Soul Circus, Cotswolds
Launched last year, Soul Circus offers a programme of yoga and pilates, plus live music, DJs, healthy food supplied by local farmers and thought-provoking talks. There’ll be classes from aerial to blindfold yoga, workshops on topics such as the science of happiness, and the chance to chill in the spa with holistic treatments and lakeside hot tubs. It’s held at picturesque Elmore Court near Gloucester, and the gardens and woodlands are the setting for light shows and parties held long into the night.
• 17-19 August, tickets £189, soulcircus.yoga
Yoga in the Alps, Austria
Austria’s Gastein valley comes over all yogic from 25 May to 3 June with the Breathe the Mountains spring yoga programme – now in its second year. This is one of the biggest yoga events in Europe, with around 40 teachers leading over 300 sessions, many in English and held by waterfalls or lakes, surrounded by mountain scenery. Accommodation is in guesthouses (or four-star hotels) in Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein or Dorf Gastein, and participants create their own yoga and meditation itinerary. The area is known for thermal spring-fed lakes, great for a soak after class. There’s also an autumn event, with dance, singing and cooking classes (12-21 October).
• From €198pp B&B for four nights with a three-day pass for all public yoga sessions, flights extra, yoga-gastein.com
FloVibe, Hampshire
With the slogan “Where retreat meets festival’ FloVibe aims to create a celebratory party atmosphere with wellbeing at its heart. Launched in 2017, and held in the beautiful surroundings of Stansted Park, it includes plenty of music and after-dark revelry (unlike at some such festivals, alcohol is sold) plus a full programme of yoga classes, workshops, talks and spa treatments. There are games, crafts and special classes for children, too.
• 10-12 August 2018, tickets with camping from £125, flovibe.com
Envision Festival, Costa Rica
Envision is a four-day wellbeing and music festival held on a beach on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast with the rainforest as a dramatic backdrop. There’s a big focus on yoga: classes run all day in two ‘yoga temples’, with top teachers from around the world. Expect workshops on anything from permaculture to natural remedies and astrology, while music – across four stages – will be provided by the likes of singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd and techno giants Audiofly. There are pre- and post- festival tour options available too, exploring this beautiful, lush country.
• 22-25 February, tickets $282, envisionfestival.com
Wanderlust Festival, various locations
First held in Squaw valley, California, in 2009, Wanderlust festivals combine yoga and meditation led by renowned teachers with live music, outdoor activities (from surfing to guided hikes) and talks by inspirational speakers. There are nine four-day festivals this year, mostly in North America (from Oahu, Hawaii, in March to Whistler, Canada, in August) but also in Mexico and New Zealand, as well as various one-day events. Expect lots of flexible bodies in glitter and Lycra, as well as a beautiful natural setting.
• Tickets from $520 for Wanderlust Oahu, 1-4 March, wanderlust.com
