Jamaica / Special Interests / Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi other

Jamaica is one of the most spiritually enriching islands in the Caribbean and if you already practice yoga, tai chi, qi-gong, Reiki or any other holistic activity, you’ll find plenty of enchanting places, superb landscapes and seascapes in which ‘to be’. If you are into the healing qualities of water, the rivers are also endlessly fascinating. There are quiet pools beside which you can meditate, springs to drink from and waterfalls in which you can wash away your stress. The trees are magnificent too. There are mahoganies, mahoes and vast kapoks, some of which are a century old and stand over two hundred feet tall.

Jamaica has plenty of accommodation for those that wish to practice yoga and other activities in the company of others. Many of the hotels and inns have programmes with daily sessions in dedicated areas, on the shoreline or surrounded by the island’s magnificent greenery. Others will have a yoga instructor on call who can come in for private sessions. Even some villas will arrange for yoga teachers and complementary health practitioners to come in to work with you. Jamaica also offers yoga retreat weeks. These are normally organised by yoga teachers from overseas, who come down with a group, but there are others which you can join on your own or with friends. Another option is to organise your own retreat holiday. There are several places on the island where this would be possible.

Yoga and holistic activities in Jamaica are available with the following:

Ananda Marga Yoga Centre, Kingston - Founded in India in 1955, Ananda Marga is a social and spiritual organisation. The centre provides yoga, meditation, health instruction and counselling, and runs seminars, retreats and workshops. The organisation also runs a kindergarten in Kingston.

Afya Yoga and Pilates Studio, Kingston - Amrit yoga classes, teacher is co-owner Sonita Morin-Abrahams.

Shakti Mind Body Fitness, Kingston - Originally The Shakti Yoga Center, which was opened in 2000, by a certified Kripalu yoga teacher (1995) and yoga practitioner Sharon MConnell who has practiced yoga for over 15 years. The centre offers a variety of yoga classes in many traditions and levels such as Amrit, with all teachers certified, and includes pilates classes, has a spa which includes reiki therapy and Thai yoga massage, a vegetarian café and a boutique. Shakti hosts workshops, retreats and special events throughout the year, and also run a Yoga for Children programme.

Paul Chang, Jamaica Ananda Yoga, Chukka Cove, St Ann - An Amrit yoga teacher who offers private classes to visitors either at their hotel or private villa, covering the areas between Discovery Bay and Oracabessa.

A number of hotels have programmes and dedicated buildings for yoga and other activities.

Hotels and resorts with yoga and holistic activities in Jamaica include:

KiYara Ocean Spa, Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios - An exotic and very natural looking spa set on the edge of a low sea cliff with stylish wooden treatment huts overlooking the water. The spa offers yoga, aerobics and aqua-aerobic classes

Half Moon Health & Fitness Centre, Montego Bay - The resort’s dedicated fitness centre has regular yoga classes and their yoga instructors are available for private in-room or villa lessons.

Strawberry Hill, Blue Mountains -  It has a yoga and meditation deck with a fantastic view of the Blue Mountains. Also has full spa services.

Tensing Pen, Negril - A very small and calm hotel, a series of thatched cabins in pretty gardens on the Negril cliffs, with a dedicated yoga deck.