress.

Practice Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is a powerful relaxation technique that can be combined with other elements such as aromatherapy and music. Don’t underestimate the powerfulness of deep breathing. It can help you tap into your subconsciousness and even strengthen your survival mechanisms. A man called Wim Hof was able to run a marathon across the snow using a breathing exercise known as the Wim Hof method which became acclaimed for treating arthritis, bipolar, chronic depression, and anxiety. The way it works is to take a deep breath from your abdomen to inhale more oxygen, rather than using your upper chest. More oxygen you take means a higher heart rate, adrenaline level, and less anxiety you have.

Go Floating

Floating therapy is another way to reduce stress hormones and stimuli. Floating is a form of sensory deprivation and psychedelic experience that makes you achieve a deep state of relaxation. Once you’re put in a pitch-black, soundproof pod with almost zero gravity and a foot of Epsom salt, you’ll immediately feel weightless and gradually doze off. As floating therapy diminishes all sensors – smells, sounds, touch, and sights, it helps you mellow out and let go of all the tension you get from work.

Digital Detox

If you find yourself constantly getting worked up when your cell phone chimes, chances are it’s time for you to turn the notifications off and have a “digital detox”. Human beings are fundamentally tribal so we find validation through sharing and “likes” on social media. But If you want to detach from the hustle and bustle of the reality, it’s always good to have a tech-free weekend and pick up a book to reinvent yourself

It goes without saying that yoga works wonder for body and mind. Whether you are a yogi who adheres to a strict yoga regimen or has just started dabbling in basic yoga poses, you know yoga is all about forging the mind-body connection and achieving self-actualization. But when you find yourself stuck in a rut and in need of a change, old-school yoga tunes like restorative and yin might be the last things that spring to mind. As quirky yoga fad has spread worldwide, we have had a dig about and selected the best unorthodox yoga classes in the city for you to keep up with the agile trends.

SUP Yoga

Stand Up Paddle Yoga is pretty self-explanatory: you practice yoga on a surfboard and use a long oar to skim the water. For those with weak balances, the idea of practising yoga off the ground and onto the water could be daunting. But there’s no better combination than cardio workout (SUP) and flexibility-based workout (Yoga). After all, an increase in flexibility without strength can result in instability. Besides, stand up paddling fires up more muscles than any other activities.

Laughter Yoga

Laughter releases endorphins, the brain’s “feeling good chemicals”. But did you know that your body cannot differentiate fake and real laughter? Founded by an Indian physician two decades ago, Laughter yoga hinges on the belief that laughing voluntarily can trigger endorphin release and gives physiological and psychological benefits.

Hula Yoga

If standing on one foot or balancing upside down on two hands isn’t tricky enough, then it’s time to kick it up a notch and try swirling the hula hoop around your waist when striking a tree pose. Incorporating hula hoop into practice helps rotate the torso and enhances coordination. On the opposite end of spectrum, it helps disassociate you from stress and ego and ultimately find the inner child in you.

Wall Rope Yoga

You may find wall rope yoga intimidating If you’ve clicked through images online of professional yogis hanging gracefully midair. But don’t worry, you don’t need to have tremendous strength or know how to pull off the gravity defying feats since wall rope yoga is not the same as aeriel yoga. With wall rope yoga, all you need is good endurance and concentration level. It’s known as a practice for Iyengar devotees which emphasises details, alignment and control, so don’t get worked up if your instructor repeatedly points out your mistakes like a stickler of details.

Aerial Yoga On The Beach

If practicing yoga in a confined space with four walls isn’t your thing, then take your practice to a tranquil beach where you can immerse yourself in the nature and soak up the beauty around you. As the saying goes, “Mother nature has the power to please, to calm, to comfort, and to nature one’s soul”, there’s something invigorating about hanging upside down on a hammock and slinking into various yoga poses gracefully against a sweeping backdrop. Practicing aerial yoga on a beach helps strengthen your core and center your energy through mind-body connection.

 Here are the top health benefits that practicing yoga has to offer

1. Practicing yoga can improve your flexibility, strength, and posture

Practicing yoga can improve your overall muscle strength, flexibility and posture. The muscles you build while practicing yoga can lower the risk of injury involved in other sports and could help to lower back pain and other joint problems.

2. Practicing yoga can improve weight loss and help you maintain a healthy weight

Practicing yoga can lower the level of stress hormone known as cortisol in human body. Constant stress and anxiety can drive up the level of fat hormone or cortisol. However, practicing yoga can help to calm your nervous system and improve weight loss.

3. Practicing yoga can help to improve your immune system

Practicing yoga can improve your overall health by improving the blood circulation and nervous system. Yoga can also help to lower the risk of many chronic and degenerative diseases and boost your immune system.

4. Practicing yoga can improve memory and brain function

The stretching and breathing techniques that involves yoga can help to improve your memory capacity and concentration. In fact, research shows that yoga can improve memory and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and cognitive problems.

5. Practicing yoga can improve your mental health