In Nepal they greet using the words Namaste, meaning “I bow to the divine in you”. For many years the great valley of Kathmandu and the surrounding Himalayan mountain ranges have been a sacred land of deep spirituality. Year after year travellers come to Nepal for meditation, yoga, astrology, retreats and to be with the divine energy of the mighty Himalayas.
I’m writing this guide for those on this exact spiritual path so that you can continue to find solace and refuge in the journey within.
Before you go to Nepal
Money & Insurance Travelling offers a gateway to incredible experiences, but unexpected situations can arise. Our travel insurance and money management partners offer the protection you need while embracing local tourism:
– SafetyWing, for long-term travel insurance that starts at $42 per month.
– Revolut, for managing international payments with ease.
– Wise, for the most affordable currency conversion fees and a virtual card that you can top-up in seconds.
When considering flights, you can utilise platforms like Skyscanner or Kiwi to compare flight costs and identify flights that minimise your carbon emissions. Additionally, if you are able, you can offset your flight’s environmental impact through Offset.
Need to learn a language fast? Try Preply – it’s like Fiverr for language exchange.
Do you feel like taking a tour? Try GAdventures for immersive and sustainable tours. Or GetYourGuide for day tours.
Need a relaxing retreat? Search for meditation, yoga and wellbeing retreats on Tripaneer
Yoga
Sawar Yoga
Sawar Yoga offers a comprehensive range of daily classes including Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga and Pranayama meditation. The centre also offers Astrology readings for those interested in learning more about the study of the motions and relative positions of the planets, sun, and moon, interpreted in terms of human characteristics and activities.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/SYGnQqoHZRDqAd3B6
Website: https://www.sawaryoga.com.np/
Class Schedule: https://www.sawaryoga.com.np/yoga-classes-in-nepal/
Mandala Yoga Studio
(Recently moved to the outskirts of Kathmandu)
Mandala Yoga Studio is a combined yoga studio and spa. The space offers a clean, fully equipped, spacious yoga hall and n attached spa room for massages and treatments.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/5xSRcHLdCfdNZZ796
Website: http://mandalayogastudio.com.np/
Class Schedule: http://mandalayogastudio.com.np/yoga-class-kathmandu
Divine Yoga
Divine Yoga is located on the second floor opposite Hole In The Wall. The studio offers a range of weekly yoga and meditation classes with a focus on Pranayama meditation.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/gXwNBu795qG4T9iP7
Website: https://www.divineyoganepal.com/
Class Schedule: https://www.facebook.com/Divine-Yoga-398804404031399/
Charak Yoga
Charak Yoga offers a variety of yoga classes, including Hatha and Vinyasa twice a day in the heart of Thamel. The studio is spacious and can accommodate larger classes. It is also one of the best-priced studios in Thamel.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/H2MifqHbsNLdXFPH7
Website: https://www.charakyoga.com/
Class Schedule: http://charakyoga.com/schedule/
Sawar Yoga
Sawar Yoga offers a comprehensive range of daily classes including Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga and Pranayama meditation. The centre also offers Astrology readings for those interested in learning more about the study of the motions and relative positions of the planets, sun, and moon, interpreted in terms of human characteristics and activities.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/SYGnQqoHZRDqAd3B6
Website: https://www.sawaryoga.com.np/
Class Schedule: https://www.sawaryoga.com.np/yoga-classes-in-nepal/
Vinyasa Nepal Yoga Studio
Vinyasa Nepal Yoga Studio offers a range of classes including beginners yoga, Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Ashtanga yoga and Yin yoga. They have 4 classes per day and run a yoga for kids class on Saturdays.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/31CX19U8fRcPKcLUA
Website: https://vinyasanepal.com/
Class Schedule: https://vinyasanepal.com/schedule
Pranayama Yoga Studio
Pranayama has 2 studios, one on Patan and one in Thamel. The studios are co-owned by a small group of conscious Nepali investors whose wish was to establish and support a space for the practice of yoga. Daily classes are made up of both yoga and meditation sessions, covering almost all the varieties of practice.
Address Thamel: https://goo.gl/maps/HvMTtt4ErLAQv9nV6
Address Patan: https://goo.gl/maps/6CjdPXJtvfpC2h5D6
Website: http://pranamaya-yoga.com/
Class Schedule Thamel: http://pranamaya-yoga.com/schedule-thamel/
Class Schedule Patan: http://pranamaya-yoga.com/daily-classes/
Sambodhi Yoga
Sambodhi Yoga is located in the southern part of Thamel. This cosy studio is run by a husband and wife who offer 4 yoga classes per day. It maintains a very friendly atmosphere and participants are offered a cup of hot Nepali tea at the end of each class.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/v5L9DByWjwKPQJVf6
Website: https://www.facebook.com/YogiVijaySapkota/
Nepal Yoga Home
Located at the foot of the Nagarjun Forest Reserve and only a stones-throw away from Thamel, this yoga centre is the perfect retreat from the city. The Nepal Yoga Home is a leading training institute popular for those wanting to do yoga teacher training. However, the centre also offers a number of yoga retreats from 2 nights to 1 month. So, if you’re feeling that Kathmandu is becoming a little too chaotic for your liking, I can recommend Nepal Yoga Home as a quiet retreat.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/vYu9m7eJWQxy96Av9
Website: https://nepalyogahome.com/
Meditation
The Art of Living
The Art of Living is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 by the world-renowned philanthropist and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The Art of Living centre offers effective educational and self-development programs, which include breathing techniques, meditation, yoga, and practical wisdom for daily living.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/6aqy9pvpQayzeWoLA
Programs: https://www.artofliving.org/np-en/programs
Kopan Monastery
Kopan Monastery is located nearby the world-famous Boudhanath stupa. It is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery home to 360 monks, lamas, teachers and workers. The centre offers a range of courses on Buddhism and meditation as well as daily Dharma talks from Monday through to Friday at 10:30AM.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/CMvJ5vCZhyqyBNwe7
Programs: https://kopanmonastery.com/courses-retreats/courses/course-calendar
Nepal Vipassana Centre
Vipassana meditation is a form of mindfulness meditation that comes from the original teachings of the Buddha. The Dhamma Shringa Centre is located in Kathmandu.
Programs: https://www.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schshringa
Singing Bowl Meditation
Om Singing Bowls & Healing Hub
Om Singing Bowls and Healing Hub offers singing bowl training and sound therapy. Sound healing treatments can aid in the healing of emotional imbalances, mental illnesses and stress relief.
Cost per session: Varies depending on the duration
Website: https://www.omsingingbowlhealing.com/
Kathmandu Centre of Healing
Established in March 1997, The Kathmandu Center of Healing is the longest-standing registered healing centre in Kathmandu. The centre focuses on the teaching and practice of Tibetan Singing Bowl Therapy along with other practices including Reiki, yoga and meditation.
Cost per session: Varies depending on the duration
Website: http://www.kathmanduhealing.org/
Mandala Yoga Studio
The Mandala Yoga Studio in Thamel also offers sound healing therapy. The sessions run for 60 minutes.
