This summer I've been exploring Eco Communities and Ashrams in Central Italy, and I'm actually surprised of all the offer I found.
- Citta' Della Luce, Senigallia: it's an eco community based Reiki principles. located aroind a traditional Italian country house on top of a hill, and surrounded by olive trees and sun flower fields. