Yoga and the Restless

A week of doing nothing but downward dogs can get a bit dull. We tracked down nine outfitters that run yoga retreats with a little something extra.

by Jennifer Wilson From

Spring/Summer 2008 Girlfriend Getaways> Subscribe Now

White-water rafting
Bill Dvorák's six-day getaways tackle 86 miles of rapids on Utah's wild Green River, once an escape route for Butch Cassidy, with yoga classes held morning and evening on the riverbanks. 800/824-3795, dvorakexpeditions.com, from $1,859.

Biking
Take in a morning hatha yoga class before biking along Penobscot Bay on Ciclismo Classico's six-day Maine escape. You can also go hiking and lobstering. Home base is the historic Oakland House. 800/866-7314, ciclismoclassico.com, from $2,695.

Volcano trekking
On Vajra Sol Travel's nine-day Arenal Volcano trip in Costa Rica, follow your morning vinyasa yoga classes with sea kayaking, a zip-line ride through the rain forest, or a soak in a volcanic hot spring. 866/493-9642, vajrasoltravel.com, from $1,495.

Horseback riding
Big Sky Yoga Retreats hosts five-day getaways at the Gallatin Gateway Inn, in Bozeman, Mont. If the two daily yoga sessions aren't enough, you can even practice poses while on horseback. 406/587-2390, bigskyyogaretreats.com, from $2,750.

Wining & dining
Bliss Flow Yoga pairs vinyasa yoga (set to music to open the senses) with gourmet dinners and vineyard tours in Washington State's Columbia River Valley. The three-day trips are held in May and November. 608/273-3569, blissflowyoga.com, from $1,285.

Skiing
Hit the slopes and the yoga mat on a three-day Adventure Yoga Retreat near California's Mammoth Mountain. Classes include Iyengar, Ashtanga, and restorative yoga. 877/624-6308, adventureyogaretreats.com, from $650, ski rentals and lift tickets extra.

Surfing
In addition to Ashtanga and vinyasa yoga sessions, held every morning on a lanai, SwellWomen's seven-day Maui trips include daily massages, snorkeling, mountain hikes, and, of course, surfing lessons. 800/399-6284, swellwomen.com, from $2,495.

Chocolate tasting
Vosges chocolatier Katrina Markoff and yoga guru David Romanelli host events that combine vinyasa yoga and chocolate sampling in locales like Portland, Ore., and Los Gatos, Calif. 888/301-9866, vosgeschocolate.com, from $265, hotel extra.

Hiking
The Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, Mass., has long been a mecca for yoga aficionados. Spend mornings exploring the Berkshires, then take an Anusara or kundalini yoga class. 800/741-7353, kripalu.org, two-day packages from $200, hotel extra.

Prices are per person; when hotel is included, rates are based on double occupancy; airfare isn't included.

Print this article

Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Girlfriend Getaways