Top Yoga Teacher Training Destinations in Autumn & Winter
September 8, 2020
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When the heat and excitement of summer winds down, the crisp morning air, colorful leaves, and pumpkin-spice spread their nostalgic feeling over our lives.
A new season is a perfect time for new beginnings. Perhaps you want to immerse yourself in personal growth, or you want to try a new career.
Now might be the perfect time to start a new chapter in your personal and professional life with a yoga teacher training course in some destinations that are simply magical during fall and winter.
But where should you go? In this article, we are sharing some great autumn and winter destination for your teacher training, as well as the things you’ll be able to see during your free time.
Europe
Portugal
Photo credit: Bend it like Buddha Yoga
Beautiful fall foliage, fewer crowds, and gorgeous weather are all waiting for you in Portugal during autumn.
Douro Valley, one of the country’s main wine regions, is spectacular during this time of the year. The vineyards turn red and yellow as the weather changes.
Come winter and the days are still gloriously sunny, although the temperatures might fall to rather cold 3-5C in the cities. For a warmer experience, head to the Algarve, a favorite among travelers wanting to enjoy the winter sun.
Lisbon is also lovely in autumn. One of the sunniest and liveliest cities in Europe, it has become a favorite among travelers and expats. The city seems to constantly reinvent itself and offers plenty of things to do.
If you want to enjoy walks in picturesque cities, spend time by the beach, and taste award-winning wines, Portugal is a great choice for your yoga teacher training program.
Whether you’d be staying on an island or the mainland, the retreats take place in serene venues, with quick access to a variety of activities.
Italy
Photo credit: YOGAMEA
Autumn brings an abundance of mouth-watering produce to Italy, particularly grapes and olives. Head to Tuscany or Umbria for some amazing harvest festivals and wine tasting.
Diminishing crowds also means more affordable prices. By early September and up to right before Christmas, you’ll be delighted by the many options to spend your time in Italy without burning a hole in the budget.
Winters in Southern Italy mean mild sunny days, lovely Christmas Markets and nativity scenes, delicious Italian comfort food, and winter sales.
If you are looking to enjoy pleasant weather, excellent food, and festivals then Italy is a lovely choice for your yoga training.
Not only you’ll enhance your yoga practice, but you’ll do it from beautifully refurbished farmhouses, surrounded by stunning nature. During your time off, you’ll be able to visit historical sites, take long walks on the beach, and learn how to cook delicious healthy food.
»Read more: Top Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Italy
France
Photo credit: RainbowLight Centre for Yoga Art & Science
Glitzy Southern France may be the playground of celebrities, but it’s also an ideal fall and winter destination.
Harvest festivals abound, you can literally swim and ski on the same day, enjoy Christmas Markets, soak up the sunny weather, and be delighted by the stunning scenery.
Southern France is picture-perfect, with its charming villages, fields of flowers, castles, and old farms. If designer boutiques, chic cafes, and gourmet cuisine are what you are after, you’ll find all of that on the French Riviera.
You’ll find yoga teacher training centers located just outside villages, with few or no neighbors, set in peaceful areas, ideal to immerse in the yogic lifestyle. During your free time, you can explore the area on long walks.
Greece
Photo credit: Aegialis Hotel and Spa
The quintessential Greek experience features whitewashed houses, olive groves, and turquoise water.
As the heat of summer starts to wind down and travelers are fewer, the true colors of the Greek culture shine through. Delicious healthy cuisine, rugged terrain, and stunning views will make your heart skip a beat.
The largest of the Greek Islands, Crete is a great choice for a fall or winter yoga teacher training course. Being located very close to Africa, its climate is very mild, making it the perfect winter sun destination. Even in December, there’ll still be warm days (18-20C).
If you’ve always wanted to immerse yourself in the Mediterranean lifestyle, then Greece is the ideal location for your yoga teacher training. The retreats are typically located outside of villages and close to beaches.
»Read more: Top Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Greece
The Americas
Costa Rica
Photo credit: Kula Collective
Costa Rica’s reputation as a tropical paradise precedes it. If you are looking to spice up your training with sun, fun, and surf, then this is the ideal place for you.
While the rainy seasons lasts from May to early December, with the wettest months being September and October, the Caribbean coast, miraculously, enjoys its driest months during autumn.
Now it’s the perfect time to hit some beaches and enjoy water-based activities, too. Autumn does not only come with great weather on the Caribbean coast but if you don’t shy away from some rainfall, it also comes with fewer crowds and low season prices on the Pacific coast.
From December to April, the dry season comes with almost no rain, gorgeous weather, crowds of travelers, and prices to match the popularity.
But no matter when you choose to attend a yoga teacher training course in Costa Rica, there’s something magical about striking a yoga pose while you are in the middle of the jungle, overlooking the glistening ocean.
USA
Photo credit: Harmony Yoga School
While many aren’t looking forward to the end of summer, there are at least two things about the change of seasons to get excited about in the good old USA: fall foliage and pumpkin spice.
Over the next few months, each state will experience its unique view of fall. Since leaves are changing colors at different times in each place, after your training, you can plan for a picture-perfect road trip to follow the spectacle.
As winter sets in, you have a choice between winter sun and powdery snow. But whatever your preference, you’ll be delighted by stunning views, laid-back small towns, and great food.
A great option for yoga teacher training in the USA is Cape Cod. World-class beaches, quaint fishing villages, azure lakes, and classic small-town charm make it a luxury summer destination.
But as the crowds disperse, the best season arrives. Clear blue skies, starry nights, and miles of golden beaches just perfect for long walks are waiting for you. Fall colors explode into bright red, orange, and yellow, the local farmer’s markets are in full swing, and the art galleries exhibit the local talents.
Yoga teacher training retreats are typically located in peaceful places, away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, giving you a chance to explore the area or take day trips during your free time.
Mexico
Photo credit: Yoga Navan
As autumn settles in Mexico, the coastal areas are warm, but inland – and at higher elevations – the temperatures are starting to be quite cool.
As a general rule, even at higher elevations the days will be moderately warm (22C) but the evenings and nights are cold, sometimes the value dropping to near freezing.
When winter approaches, it’s wise to bring some warmer clothes, especially if you want to venture into the cities. If you choose to spent time on the beach, a warmer jacket for the evening is enough.
If you want to do your asanas surrounded by some picture-perfect white-sandy beaches and turquoise sea, taste mouthwatering traditional food, and explore historical places, then a yoga teacher training course in the coastal regions of Mexico is a great choice for you.
The retreats often take place in accommodation close to or right on the beach. During your free time, you can enjoy walks or take a bike ride in the vicinity.
Oceania
Australia
Photo credit: Flow MOcean
Down Under, the seasons are reversed. September to November is springtime, with its joyful come-back-to-life attitude and colors. Garden and flower festivals abound and is the perfect time to start practicing outdoor activities such as surfing, canoeing, or sailing.
From December to February, Australia enjoys the summer season, with sunny days and high temperatures. Places are getting crowded and prices are going up.
Traveling to and within Australia during the shoulder season (spring and autumn) is generally more affordable and less crowded. It’s also the best time to indulge in some personal growth during a yoga teacher training program.
You’ll not only get to improve your practice but also have a chance to stay in the middle of national parks, close to beaches. If you feel like trying something different, give SUP Yoga Teacher Training a go. During your free time, you can walk on the beach, ride a bike, or even try surfing.
Looking to enhance your yoga practice but cannot travel right now? Join an online yoga teacher training course and reap all the benefits from the comfort and safety of your home.