Above Yoga

Since 2017, our experienced team has curated 25+ cultural & wellness group trips across the globe! 🌎
(17)

12/11/2024

A lot of people thought I was crazy to go to Africa when I have an 8 month old at home. But this is my job, my passion and a big aspect of my most fulfilling socialization. I took 14 months off from travel to focus on my home life for a while... But it feels just like riding a bike to be back! 🐘🦒🇰🇪🦏🦁

Just a reminder you don't have to be an either/or, you can be a both/and... Whether that's in your relationships, your work, your community, your side project, whatever lights your soul on fire. You don't always have to give something up to make room for something else in your life.

I'm so appreciative of all the people who made these retreats run smoothly without me for so long, and now my supportive partner and family to help on the home front so I can venture out again and know my baby is safe and loved. If Africa teaches you anything, it's that we are ALL connected and we need each other

And NO ONE thought it was odd when my husband traveled for work after we had a baby. Something to ponder... 🤔

11/25/2024

I often tell people who show up to my classes at the studio or on retreat that they are welcome to stay reclined the entire class if they'd like. It's usually how we start and end class, so everything in the middle is totally optional.

Yesterday, someone in a studio class actually took me up on it! It made me SO HAPPY! He mentioned he really needed to relax and just be with his thoughts (he came with his wife who did want a physical practice) and I told him to feel free to not do any of the poses. So he didn't. It was fabulous to watch him stay in savasana the entire hour. Afterwards he said it was "the best class he'd taken in forever." ❤️

Isn't it funny that it's become radical to be in stillness and with your own thoughts when that is the purpose of a physical practice (to ready the body and mind for a meditation practice)?! Even if people wanted to skip things their egos or the "shoulds" get in the way. In our busy world it takes massive bravery to do NOTHING!

So just know that when I say coming to class on a retreat is optional, doing any of the poses in the class is optional, etc... I really, truly mean it! And I will high five you if you take me up on it! ✋🏼

📸: a staged "savasana" pic after class on retreat in Ireland (2023)! We aim to only take pics of yoga classes with your explicit awareness / opt in!

11/19/2024

In case you're new around here... I'm Anna. I'm the founder and Chief Zen Officer of Above Yoga Retreats.

I started this business in 2016 and led the first 20 retreats myself. So for me, it's been a long and crazy 15 months of sitting on the sidelines and watching others lead and travel to the last 6 retreats while I was having my first baby! This first photo is from the Ireland retreat in September of 2023 and was the last time I led an Above Yoga Retreat myself. I was already 10 weeks pregnant and threw up right before we hiked the Cliffs of Moher (a day for the memory books)! Luckily my husband was there to drag me up this trail. 🤣 🇮🇪

The 2nd pic is a vision board / collage I made at a friend's craft night a few days ago... Guess you can tell what I'm thinking about for the next year. I'm beyond excited that I'm heading back out in the world to lead our Safari + Conservation Retreat in Kenya in just two weeks, and then 4 of the next 6 retreats after that (to the Caribbean, South America and Europe)!!

We are still in the long nights of having an infant (hello never-ending sleep regression), so getting up early to teach yoga or go on a safari or drink coffee with my guests while giving them a run down of the day ahead will truly feel like a vacation (even though I'm often working behind the scenes)! ☕

Thank you thank you thank you to my AMAZING retreat leaders and yoga teachers (and partners across the globe) for ALL the hard work. Just a year ago, I was so worried about retreats happening without me, and look at how well they've gone (at least according to our feedback surveys - 96% of guests have given 5 stars)! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

And now those who have been leaders can relate to the extra stress of being the one in charge of everyone else's vacation! 😉 But it's always always worth it to get the happy hugs at the end of the week and the accolades long after you return home! 🌍

Ready to 🧳➡️ ✈️✈️✈️ ➡️.🛂➡️🇰🇪➡️🦏
And hug this next crew of incredible guests and my long lost friends and partners in Kenya!! 🤗

11/13/2024

We are so excited to announce our next Boutique Retreat to Remote Coastal Panama is official! Our first 2026 retreat to open and it will go on sale at 8 pm tonight. Learn more or grab a spot here: https://www.aboveyoga.com/products/panama-2026

Join Anna next winter: January 25 - 31, 2026 for 7 days + 6 nights of sunshine, thoughtful yoga, lounging by an infinity pool, jungle views, reading on our private beach, and curated local excursions!

