Yoga at 5am and no meat: The wellness holiday in hot demand

Outside the idyllic yoga hall, a cool breeze rustles through lush, tropical plants, the gentle sound of birdsong fills my ears, and the sweet smell of essential oils permeates my nostrils. As far as settings for yoga go, you can’t really get better.

“One of the great byproducts of regular yoga practice is that you’ll notice freedom from all sorts of negative or destructive behavioural patterns.” Credit: Ibai Acevedo / Stocksy United

With a greater spiritual awareness sweeping Western society, modern-day travellers are increasingly forgoing their annual beach or city holiday in favour of more meaningful and transformative experiences. And one of the most popular of these “fit-cations” is a yoga retreat. Ranked as one of the fastest-growing fitness activities in Australia, a raft of retreats has popped up to cater to this demand, including the one I’m on at Krishna Village Eco Yoga Retreat.

Retreat guests, volunteers, and spirituality-seekers from all over the world gather to immerse themselves in the retreat’s “love life, live yoga” lifestyle.

Set in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, in the foothills of Wollumbin/Mount Warning, (an easy 40-minute drive from Gold Coast Airport), this property of more than 400 hectares comprises a community centred around the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which also opens its doors to those seeking a yogic immersion. Here, a population of retreat guests, volunteers, and spirituality-seekers from all over the world gather to immerse themselves in the retreat’s “love life, live yoga” lifestyle.

Soon after arriving, myself and the 15 or so other retreat attendees quickly fall into a routine – albeit a very much “choose your own adventure” one. Every day there are three regular yoga classes: a gentle 5am sunrise session, a 6.30am Hatha flow, and a more dynamic afternoon Vinyasa one.

Throughout the day there are also workshops and lectures. Propped up on bolsters, we dive into 5000 years’ worth of yogic philosophy and learn more about modalities like meditation and Ayurveda. At lunchtime, we participate in Kirtan (communal singing). One evening I join an immersive sound-healing experience by candlelight before floating back to my room under a starlit sky.

Krishna Village also houses a small wellness centre. Here, amidst the tranquillity, a small team offers treatments designed to complement the yogic practices, from therapeutic massages to energy healing sessions. There’s tech-y wellness treatments, such as the LED light therapy bed, alongside ancient practices like Vedic astrology.

Beyond the wellness, yoga and meditation, the village offers a glimpse into a different way of life. Accommodation is simple – small cabins scattered among the lush, green grounds – and meals are buffet-style vegetarian and prepared with fresh produce often sourced from the village’s own gardens. Over communal tables conversation flows easily among a diverse group of fellow seekers – city dwellers craving stillness, seasoned yogis deepening their practice, and those simply curious about a different way of being. There’s a palpable sense of connection here, a feeling of being part of something larger than oneself – after all, the literal translation of yoga is “union”.

“One of the great byproducts of regular yoga practice is that you’ll notice freedom from all sorts of negative or destructive behavioural patterns,” senior yoga teacher and retreat facilitator, Michael Kubitzky, tells me. “As a result, you’ll make much better choices and decisions in day-to-day living.”

True to his word, by my final morning I felt lighter, brighter, and full of energy. I’m excited about incorporating what I’ve learned – both about yoga and myself – into my everyday life. And while I’m far from an enlightened Yoda-like sage who has discovered happiness (I mean, it was only five days!), I do know that a yoga retreat can spark the beginning of a journey if you let it.

The writer was a guest of Krishna Village Eco Yoga Retreat.

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