Hawaii is known for its lava hot spots, but that’s not what makes Maui a go-to place for yogis. The Hawaiian Islands are the most isolated chain of islands in the world. Traveling here is the ultimate way to escape and reconnect with nature. When we turn down the noise and turn on high quality teaching, a yoga vacation can be a much needed way to get back in touch with yourself.
Be One With Nature In A Tropical Paradise
Connection to ourselves and to the earth we inhabit is something all yogis seek. Maui makes it effortless. Delight in rainbows, waves, waterfalls, hikes, beaches, natural pools and volcanoes. Marvel at whales, dolphins, turtles and unique underwater life. Maui is one of the most magical places in the world. Whether you find yourself snorkeling alongside turtles at South Maui’s Turtle Town or soaking in the quiet country atmosphere of Upcountry, there’s no denying that the wonders of nature are incredibly close.
Live Out Scenes From Iconic Yoga Videos
You’ve pictured yourself doing yoga on a beautiful beach to the music of ocean waves. Visualizing your dream yoga spot is more than just a fantasy when you’re on Maui.
Maui is home to some of the most breathtaking backdrops in the world, including breaching humpback whales in the ocean’s distance, dramatic cinder cones, and remote neighbor islands that create a magical setting for you to experience what you’ve only previously imagined through stories of Hawaii’s past and present.
Reconnect With The Earth As You Walk Barefoot
The warm Hawaiian weather encourages visitors to kick off their slippahs and walk barefoot almost everywhere they go.
BKS Iyengar famously advocated the importance of bare feet in yoga practice. “Once I told them, be in contact with Mother Earth, why are you doing Yoga with socks. Why are you creating a difference [separation] with Mother Earth, on which our lives are dependent?” (source: https://gatelessgate.wordpress.com/ category/bksiyengar-yoga/)
Be A Part Of A Larger Eco-Conscious Community
- In 2011, Maui banned plastic bags at checkout. Paper bags are offered and sometimes discounts are even given to those who B.Y.O.B(ag).
- A growing “off-grid” community of people get their power from the sun and their water from the rain.
- As part of a broader goal to expand renewable energy generation and to cut electricity bill costs, Hawaiian electric companies recently announced plans to triple rooftop solar capacity.
Feel Naturally Fueled by Local Delights
Food is medicine. Luckily, Maui is home to a vast selection of healthy, organic, non-GMO food. In fact, one visit to Hawaii and you may never look at produce the same way again. Enjoy a fresh-picked dragonfruit for breakfast or try a delicious acai bowl from one of the many health-conscious breakfast stops throughout the island.
Coconut is the local rehydration drink of choice, and a pile of coconuts on offer isn’t an uncommon sight. Many Maui visitors are surprised to experience such a wealth of nourishment direct from the Earth.
Train With Master Yoga Teachers In Their Temple
What happens when you combine master yoga teachers with a hidden temple in the jungles of Maui? Perhaps the most transformational and travel-worthy experience the Valley Isle has to offer.
Nicki Doane and Eddie Modestini teach at yoga conferences and events across the globe, but they’ve made their home on Maui. You’d probably recognize Nicki from her series of Vinyasa Fusion DVDs. Join the ranks of Woody Harrelson, Alanis Morrisette, Ziggy Marley, and Michael Franti when you train with these modern masters.
Their Maya Yoga Studio is a hidden gem in tropical paradise. Blessed in person by the late founder of Ashtanga Yoga, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the studio is built of fragrant cedar wood and filled with customized props. Here, your yoga practice is ac- companied by the music of birds carried on the warm trade winds. Perched on Maui’s north shore, the studio offers inspiring views of both the ocean and Haleakala.
Stop by for a class and experience it for yourself!
Find Meditative Magic On Top Of A Volcano
Sun salutations at 10,000 feet? Don’t mind if we do! Haleakala is the world’s largest dormant volcano and recognized in the Hawaiian culture as a sacred site, the perfect destination for your yoga vacation.
Seeing the sunrise or sunset from the summit of Haleakala is one of Maui’s most memorable experiences. Maybe it’s just the thin air, but the “House of the Sun” always offers a sense of true bliss and wonder. It is meditative without even trying and a must experience on your next trip!
