Yoga has become so popular in the U.S. in recent years that it was only a matter of time before the trend began to drive themed vacations.
A devotee myself, I’ve been able to practice yoga on cruise ships, ski hotels and beach resorts throughout the U.S. One issue, however, is that a surprising number of yoga teachers who lead these sessions are hobbyists who may not have the skills required to lead a legitimate class.
An option from Dolomite Mountains, a 15-year-old adventure travel company based in Italy, enables travelers to take part in a series of six-night retreats that combine hiking and yoga with a certified yoga master.
According to Dolomite, the instructor, Egon Castlunger, holds a RYT-200 designation, signifying that he has undergone 200 hours of teacher training from the Yoga Alliance, an Arlington, Va.-based organization that recommends training standards and gives out the RYT designation.
The retreats include a blend of Hatha yoga, Vinyasa flow and Yin yoga that participants can take twice a day, bracketing hiking excursions in the dramatic, craggy Dolomites. Accommodations are in five-star properties.
“We designed this new itinerary based on requests from our past clients," said company founder Agustina Lagos-Marmol. "Many of them practice yoga at home and wanted to practice yoga in the majestic setting of the Dolomites with a great instructor.”
The packages, which require a minimum of six people, are priced at about $3,500 per person, double, including accommodations, some meals, yoga instruction, mountain lift passes and medical and evacuation insurance. Participants can choose from group or customizes departures.