Practicing yoga is such a wonderful privilege and it truly doesn’t get better than booking yourself onto a retreat and really getting in touch with Mother Earth.

Malaysia is a beautiful choice for a yoga retreat. Its hot, humid weather is perfect for sweating it out, whilst its incredible native flora and fauna will leave you wide eyed in amazement. Although it’s hard to imagine a poor yoga retreat in Malaysia, these are some of the most beautiful ones.

The Budget Option

Whilst a yoga retreat in San Fransisco can set you back thousands of dollars, you’ll be amazed what your money can get you in Malaysia! From under $100 per night you can stay in a secluded forest and receive top quality tuition, as well as healthy food at every meal.

Do bear in mind that one unusual supersition from Malaysia is to never sit on a pillow (they say your bum will become covered in boils!). Now when it comes to bedtime, that’s no problem at all, but in some yoga positions, it can be really helpful to have a pillow to prop up your lower back. Maybe it would be best to remember to switch to a rolled up towel on this retreat.

Yoga Tree specialises in short stay yoga retreats, usually for just two or three nights. If you’re also into travelling then this can be a great way to recharge at the end of an adventure. Held in Serendah, a picturesque town just outside Kuala Lumpur, you’ll receive guided meditation and yoga sessions each day as well as a healthy and organic, vegetarian meal.

As well as this, you can take part in activities which make the most of the natural surroundings. Take part in a forest walk through the lush rainforest, looking out for butterflies, brightly coloured birds and even monkeys. If you’d prefer even more relaxation then take yourself up to the mountain tops and enjoy some time in perfect seclusion.

The Mid Range Option

Yoga practitioners, Meng Foong and Marc have been teaching yoga in each other’s company since 2007, just two years after they decided to set up their own retreat in Lengkawa. They offer many different options depending on the type of retreat you are looking for. Their nature discovery and yoga retreat is particularly beautiful as it takes in some incredible rainforests.

One of the nicest things about this retreat is how small the location is, very often you might be one of only two or three people on the retreat, meaning that it can be a real time for introspection. The setting is therefore incredibly peaceful and the owners do everything possible to facilitate great practice for those who are serious.

As part of their programme you will get to visit a Mangrove forest. A boat will collect you and take you through Langkawi’s incredible mangrove trees, allowing you to take in the glory of this UNESCO Geopark.

No Expense Spared

Often the expensive yoga retreats can consist of quite a lot of delicious food, perhaps a little too much pampering time and maybe not quite enough yoga!

This retreat is absolutely different. For serious yogis only, the World Yoga Association offers a 14 day programme which will enable you to become a certified instructor. Over the course of the 14 days you’ll undertake 100 hours of guided practice in some of the most stunning natural landscapes.

As well as physical practice, you’ll learn all about yogic life, asana, meditation, pranayama breathing techniques, mantra chanting and a whole host of other wonderful things. A healthy and delicious vegetarian menu is provided along with traditional cooking classes; a fascinating experience and wonderful touch that allows you to recreate some of the magic once you’re back home.