We are so excited to partner with Nicole Fitzwater LaFon + InBalance Yoga in Blacksburg, VA for this tropical paradise retreat. The perfect mix of activity, exploration and mindful downtime.

- Group Size: 12-15 Guests
- Luxury Score: 3.5 (out of 5)
- Activity Score: 2.5 (out of 5) - Some Active Tours
- Adventure Score: 3/3.5 (out of 5) - Remote location, Off-the-beaten path tours
- Cuisine: Omnivore (meat + fish offered), Vegetarian / GF avail upon request
- All meals, yoga classes and two full day excursions are included in the price! Optional add ons: massage, additional excursions

From just $2820 per person for triple / quad occupancy and $3120 per person for a double occupancy king suite!

11/09/2024

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain

I'm going to be honest, it feels weird to go back to posting about travel and retreats... when so many of my close friends who are LGBTQ+, women, immigrants, people of color, parents of young children, people with chronic illness and more... feel like their world has been turned upside down.

But as the Twain quote goes, I truly feel that nothing can help us expand our perspective quite like getting way outside of our own bubble. Having community and in the real world / in-person experiences are a way we continue to feel heard, seen and appreciated. Much of my community + support group these days are friends I've made (or strengthened bonds with) during my travels.

So as promised, we will still be opening up two retreats for booking next week as the opening dates had already been announced (Cambodia for Nov 2025 + Panama for Jan 2026).

If you're craving community and a global perspective, reach out. If these trips or our company aren't the right fit for you, we're happy to connect you with leaders of other events or trips or groups who might be an even better fit for your community - whether that's LGBTQ+ led retreats or yoga studios or trainings run by Black women.

You are seen, you are appreciated and you are enough. ❤️ Lean into the people and experiences that remind you of this.

10/11/2024

Looking back on an epic week in Morocco...

The Arabic name for the Kingdom of Morocco is al-Maghrib (المغرب), which translates to "the land of the sunset" or "the land of the west." 🇲🇦

There's something uniquely magical about this land you just can't comprehend until you see it for yourself: the vastness of the desert, the vibrant colors of the markets, the beauty of the Atlas Mountains, the nuanced flavors of the food, the warmth of the welcome (and the sweet mint tea that accompanies it)... And yes, the sunsets are pretty stunning too.

Here are a few more snapshots from the week. 📸🐪🏜️

Want to join this amazing adventure next October? A few spots remain! www.aboveyoga.com/retreats

10/04/2024

And just like that... Retreat #26 is officially in the books! Our group of 15 is flying home today. A week filled to the brim with bucket list experiences in and around the stunning town of Marrakech, Morocco! 🇲🇦🐪🏜️

The culture. The food. The markets. The TEA! But as always, it's really the people who make these retreats special. Thank you to for her fearless leadership and to / and for co-teaching. Thank you to our INCREDIBLE local partners... And last but certainly not least to the amazing group of guests from all over the U.S for diving in head first to this unique corner of the world!

If you followed along this week and thought "dang... That looks incredible!" Good news, the next iteration of our Luxury Retreat to Marrakech Morocco is scheduled for next October and there are a few spots left! https://www.aboveyoga.com/products/morocco-2025

Tag your partner, your bestie or friend who you'd want to explore Morocco with (or come solo - we always get lots of solo travelers)! Yoga optional as always!

09/25/2024

Morocco! 🇲🇦🐪

Our group of 15 guests is headed to the magical Marrakech this weekend. Follow along here to see all their adventures!

To answer a frequently asked question - you do not have to cover your head in Morocco as a tourist (some locals do not either). However we recommend covering shoulders, chest and knees in loose clothing for modesty and to respect the culture and religion. But covering your head can be a great way to beat the sun!

Is Morocco on your bucket list? ✈️🌍

08/26/2024

Our first-ever Yoga + Wine in Rural Portugal Retreat is SOLD OUT a full year before travel. Can't wait to be leading this group of 22 guests next September through the bucolic setting of our new home in Portugal! 🍇🇵🇹☕

If you snagged a spot, jump into the comments to celebrate!!
🥂

Wish you were joining us? Jump on the waitlist and make sure you're signed up for our bimonthly email newsletter so you'll be the first to know when we run this experience again!

