CheekyChicago

It’s about that time of year when we just need something to look forward to. We shopped and ate our way through the holidays and have lighter wallets and tighter pants to prove it. We braced ourselves for the snowmaggedon and thundersnow that never was, and we watched the groundhog emerge from his burrow only to become slightly confused by the balmy temps. Escaping to sandy beaches may be all you’re fantasizing about right now, but add a little yoga to the mix and you’ve got yourself a soul-shifting and rejuvenating peace pause. So we saved you the groundwork and found some pretty Cheeky yoga vacations that are worthy of your mid-winter daydreams. Grab a girlfriend, or all your girlfriends, and get your om on while you surf the waves, drink tropical cocktails, hike through the rainforest, star gaze at the open sky or roam the Italian countryside. Grab your mat and brace yourself for a life-changing, transformative reboot to wellness.

For the Eco-Cheeky Yogi:

Costa Rica Yoga Adventure with Erica Merrill and Jesse Hozeny

March 24-March 31

Montezuma, Costa Rica

You’ll stay at Hotel Los Mangos, a favorite of backpackers and eco-tourists. Located on the Pacific Ocean between a string of beaches and just south of the coastal jungle, this eco-retreat is led by Chicago-based yoga teacher Erica Merrill and DJ Jesse Hozeny. You will practice yoga daily in a thatched-roof pavilion overlooking the water while listening to live music. Free time can be spent surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding, hiking in the nearby Cabo Blanco National Park, exploring scenic waterfalls or just chilling on the pool or beach. If you’d like to get a taste of the local flare, you can visit the farmers market and store your fresh organic veggies and fruits in the fridge in your bungalow.

Cost: $1450 per person, double occupancy. Includes daily yoga classes, daily breakfast and two dinners.

For more information: www.costaricayogaadventure.com.

For the Exotic Yogi Who Travels in Cheeky Style:

Yoga Retreat with Tom Morley

April 19-April 24

Yasawa, Fiji

Escape to paradise (an all-inclusive luxury retreat in the South Pacific) with one of LA’s most celebrated Yoga instructors, Tom Morley. You’ll stay at Navutu Stars, a small luxury boutique resort that spreads along three bays in the Yasawa Islands, where you’ll experience one of the most stunning landscapes of the world. Voted one of the “Sexiest Resorts in the World”… it doesn’t get much Cheekier than this, folks. You’ll dine on three gourmet meals a day, practice yoga twice a day with Tom, explore the scenic hiking trails, snorkel or scuba dive in one of the most uncontaminated reefs in the world, kayak, fish, paddle surf or lay on the white sandy beach and do absolutely nothing.

Cost: Starts at $2900 per person, based on double occupancy.

For more information: www.tomsretreats.com.

For the Cheeky Yogi with Little Time and a Big Sense of Humor:

Yoga & You Retreat to Tropical Tulum with David Romanelli and Vyda Bielkus

May 2-May 6

Tulum, Mexico

The ever-so-charming and always hilarious David Romanelli is leading a retreat at Amansala Resort in spiritual and tropical Tulum. Home to the ancient Mayan culture that is of much talk these days, Tulum’s Mayan ruins are a short drive away from the resort. After sightseeing, long naps on the beach or swimming in the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, you can lounge on a hammock overlooking the starry sky. To add a little Yang to your Yin, David and Vidya will start and end your day with flowing, inspirational Vinyasa classes that will reawaken your senses and spirit, evoke your sense of humor  and undoubtedly leave you in a state of pure bliss.

Cost: Starting at $1075 per person. Includes all meals, beachside accommodations and yoga.

For more information: www.yeahdave.com.

For the Wanderlustin’ Yogi with Cheeky Dance Moves

Wanderlust Vermont

June 21-24

Stratton Mountain Ski Resort

Bondville, Vermont

Wanderlust Colorado

July 5-8

Copper Mountain Resort

 Copper, Colorado

Wanderlust California

July 26-July 29

Squaw Valley Resort

North Lake Tahoe, California

Wanderlust Whistler

August 23-August 26

Whistler Resort

Whistler, BC, Canada

Wanderlust is really the ultimate summer getaway – what I like to think of as overnight camp for Yogis. The world famous Wanderlust is now fours separate festivals… all eclectic and headlined by some of the most famous and celebrated yoga instructors and healers in the world. Whistler was just added to the lineup this week! Top players like Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, John Friend, Baron Baptise, Rodney Yee, Anne Marie Kramer, Sara Ivanhoe, Sarah Tomson Beyer and even Deepak Chopra will be headlining the festivals. By day, Wanderlust is a yoga retreat with class after class, and by night a jamming music festival featuring performances by artists such as Ziggy Marley, Ani DiFranco, Beats Antique and MC Yogi. Healthy vegetarian food, retail bazaars, a wellness village, gorgeous day hikes in the mountains, inspirational and educational lectures and mingling with fellow like-minded Wanderlusters are all in a days’ fun. You can work it out on your mat for up to three classes per day in just about every and any kind of yoga you can imagine, and dance the night away at the high-energy concerts. You will zen out… then rock out.

Cost: Tickets start at $365 for a three-day festival pass. Discounted pricing available until Feb 21.

For more information: www.wanderlustfestival.com.

For the Yogi by Day and Cheeky Gourmet by Night

Italian Yoga and Wine Retreat with Ame Wren and David Regelin

September 1-8

Sabina, Italy

Famed Boston yoga teachers Ame Wren and David Regelin are treating lucky yogis to a seven-day trip to the Italian countryside. This retreat was designed for more seasoned yogis (who have had at least one year of steady practice), and will provide an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of alignment and poses. But the retreat won’t be all work and no play; the afternoons will be filled with roaming the surrounding hills and olive groves, lounging poolside, relaxing by way of massage and even a day-trip to Rome. Wine and olive oil tastings, and unlimited homemade Italian food will give you plenty of reason to hit the mat twice daily.

Cost: $1800 per person. Includes all means in Sabina, yoga and lodging.

For more information: www.amewren.com.

Kick boredom and stagnancy to the curb. With so many Cheeky transformative experiences out there, it seems that this will be a year filled with spiritual growth, renewal and life-changing healing. 2012 isn’t looking like the end of the world after all.