How far would you travel in pursuit of inner peace? Though the wellness industry has grown in popularity for quite a while, he business skyrocketed post-pandemic, with more and more travelers booking yoga retreats in the name of serenity, spirituality and, of course, self-care. When I decided it was zen I sought, I figured I should travel to its very birthplace: India. Though the idea of traveling in India initially felt more exciting than relaxing, I found the contrast between the bustling activity outside and the quiet reflection of my yoga practice to be an intoxicating combination.

Yoga was invented 5,000 years ago in northern India, so I set out for a week-long trip to New Delhi, the nation’s capital. I split my time between the glamorously modern The Leela Palace New Delhi and the old-world splendor of The Imperial, both offering dedicated and immersive yoga programs for guests. While I spent my days exploring the temples and markets of the city, my mornings and evenings centered around the breathwork and meditation exercises of a newly devoted yogi. The juxtaposition of the vibrant, colorful Indian capital and the peaceful reflection of my yoga practice resulted in a transformative trip I’ll never forget.

PHOTOS: © LEELA PALACE NEW DELHI

I started out at the magnificent New Delhi outpost of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, a luxurious 5-star hotel group in India with a focus on ancient wellness and modern elegance. India can overwhelm the first-time visitor; and although I experienced love at first sight upon landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, the decadent hospitality of The Leela Palace provided a welcome respite after a day of navigating an unfamiliar land. I practiced yoga on the spa’s terrace, where gurus assist guests in cultivating their personal wellness goals and accommodate varying levels of skill and ability. These rejuvenating sessions incorporated Hatha and vinyasa flow alongside pranayama (an ancient breath technique) and meditation.

PHOTO:
© IMPERIAL NEW
DELHI

In the words of Reymond Page, “Waking up in India is like waking up to life itself,” and those morning sessions helped energize me for a day spent exploring. I continued my yoga ritual when I headed south to Connaught Place to check in at The Imperial New Delhi. A leafy oasis of manicured lawns and sparkling pools in the middle of the city, this hotel boasts one of the best spas in the world and a new Yoga Sanctum that opened just before my arrival. The Imperial’s wellness philosophy centers on mudra, curated to balance the body, mind and soul. The 900-square-foot sanctum offers private teaching, workshops and retreats, all hosted by on-site yoga masters.

I opted for the daily bespoke yoga sessions and found they slowly transformed me by the end of the week. I’d never been a very masterful yoga student; and though I noticed my flexibility and posture improved over the course of the trip, the main shift occurred in my outlook. You don’t need to be an expert to benefit from the calm reflection yoga provides, and the daily routine offered moments of perspective and gratitude I may otherwise not have enjoyed during the day-to-day whirlwind of my visit. (Oftentimes, one only realizes the impact of a journey afterward on the flight home or looking at photos months later.) Yoga helped me live fully in the moment. Maybe sometimes you have to travel very far away and exist in stillness in a foreign land to come home to yourself.

INFO TO GO
When you arrive in New Delhi, you will land at the busiest airport in India and the largest aviation hub in South Asia. Direct flights to Indira Gandhi International Airport originate in five U.S. cities: New York (JFK); Newark (EWR); Chicago (ORD); San Francisco (SFO); and Washington, D.C. (IAD). American Airlines offers daily service from JFK, while United Airlines operates the rest of the flights in conjunction with Air India, a Star Alliance partner airline. The airport lies only a 20- to 30-minute drive from downtown New Delhi, and you’ll find taxi stands in the car parking areas of terminals 1, 2 and 3. Rental cars are also an option, but driving in India is not for the faint of heart. Uber provides another alternative, as the rideshare app operates in New Delhi, and pickup zones are located in every terminal.