Not able to take that yoga retreat to India this year?  Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.  Ditch your passport and opt for a domestic retreat right in your own backyard (okay, so you might have to drive a few miles)! We’ve scoured the nation in search of authentic, off-the-beaten-track yoga sanctuaries that won’t break your bank (or your back)! Release your inner yogi and check out our list of go-to Namaste getaways. 

Price legend:

Sat Nam Yoga Spa

Hurleyville, NY

$-$$$

Less than two hours from the hectic hustle and bustle of Manhattan awaits this private, holistic yoga getaway in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Sat Nam operates not only as a yoga studio that welcomes drop-ins and daily visitors, but doubles as a bed and breakfast. By renovating a turn-of-the-century barn, Sat Nam now offers both rooms and apartments for rent on their sprawling estate.  Restore your wellness through meditation in their tranquil gardens, calm your body with flotation spa therapy, or simply gather for daily group Kundalini yoga in the studio.   

Mountain Light Sanctuary

Barnardsville, NC

$-$$

Nestled in Pisgah National Forest of North Carolina lies a real-life version of Swiss Family Robinson, inclusive of tree houses and rustic shelters all perched above the tandem creeks that run through this lush mountain retreat.  Electricity is optional, so prepare for life unplugged during your stay.  

The Yoga Lodge on Whidbey Island

Greenbank, WA

$-$$

This serene escape features a tranquil outdoor sauna, manicured orchards and community nature trails that have been carved out of the estates 10 lush acres.  A resident chef who is seasoned in the art of organic and vegetarian cooking provides meals to all guests of the lodge throughout the week.  Specializing in therapeutic yoga/Ayurveda, The Yoga Lodge offers both private and group sessions, along with other personalized retreat options.

Pleasant Valley Sanctuary

San Juan, CA

$

PVS is a permanent home to a small and secluded community of off-the-grid yogis who live and breathe the practices of Paramhansa Yogananda.  Informal stays for personal yoga retreats are welcomed, with your choice of tent, shared cabin, or main house accommodations (includes all meals).  This Sierra Nevada foothills sanctuary is perfect for a quick getaway either solo or with friends. 

Rolling Meadows Yoga & Meditation Retreat

Brooks, ME

$$$-$$$$

Don’t let the price tag turn you away; this retreat ranks as one of the most breathtaking escapes you will ever experience.  Offering a yearly schedule of small group yoga retreats in a fully restored 1840’s New England farmhouse is only one of its many charms.  With over 100 acres to explore, this exquisitely manicured property is truly a work of art.  Spend well-needed and uninterrupted time in the natural world during a yoga retreat at this stunning, mid-coast Maine sanctuary.

Song of the Morning Ranch

Vanderbilt, MI

$-$$$

Unplug and unwind at this spacious haven along the Pigeon River of Northern Michigan. This stunning yoga oasis offers a variety of lodging accommodations, all of which are inclusive of two meals a day, access to all yoga rooms, and participation in outdoor adventures within the 800 acre property.  Yogis flock to this site year-round to embrace the majestic surroundings of the forest and to indulge in the quiet, spiritual space of the ranch.   

Shoshoni

Rollinsville, CO

$-$$

Experience the grandeur of the Colorado Rookies – nearly 10,000 feet in the sky – at Shoshoni, a Shambhava yoga retreat.  Pitch a tent, book an eco-cabin, or bunk dorm-room style during your stay at this mountain haven and enjoy the serenity of its unspoiled landscape.  Daily yoga classes are held outdoors on the wraparound deck or in the Yoga Mandir studios.     

The post Go-To Namaste Getaways appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Your bedroom should be a place of ultimate relaxation, but with life as a busy mom, that isn’t always the case. It’s not always practical to do a complete remodel of your room just to make it more relaxing, but if you step back and think about each of your five senses, you can find small changes that can make a big difference.

SIGHT

Sight is possibly the most important sense to consider when creating a relaxing environment because it is often the most overwhelming sense.  Since it is such an important one, I am going to break it up into beginner, intermediate and advanced.

Beginner Tip: If you don’t want to invest a lot of money into this project, no worries! One of the biggest things that you can do to create a more welcoming and relaxing environment is completely free; organize. It is nearly impossible to relax when you are surrounded by clutter. If a total reorganization seems overwhelming, break it in to reasonable sized tasks and tackle this project over several days.  This may not be the most tip fun but trust me, it will make a huge difference!

Intermediate Tip: If you are looking to make a bigger change, start thinking about color! Studies have proven time and time again that color plays a serious role in your mood. There are two main schools of thought for selecting colors for rooms. The traditional route is to focus on soothing, cool colors like blue and purple for your bedroom. Your other option is to pick colors that really make you happy. If you hate the “cool” colors but green is the color that make you happiest, you will be a much happier person in a green room than you will ever be in a purple room. However you select the right color for you, bring that color in with a coat of paint, a new throw blankets or even just some fun candles!

Advanced Tip: I decided to make this tip the advanced tip because it could require a new piece of furniture or, even more major, a change in behavior. GET RID OF TV. I know some of you might be staring at your computers, shocked that I would ever write such a thing, but hear me out! We are constantly surrounded by our TVs, computers, phones, tablets and every other screen that we possible can. There is something to be said for having one room in your house that isn’t “plugged-in” 24/7. A room where you can relax with a book or even just your thoughts. If the thought of no TV at all in the bedroom is too drastic, try putting it somewhere where it can be completely covered up, like in a hutch or cabinet. Just having the ability to make all of the screens disappear can do wonders on the atmosphere of the room!

SOUND

An easy way to create a more peaceful environment is through sound. There are whole CDs, apps and websites dedicated to relaxing sounds. You will be amazed at the difference soothing sounds can have on your ability to fall asleep quickly, relax more fully, or meditate more deeply. My favorite way to fall asleep is listening to raindrops fall, but now I get to listen to it regardless of the weather!

TOUCH

The key to making your tough sense tingle is different for every woman. Think of what texture makes you happiest, is it silk? Faux fur? Flannel? Whatever the texture, try to incorporate that in as many places as possible; bed sheets, blankets, pillows and even pajamas! Looking for a different way to incorporate touch? You can’t go wrong with some massage oils!

SMELL

For me, there is no better scent than warm notes of vanilla. I have vanilla candles, lotions and perfume! Figure out the smell that makes you most relaxed and run with it. If you need a starting place try lavender, chamomile, sandalwood, or jasmine, as they are all known for being calming. Investing in an essential oil diffuser is great way to make sure that your favorite sent surrounds you from the moment you walk into your room!

TASTE

Finally, how do you incorporate taste into your bedroom sanctuary? There is something to be said for a well-stocked bowl of dark chocolate! 

So remember, if you tune in to all five of your senses you can create a bedroom sanctuary in no time!

The post Use your senses to turn your bedroom into a sanctuary appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.