With its focus on inner well-being, yoga is a healthy activity that can be done just about anywhere. But in the Caribbean, this ever-popular form of meditative exercise can take on new qualities when combined with scenic settings and unique elements that are a far cry from a client’s hometown yoga studio.
While basic yoga techniques are pretty consistent around the world, these 10 hotel properties in the Caribbean prove that not all yoga sessions are created equal. Here’s our roundup of 10 of the most unique yoga opportunities in the destination.
Moonlight, Beer and Kids’ Yoga in Aruba
Aruba-bound yoga enthusiasts will find lots of interesting options. Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino, for example, offers a Full Moon Yoga class led by island wellness expert Maria Pucci. The moonlight and gentle sound of the waves provide a decidedly natural backdrop as Pucci guides participants through a series of breathing and stretching exercises. Daytime beach yoga and aerial yoga are also offered at the hotel.
Travelers looking to get their kids into the yoga scene, meanwhile, may want to consider a stay at Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort, which offers children’s yoga every Saturday, as well as hatha flow yoga for adults, which is a gentle version of yoga that’s ideal for beginners.
Even beer enthusiasts can find a way to connect with their inner peace — as well as some new flavors — in Aruba. Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino recently introduced Sunset Beer Yoga sessions, providing participants with an opportunity to experience a yoga class while enjoying beach views and sampling brews from nearby Balashi Brewery.
Dolphin and Flamingo Yoga in the Bahamas
The Bahamas, too, is home to a variety of interesting yoga options. Among the most eye-catching is Flamingo Yoga at Baha Mar. During these sessions, participants are joined by resident “ambassador” flamingos, who — as anyone who has seen one of these colorful creatures knows — are naturally adept at balancing and holding poses. The classes include a hotel team member who is an expert caretaker of the animals.
Those interested in marine life may find joy during paddleboard yoga classes in a 14-acre dolphin habitat at Atlantis Paradise Island, where sessions are guided by both pilates and yoga instructors who teach paddleboarding techniques. The property also offers aerial and sunrise yoga.
Historic Yoga in Barbados
Travelers can explore wellness with a historic vibe when staying at Hilton Barbados Resort. Every Wednesday and Friday morning, the resort’s resident yoga experts lead a session at the 17th-century Charles Fort, which is part of the island’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Oceanfront and Treetop Yoga in the Dominican Republic
Yoga enthusiasts can enjoy impressively diverse views while practicing their craft in the Dominican Republic. In the town of Sosua, The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Norte offers an oceanfront Sunday Yoga Wellness Program that makes good use of the region’s dramatic scenery.
Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda, meanwhile, offers a different perspective for appreciating the country’s natural beauty. Its treetop yoga classes, which take place in a thatch-roof palapa high in a tree, offer a sky-high setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. The resort also offers aqua yoga, sunset yoga, paddleboard yoga and aerial yoga sessions.
Sugar Mill Yoga in St. Kitts
Sugar has historically been an important part of the St. Kitts economy, and Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour honors that tradition with its Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary, which was designed to pay tribute to the island’s original mills from centuries past. Hatha, “rise and shine” and core yoga sessions are available within the venue.
Deep Power and Slow Flow Yoga in Turks and Caicos
Guests at COMO Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos can indulge in an especially extensive array of yoga activities, including deep power, slow flow and restorative yoga classes, as well as private yoga and meditation sessions. Activities take place at the yoga pavilion at the resort’s COMO Shambhala Retreat, which looks out onto the North Caicos channel, providing an inspiring view for a variety of wellness activities.