08/14/2024

Life comes in waves and in seasons... And for me this most recent chapter has been such a huge departure from the previous few years. Before I took maternity leave, I was coming off the heels of personally running 15 retreats for AYR in a 2 year period. From the Caribbean to Central America to all the way to Africa, Asia and Europe. 🧳🌏

It was a whirlwind and a dream come true. I started Above Yoga Retreats in 2016, ran my first retreat in 2017 and then ran a retreat a year in addition to a "real job." Just a few months before the pandemic I quit my corporate job to run retreats full-time, and, well, that was a pretty rough next 18 months of going nowhere (the business and no travel). 🚫

Then things got moving in late 2021 and demand for travel was back and retreats were selling out left and right. Jackpot! A few years go by and now I have a new hurdle - how do I attempt to have kids and not give up this business I love so much now that it's finally taking off? Especially when I've been so hell bent on doing pretty much everything for the business myself. Well almost a year into hiring help (contracting and training new retreat leaders and outsourcing some admin) and I can say that it's all gone better than I could have possibly hoped! 🖥️ ✈️

What brought all these deep thoughts on? I found my passport in a sad pile of junk in my closet yesterday... When for so long it's lived in a special spot because it needed to be at the ready almost monthly. 🛂

Believe it or not, it's been almost a year since I've used my passport... But it's only a few more months until I lead a group to Kenya for our Yoga + Safari Retreat! And then I'll be heading to the beaches of the Dominican Republic and the beautiful old town of Cartagena, Colombia next spring! 🌎➡️ 🇰🇪 ➡️ 🇩🇴 ➡️ 🇨🇴

I know it'll be hard to leave my sweet baby for the first time, but being home with her these last several months has been and will continue to be an immense privilege. Thank you all for the continued support and loyalty as AYR has morphed and changed. And to all of my retreat leaders, yoga co-teachers, and partners worldwide! I truly truly truly couldn't do it without you! 💕🙏🏼 Thank you!

08/07/2024

Happy hump day! 🐪

As you might know, Morocco is one of our favorite retreat destinations! We've been to the beaches and to the thriving city of Marrakech but one thing you'll always get in Morocco - camels! 🇲🇦

We have another group headed to Morocco at the end of September for camel riding in the desert, shopping in the bustling markets and a trek in the Atlas Mountains! It'll be AYR's 4th Morocco trip!

Sound like your cup of Moroccan mint tea? 🍵 Sign up for our bi-monthly email newsletter to be the first to know when the October 2025 Luxury Retreat to Marrakech Morocco will be open for booking! Newsletter will go out this week (we are sooo close to 500 subscribers, help us get over the hump - see what I did there?? 😉) - link to sign up is on the contact page of the website. www.aboveyoga.com/contact

07/12/2024

On one of our pre-retreat Zoom calls last night, someone said they only do yoga while they are on retreat with us... And you know what? I love that!

**If you've joined us on a retreat but don't consider yourself a big "yoga person" - comment below so others know they are in good company!**

In the same way that you might only bike or swim on vacation, but not at home... yoga does not have to be your whole personality to enjoy a yoga retreat with us! It's only a small portion of the experience.

We have many guests who LOVE yoga and practice regularly and others who practice rarely, if at all, at home. All the yoga practices on retreat are completely optional anyway! Join us a few times or not at all. Your retreat, your choice.

A few yoga moments from recent retreats:
- Cambodia 2022
- Kenya 2023
- Dominican Republic 2023
- Ireland 2022
- Panama 2023

07/04/2024

Went into the archives to find some red, white and blue. 🇺🇲

Ironically, I truly think the most patriotic thing one can do is travel the world. Not only to gain greater perspective, but to try to be a positive ambassador for their own country. Americans don't always have the best reputation abroad (we're known for being friendly, but loud and sometimes tone deaf). 🤣 And, more importantly to remind ourselves what we love and appreciate about where we live (which can sometimes be easy to forget). But also to see first-hand how there are certainly things to be learned from other pockets of the globe.

I hope that while you're enjoying your burgers, hot dogs, flag cakes and sparklers today... Maybe tomorrow you remember there's a lot more to see in the world - and the time to explore it is now! 🌭 🦅🌎 🎇 🍔

📸 Yoga + Culture Retreat to Charming Cambodia (November 2022) 🇰🇭

06/26/2024

One of our most popular experiences opens for booking tonight! Grab your spot for our 2025 Yoga + Safari Conservation Retreat in Kenya tonight at 8 pm ET!

