A Global Breath: Two Luxury Wellness Destinations Redefining Yoga as a Way of Life
Reported By: Matthew Kennedy
June 21 marks International Yoga Day, a celebration that transcends borders, studios, and sun salutations. While it’s easy to mark the occasion with a mat and a pose, two destinations invite something deeper: a full immersion into the ancient wisdom of yoga—where wellness is woven into every breath, and the setting is as integral as the practice.
From the sacred Himalayan foothills of Rishikesh to the mist-veiled cloud forests of Monteverde, these properties don’t simply offer yoga—they live it.
Ananda in the Himalayas, India: Returning to Yoga’s Source
Perched in Uttarakhand, on the edge of the Ganges River, Ananda offers a return to origins—not only geographically, but spiritually. Rishikesh, long considered the Yoga Capital of the World, is where tradition is not preserved in amber, but continuously practiced and personalized.
At Ananda in the Himalayas, the classical yogic path is not fragmented—it’s unified. Guests follow a bespoke program crafted by seasoned practitioners that aligns physical movement with mental clarity and spiritual exploration. The asana is just the beginning.
Signature Experiences at Ananda:
Yogic Detox:
A holistic purification journey that uses traditional Shatkriyas (cleansing techniques), therapeutic asanas, breathwork, and diet to eliminate energetic and physical blockages. The focus: balance the body’s internal systems and reset the mind.
Holistic Yoga:
A multidimensional blend of Hatha, Bhakti, Jnana, and Raja Yoga, crafted to meet personal goals—from emotional healing to strength and resilience. The approach is expansive, spiritual, and integrative.
Dhyana Meditation:
Steeped in the Raja Yoga tradition, this path works through the deeper limbs of yogic practice—pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), and dhyana (meditation)—leading guests inward, toward stillness and expanded awareness.
Beyond the structured programs, Ananda’s setting does its own quiet work. Morning mist on temple grounds, birdsong carried through the Himalayan air, and the unspoken reverence of being where yoga was born—these are moments that move far beyond exercise.
Hotel Belmar, Monteverde: A Cloud Forest Sanctuary in Costa Rica
Where Ananda roots into sacred ground, Hotel Belmar floats in a different kind of stillness. Tucked high in the Monteverde cloud forest, this family-owned eco-hotel delivers yoga as part of a regenerative rhythm—one shaped by sound, soil, and silence.
Each open-air session at Hotel Belmar is framed by nature: panoramic forest views, the trill of birds, and shifting mists that blur the line between the physical and the intangible. Yoga here is not a departure from daily life, but a richer way of engaging with it.
Ongoing Offerings at Hotel Belmar:
Morning Yoga:
Daily gentle vinyasa and Hatha-inspired flows, led in a breezy chalet designed to reconnect movement with nature’s pace.
Wellness in the Woods:
A forest-bathing and yoga fusion held in SAVIA, the hotel’s private cloud forest reserve—an intentional immersion where each pose becomes an act of listening.
Sunset Meditation & Sound Journeys:
Evening sessions blend breathwork and vibrational healing, encouraging introspection as the day closes.
Farm-to-Body Dining:
Meals are crafted with ingredients from Finca Madre Tierra, the hotel’s on-site carbon-neutral farm, reinforcing wellness from the inside out.
Special Events for International Yoga Day:
Sunrise Solstice Yoga – June 21 at 8:00 AM
A group sun salutation practice led by instructor Arantza, honoring the summer solstice with breath and intention.
“Con las Estrellas Brillando” Live Music Performance – June 21 at 4:00 PM
A World Music Day celebration at the hotel’s Tap Room & Beer Garden.
Sound Bath & Meditation – June 22 at 9:00 AM
A 90-minute healing session led by Óscar Jiménez and Vale Sisa, using traditional instruments to facilitate deep release.
At both Ananda in the Himalayas and Hotel Belmar, yoga is more than posture—it’s presence. These sanctuaries aren’t escapes; they’re invitations to recalibrate, to return to a deeper alignment, and to carry that stillness home.
On this International Yoga Day, there are countless ways to practice. But for those seeking something enduring, these destinations offer the rare opportunity to move beyond the mat—and into the heart of what yoga truly is.