On a New York yoga retreat, you’ll usually spend a few days taking classes, guided meditation, and exploring the beautiful outdoors that the state has to offer. Finding succinct information about the available retreats can be difficult as they don’t all use the same booking platform.
That’s why I’ve put together this helpful guide to the best yoga retreats in New York along with booking information and a handy comparison table at the end of the article.
Best Overall: Earth Mind Wellness Center
Their 3-day ‘relax and refresh’ retreat runs year-round which offers some true rest and relaxation with daily wellness classes, hikes, guided meditation, workshops, and some time to explore the center by yourself.
If you’re looking to visit with your partner, they also occasionally run a 3-day ‘couples reconnection’ yoga retreat which helps you reconnect through classes, workshops, and hiking.
Best for Hatha: Vita Pure Yoga
Vite Pure Yoga isn’t actually based in New York State itself, however, they do run regular retreats in the Catskill Mountains and Saratoga Springs where you’ll get to stay in luxury spa hotels located in some of the most beautiful places. There are some incredible hikes in the Catskills or you can decide to take leisurely strolls around their gardens.
The retreats center around Hatha yoga classes which are often held outdoors alongside hiking, forest bathing, and other outdoor activities to help you feel closer to nature.
The retreats are aimed at beginner Yogis and designed in an immersive style to release stress and deepen your yoga practice. This is one of the most expensive retreats in New York but you can expect a touch of luxury for much-needed R&R.
Best for Long Term Stays: Sivananda Yoga Ranch
Sivananda Yoga Ranch is a peaceful non-profit retreat located in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. Unlike the other retreats here, this is a residential retreat where you’ll stay for at least 30 days to fully immerse yourself into the yogi lifestyle.
It’s a great opportunity to study, write, or just take some personal time for reflection thanks to deep meditation that helps prepare the mind. This retreat will help you deepen your practice through Asanas, Pranayama breathing techniques, vegetarian meals, chanting, and a sense of community.
Best for Aspiring Writers: Birth a Book
Birth a Book is a retreat that regularly takes place in New York City and helps yogis, coaches, and wellness professionals who want to write and self-publish a book.
The retreats combine yoga classes, book writing classes, one-on-one coaching, and writing sessions to help you accomplish that book project you’ve been putting off for so long.
It’s run by best-selling author Dorothy Holtermann and editor Clementina Esposito who have both worked with countless authors and yogis during their careers.
Best for Restorative: Lara Land Yoga
Lara Land Yoga retreats are run by Lara Land (hence the name), who is a yoga teacher and spiritual coach with more than 20 years of experience helping her students reach their highest potential.
At the retreat, you’ll experience a morning Ashtanga yoga session and an additional restorative yoga session each day. This is alongside lectures, workshops, and outdoor activities such as hiking. You’ll also get to grips with yoga and early Buddhist philosophy at the retreat and can take daily meditation classes.
Best for Individuals: The iHart Lens
The iHart Home is more than just a retreat, it’s where your healing instructor, Sara Hart, actually lives. She has opened up her home to allow individuals and small groups to come and stay with her.
Sara is a fine artist so the retreat focused on art, asana (yoga poses), and reiki (energy healing).
During your 4 day stay, you’ll receive daily guided meditations and yoga, walking meditation, an opportunity to see local landmarks, and a chance to get out into nature.
Unlike the other retreats shared here, there are no set dates for this one so you can find availability as you would with a normal hotel room.
Best for Meditation: Peaceful Village Learning and Retreat Center
If you like peace and quiet then the Peaceful Village Learning and Retreat Center will be right up your street. The center usually has a packed schedule of classes and workshops.
Unlike the other retreats here, this one is more focused on meditation than yoga, but there are plenty of spaces where you can practice.
There are lots of lectures with renowned Brahma Kumari spiritual leaders coming to share their thoughts in hour-long sessions. These can get quite in-depth at some points so be prepared with a notepad to help keep track.
In between learning, you can explore the sacred grounds where you’ll find trails, mountain trails, and streams. Watch this YouTube video to find out more.
Best DIY Trip: YO1 Wellness Center
All of the previous retreats tend to be well organized with full schedules to keep you busy. However, if you’re looking for a bit more of a relaxing experience where you can come and go as you please, the YO1 Wellness Center, set among the lakes and pine forests of the beautiful Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, is a great choice.
The rooms and spas are beautiful and have a real touch of luxury. But, what makes this place extra special is the focus on Eastern holistic therapies and guidance from an authentic Indian perspective.
Expect Ayurveda, naturopathy, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and reiki healing, among others. They will help you tailor a personal treatment plan for longevity and wellness well beyond your stay.
Best for Weekend Retreats: Yoga Darshana Center
The Yoga Darshana Center is another non-profit yoga center in New York. They have built up an avid community and lead seasonal yoga retreats, these might be at the center itself or oftentimes elsewhere in the state.
The retreats tend to be very short around 1 or 2 days, they are more like a mini yoga festival than your typical retreat in a resort. At a Yoga Darshana Center retreat, you can take part in sunrise yoga, Pranayama breathing techniques, meditative flow yoga, and guided meditation to integrate the body, mind, and spirit.
Comparison Table
| Retreat | Earth Mind Wellness Center | Vita Pure Yoga | Sivananda Yoga Ranch | Birth a Book | Lara Land Yoga | The iHart Lens | Peaceful Village Learning and Retreat Center | YO1 Wellness Center | Yoga Darshana Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | From €199 per day | From €438 per day | From $40 per day | From €538 per day | From €124 per person | From €193 per night | Unknown | From £205 per night | From $149 per day |
| Duration | 3 days | 3 days | 30 days minimum | 4 days | 6 days | 5 days | Any | Any | 2 days |
| Types of Yoga | Hatha, Restorative, Transformational, Do-In, Alignment | Hatha | Ashram | Hatha | Restorative, Ashtanga | Nidra | Brahma Kumaris | Unknown | Unknown |
| No. of Participants | Up to 20 people | 4-12 people | Unknown | Up to 15 people | Unknown | 1 person | No limit | No limit | Unknown |
| Location | Ellenville, NY | Various NY locations | Catskill Mountains, NY | New York City, NY | Delaware County, NY | Dutchess County, NY | Hudson Valley, NY | Catskill Mountains, NY | Various NY locations |
