Vacations that Pay: Sangha Yoga Retreats

Protect the pocketbook while rewarding the mind, body, and soul.

Stepping out of your comfort zone and into a place where you can focus on inner healing; it’s an appealing alternative to traditional vacations for stressed-out travelers looking to enjoy some scrumptious food, gorgeous scenery, and comradery with like- minded adventure-seekers.

The yoga industry has been growing steadily since the 1970s. Today, yoga holds a strong position in both the fitness and health worlds. It is easy to understand why.

The practice is based on ancient traditions but has been adapted to modern lifestyles. Approximately 36 million Americans experience the benefits of yoga. While some pursue it to lose weight and feel fit, the gentle stretches also release tension, lower blood pressure, and provide other health advantages. Participants, of whom more than 70 percent are women, also report feeling happier after taking up the practice.

These benefits naturally extend into the workplace, where employees return to work more focused,

confident, and creative. Yoga reduces fatigue and time away from work due to ailments, which is why an increasing number of insurance policies are now covering the cost of classes within their fitness reimbursement plans.

Worldwide, the yoga industry generates an estimated $130 billion through the price of instruction, clothing, equipment, and accessories. During the pandemic lockdown, the rise of athleisure wear, meditation, and home workouts kept the yoga industry strong while simultaneously devastating yoga studios who were unable to adapt.

Nourishing Yoga in Our Neighborhood

Yoga Mandali, a thriving studio space in the heart of Saratoga Springs (who will be celebrating their 20th anniversary next year) shut down for eight months during the pandemic. Once they reopened, there were tight masking, disinfection, and spacing restrictions. Amid the upheaval, Yoga Mandali’s owner, Kristen Zorda also had her fourth child.

After the shutdown, Yoga Mandali’s loyal community of regulars returned, and the studio’s offerings have continued to grow.

“It’s almost as if people were looking for that connection again,” said Kristen. “The right studio calms stress levels and is very nourishing for the mind and soul.”

Now, Kristen is finding that people are ready to recover from those extra-stressful years while taking their yoga practice to the next level, which is one of the reasons she, and business partner Beth Beaton Mausert, began hosting Sangha Retreats this year.

Transformational Spaces

Sangha Retreats are about more than unlocking tight hips, they are about reconnecting with yourself, and disconnecting from the world for a little while – all without breaking the bank.

Offerings vary from one retreat to another but generally include accommodations and meals; yoga, meditation, or wellness sessions; and a variety of leisure activities with a group of 15-20 people while immersed in an impressive locale.

“Travelling gives you the pause you need from day-to- day life to reset, to step outside your normal routine and see things in a different light,” said Kristen.

Called “Sangha” (which means “together” in Sanskrit), these are gatherings of like-minded people looking for a deeper connection.

“We’re all coming in as strangers, but by the end, we’re very close – like a family.”

Going with the Flow

Each Sangha Retreat is in a different location and has its own unique energy but every exciting adventure comes with captivating views.

These retreats are all-inclusive, tranquil quests for serenity, and by reserving space at yoga centers six months in advance, Yoga Mandali can keep the price affordable – so instead of travel headaches, participants are able to focus on their inner well-being.

In July, their week-long retreat to the island of Crete, Greece introduced the group to a land of myth and wonder. The trip included a boat tour through the crystal-clear seas, some intense hiking, yoga and meditation workshops.

In August, a weekend excursion to Indian Lake included a full-day of guided white water rafting on the Hudson River, a bonfire gathering, yoga and awareness-building sessions centered around the value and interdependence of all life, responding to cues from the environment, aligning with the Universe, and going with the flow.

For more information, follow Yoga Mandali on Facebook, Instagram, and www.yogamandali.com