Join us June 22-28, 2025 for an all-inclusive private safari experience on a world-renowned wildlife conservancy! You'll enjoy daily safari drives with our incredible local guides where you can expect to see lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions, zebras, gazelles and more. You'll also meet the last two Northern White Rhinos on Earth (Najin and Fatu) and learn about what's being done to bring back the species, visit a women's spinning and weaving co-op, enjoy cocktails on the Equator and interact with the impressive K-9 anti poaching team.

We're thrilled to have Tom Carroll, one of our long-time retreat teachers and leaders at the helm - this will be his third time leading this retreat - he's our Kenya expert! And - so excited to have .gracie, owner of in Greensboro, NC as a co-teacher to lead many of your on-site yoga classes!

All your meals, drinks (alcoholic and non), excursions, transfers from Nairobi, yoga classes and even laundry services are included! Priced from $5410 per person, double occupancy (which, you know if you've ever looked into the cost of a well-run week long safari, is an incredible value)! Plus our team will be in touch constantly leading up to your trip with helpful reminders, a packing list, assistance with getting your online pre-authorization to enter the country, and more!

You'll just pay a 20% deposit to hold your spot and the rest is not due until March 2025. Link to learn more and book here: https://www.aboveyoga.com/products/kenya-2025

06/25/2024

Our newest retreat Yoga + Wine in Rural Portugal is on sale! Approximately 85% of the available spots sold in the first 5 minutes of our email subscriber pre sale last night. However there are a few spots left!

**𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒕, 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒖𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔!!**

Join us Sept. 6 - 12, 2025! Start your day with an invigorating practice in our peaceful yoga studio. Spend your afternoons exploring the local area with excursions to charming towns in or just taking a dip in our beautiful pool. You'll also enjoy daily farm-to-table meals - much of the food has been sourced off the land where we're staying.

- Group Size: 18 - 22 guests
- Luxury Score: 3.5 (out of 5)
- Activity Score: 2.5 (out of 5) - Some Walking Tours
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
- From $2920 per person

Read up on our website for lots more information, especially the "Trip Tips" section. We'll be in the Ribatejo region of Portugal, only an hour or so from Lisbon, so we highly recommend a stopover there before the retreat! 🇵🇹☀️🍷

https://www.aboveyoga.com/products/portugal-2025

Anna will be back leading and teaching this retreat. We are thrilled to have AYR regulars Tom Carroll and Hunter Barrow as co-teachers!

🇵🇹

06/23/2024

This past Friday was International Day of Yoga. So consider this my better late than never post. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤣

Just taught Sunday morning Gentle Flow and being back on the teaching mat more regularly after my maternity leave feels so good. 💞

I can't wait to be back teaching yoga on our retreats, as there's no place I feel more like myself and one with the world. 🌍

I've been teaching since 2015 and taking my teacher training led to what is now 25+ yoga retreats across the globe. You never know what one little step will lead to. ❤️🧘🏼‍♀️

If you live in the Triangle area of NC, let your friends know that I'm teaching a 5 week prenatal series later this summer and I'll be helping to lead their teacher training program starting this fall!

See you on the mat (or better yet, across the globe - new 2025 retreats opening very soon - exact dates were in the email newsletter last week)!!

- Anna, Owner + Chief Zen Officer, AYR

06/14/2024

Wow! The sun has set on our 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝗴𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁!! 🤯 And 21 of those retreats in just the last 3 years. As I type this, it still seems unbelievable...

And there's no better one for this epic milestone than our Yoga + Safari Conservation Retreat in Kenya. What an incredible place, hosted by some of the best humans on earth. We are so lucky and grateful to all of our partners there. 🇰🇪♥️🌄🦒

Thank you to our incredible leader Tom and co-teachers Margo and Cassie. We all met in our advanced yoga teacher continuing education 300 hour program with and now we've traveled the world together from Europe to Asia to the Caribbean and now Africa. It's hard to believe how chance encounters can lead to all this!!

And for me, it's even crazier to think I've been at home with a 2 month old while a whole crew of other people have come together to make this happen. I've watched it unfold from home just like the rest of you. 🥰 My heart is full. Grateful doesn't begin to cover it.

- Anna, Owner + Chief Zen Officer, AYR

06/12/2024

There's nothing quite like a week in Kenya on safari. It's hard to put into words, so instead we'll put it in a few photos.

Our Yoga + Safari Retreat group has had incredible wildlife sightings, fantastic weather and lots of time to sit back and enjoy the African wilderness. 🇰🇪🐘🦒🦓🦁

We're going two more times in the next year!! Just can't get enough.

Join us next June!! https://www.aboveyoga.com/products/kenya-2025

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