Saint Lucia: Yoga and wellness guide
The Caribbean island of Saint Lucia is a natural choice for wellness, offering yoga, adventure and inspiration galore in equal measure.
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There’s a lot to love about the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia — and that includes yoga and all things wellness.
With a sun-rich tropical environment that’s literally bursting with natural flavours, colours and goodness — over 30 different varieties of mango grow here — it’s the perfect destination for a holiday to rediscover you and to reinvigorate your health and vitality, body, mind and soul.
There’s yoga galore, which you’ll find in pretty much all the big hotels, but there’s so much more to unearth, from the freshest local foods to a meaningful reconnection with nature.
This is a vibrant island that just feels alive, a place where you can snorkel among the coral reefs, hike the iconic Pitons mountain peaks, or fly through the jungle canopy on a hair-raising zip-line ride — about 70% of the island is rainforest. The beaches and the sunsets are pretty memorable too if you just want to take it easy.
Plus it’s a ton of fun: the most impactful thing you’ll experience in your time in Saint Lucia will be the people — warm, vibrant, generous, super-chilled.
Oh yeah, and they love a party here too — from sunset cruises to big festivals, there’s always something going on.
Soul seekers
It’s not hard to roll out your yoga mat in Saint Lucia, with classes all over the island, especially in the major resorts along the coast.
It’s a great place for a morning sunrise practice, and then a sunset class to close the day, all set against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea.
For genuine soul seekers, there’s real, authentic yoga to seek out if you know where to look.
In fact, two of Saint Lucia’s wellness pioneers, husband and wife team Wendell and Marise Skeete, recently set up a boutique yoga hotel, Sol Sanctum, in the north of the island.
The pair have been teaching Art of Living Meditation & Breathwork programmes for more than 30 years.
At Sol Santum, they’ve used this wealth of experience to create the perfect environment for a deeply-enriching getaway, one that nurtures your unique physical and spiritual needs.
The hotel only has eight bedrooms, so it’s a small, intimate and super-friendly home from home, ideal if you’re travelling solo or as a couple.
The large airy studio upstairs runs a schedule of classes through the week, spanning everything from yoga, Pilates and resistance training to breathwork, meditation and Alexander Technique.
There are quite a few intriguing classes to explore as well, including neuro-movement, group healing and conscious movement.
When there are no classes, hotel residents are welcome to stretch out in the studio anytime.
Since 2022, international yoga teachers and instructors of other disciplines have been invited to host classes, special events and retreats in this beautiful space, sharing their skills and wisdom with guests and locals alike.
On Sundays, the Wendells also offer a complimentary weekly group meditation for all and continue with their work for Art of Living Foundation.
As a centre for yoga, meditation and wellness, Sol Sanctum is a smoke-free and alcohol-free property, and serves its own vegetarian breakfasts in the morning, with optional juices and smoothies available, plus an array of spa treatments can also be booked.
Marigot Bay
If you’re after a bit of the Pirates of the Caribbean vibe whilst you’re here, then Marigot Bay has certainly got the look.
Once hailed as the island’s most beautiful bay (it would be hard to disagree!), it was featured in the famous Johnny Depp movies and just exudes that ‘pirate chic’ charm, though now it’s more of a tranquil harbour for luxury yachts.
Dotted along the bay’s hillside is one of Saint Lucia’s five-star hotels, Zoëtry Marigot Bay St Lucia.
This high-end resort, which offers the most sublime views of the bay, has a cavernous yoga deck in its lush gardens where you can enjoy morning yoga and Pilates sessions, or have it all to yourself during the day when it’s quiet.
The property, which operates an all-inclusive concept it calls ‘Endless Privileges’, includes a fitness centre where they can book you in for a fitness consultation, or sign you up for an array of other actives like kayaking or paddle boarding.
The spa here is impressive, featuring Natura Bissé products and an indulgent list of treatments set in unique cabins for individuals and couples, or book a relaxing experience in nature in the private treetop[1]style area.
There’s also a chance to join a class where you can create your own hand lotion or body scrub personalised to your own skin type, while learning about all the local, natural, health-boosting ingredients.
Zoëtry Marigot Bay St Lucia has a range of restaurants, cosy bars and lounges, including its own rum cave, where you can spend the evenings, listening to the cacophony of sound from the whistling tree frogs and other wildlife.
The newly-opened Meraki restaurant, which offers Mediterranean cuisine with an Asian touch, is the new kid on the block though not part of the all-inclusive package.
While it’s perfectly understandable to want to remain put in Marigot Bat, it’s also a great place to explore other parts of the island nearby, including the UNESCO[1]protected Pitons.
These are super popular among hikers, though the smaller Piton is a demanding climb and not recommended for novices. The colourful mineral sediments of Diamonds Falls and the steamy Sulphur Springs geothermal area are also easily accessible from the property, and for the evening, there’s an exclusive sunset cruise to Soufriere.
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
