9 soulful yoga destinations to explore this International Yoga Day

Each year on June 21, the world pauses, if only briefly, to acknowledge the ancient discipline of yoga—a practice that bridges the physical, mental, and spiritual. For those seeking more than a gym-bound stretch or a social media-worthy pose, International Yoga Day 2025 offers an invitation to deepen that connection in places where yoga is not merely practised but fully lived. Inspired by journeys curated by Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, here are nine destinations where the land, culture, and spiritual energy create space for contemplation and renewal. From the banks of the Ganges to the misty forests of Thailand, these are places where yoga becomes more than movement—it becomes a way of being. (Image: Canva)

1. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – Where the Himalayas Whisper
Tucked into the foothills of the Himalayas and divided by the sacred Ganga, Rishikesh is not just a destination—it’s a spiritual portal. Ashrams like Parmarth Niketan offer immersive studies in Hatha and Ashtanga yoga, beginning with morning mantras and river mist. At dusk, the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat is not a spectacle but a soulful release, as floating lamps drift downstream in silent prayer. (Image: Canva)

2. Goa – Stillness Beneath the Surface
Beyond its festivals and vibrant nightlife, Goa awakens differently at dawn. Along serene beaches like Patnem and Mandrem, yoga flows in sync with ocean tides. At Morjim, Sand Yoga challenges your balance as wind and salt air test your breath. In these quieter corners, yoga becomes elemental—anchored in the rhythm of sea and sky. (Image: Canva)

3. Kerala – The Healing South
In Kerala, yoga is part of a holistic wellness journey. Mornings in Munnar begin in garden clearings scented with tea leaves. In Alleppey, houseboats glide through backwaters as floating sanctuaries for pranayama and meditative flow. In Kochi, Kalari Yoga channels the spirit of Kerala’s ancient martial arts, fusing breath with dynamic movement. (Image: Canva)

4. Karnataka – Discipline and Discovery
Mysore is the global home of Ashtanga Yoga, where sunrise practices are precise, challenging, and rooted in lineage. In contrast, Coorg’s forested calm nurtures a slower, reflective rhythm. Meanwhile, Hampi’s ancient ruins set the stage for an archaeological stillness—where movement between asanas echoes the timelessness of stone and spirit. (Image: Canva)

5. Pondicherry – Where Thought and Spirit Meet
Pondicherry blends colonial grace with quiet introspection. At the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Integral Yoga extends beyond the body into self-enquiry and inner awareness. Nearby Auroville fosters communal sessions that merge yoga with sound healing and mindful dialogue. It’s a place to be present—not perform. (Image: Canva)

6. Nepal – Stillness in the Shadows of Giants
Beyond its trekking trails, Nepal offers sacred silence. In the Kathmandu Valley, yoga pairs seamlessly with temple visits, each movement echoing centuries-old geometry. Pokhara’s lakeside views and Himalayan backdrop offer serene spaces for sunrise meditations. For the intrepid, Everest Base Camp Yoga Treks combine altitude with introspection, revealing how stillness must sometimes be earned. (Image: Canva)

7. Sri Lanka – Coastlines and Consciousness
From Kandy’s canopied hills to the southern shores of Mirissa and Ahangama, Sri Lanka offers diverse terrain for inner work. Practice beneath ancient Bodhi trees or along beaches where morning flows greet the rising sun. It’s a land where the wildness of nature mirrors the awakening within. (Image: Canva)

8. Thailand – Between Forest and Temple
Thailand’s wellness culture runs deep. Retreats in Koh Samui, Phuket, and Chiang Mai integrate yoga with Thai massage, herbal detoxes, and silent reflection. Sessions take place under temple roofs, in wooden Thai homes, or even forest monasteries. In the north, silent retreats offer a rare chance to simply be—without expectation or instruction. (Image: Canva)

9. Indonesia – Islands of Introspection
Bali, particularly Ubud, has become a haven for seekers. Amid rice paddies and banyan groves, daily practices blend Hatha yoga with ritual and ceremony. Evening sound baths and purification rites add depth to movement. On Java, sunrise yoga near Borobudur—a UNESCO heritage site—grounds the breath in ancient stillness. (Image: Canva)

These retreats—chosen not for trend, but for their power to quiet the noise and reconnect the self—offer more than postcards or itineraries. They invite stillness. They honour breath. And most importantly, they remind us that the journey worth making this International Yoga Day may not be outward—but inward. (Image: Canva)