The Travel Yogi is a specialist in international yoga retreats and yoga adventures and the company has announced late winter and early spring yoga programs in Bali, Maui and El Salvador.

“We are gearing up for a banner 2013 season,” says Jennifer Hoodevik, founder and director. “We are riding the wave of an industry experiencing tremendous growth and we are responding.”

According to July 2012 research by NAMASTA, YIAS and Yoga Journal, it is estimated that 15 million Americans now regularly practice yoga of which 72.2 percent are female. There has been an 87 percent increase on yoga product spending over the last five years and experts estimate that the average annual increase of the number of people who practice yoga is close to 20 percent.

“The Travel Yogi was born out of a passion for yoga and travel” explains Hoodevik. “Our amazing teachers and one-of-a-kind destinations set our trips apart but it is the balance we achieve between wellness and fun that is changing the face of yoga retreats.  Life is about balance, and holiday/retreats should be too.  We eat well, imbibe well and yoga well.”

The Travel Yogi’s spring line-up of retreats includes:

Hawaii
Yoga celebrity Jen Pastiloff will lead her signature Manifestation Yoga assisted by Sommer Dyer during Manifestation Maui Feb. 16-22, 2013. Lumeria Maui is Hawaii’s newest luxury retreat center connecting individuals with the sacred ‘Aina and the mystery of Maui. It is located on the north shore of Maui, between the old plantation town of Paia and the upcountry paniolo (Hawaiian for cowboy) town of Makawao, and surrounded by six acres of tropical, edible and organic gardens. The $1,995 per person rate includes seven nights accommodation, two yoga classes daily and the Manifestation Workshop week with Pastiloff, three vegetarian meals daily and airport transfers. Off-grounds excursions can include kayak tours, horseback riding, a snorkel cruise, surfing and a scenic roller coaster road trip exploring the road to Hana.

Bali
The arts and crafts center of Bali is Ubud, home of Soulshine Bali, a villa complex situated along a river and surrounded by tropical gardens and ornate ponds. An open air yoga studio on the third floor of the main lodge overlooks some of the most spectacular rice terraces, temples and greenest jungle in the world. This is home from March 16-23 of Bali Retreat (with instructor Gigi Yogini) and the famous Bali Spirit Fest (March 20-24). Per person priced tours, cooking and woodcarving classes allow yogis to explore the region and its cultures. The per person rate from $1,475 includes seven nights accommodation, all meals, yoga workshops, massage, a full day ticket to Bali Spirit Fest, airport transfers and more. Participants are encouraged to extend their stay to include the festival.

El Salvador
Surfing and yoga are integral to Yoga Surf El Salvador, a duo always in demand. Guests lodge for seven nights at the Casa de Mar Hotel & Villas at Sunzal on the Pacific. The per person rate starting at $1,750 double occupancy includes accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, three one-hour surf lessons, surf boards for the week, a waterfall excursion, two yoga classes daily, airport transfers and more. Optional tours of Mayan ruins, the jungle and San Salvador are available.  Scheduled for 2013 are: Ashtanga Yoga & Surf with Suni Apter (Jan 19 – Jan 26); Ride the Waves with Heidi Kristoffer (Feb. 23 – March 2) and All Bend and a Little Break retreat with Danielle & Shuli (March 9 – 16).

Although yoga is the focus, each location offers such optional activities as surfing, cultural excursions and hiking. Guests can generally expect two yoga sessions offered per day with the possibility of additional yogic training and philosophy.  Some teachers may choose to lead a pranayama, meditation, sutra or style specific workshop. These retreats stay at one specific retreat location and have specific rooms or spaces designated and designed for yoga.

A list of international and domestic destinations for 2013 include but are not limited to Aruba, Galapagos, El Salvador, Santorini, Maui, Cabo, Tulum, Queenstown, New Zealand and Vermont.

The Travel Yogi, www.thetravelyogi.com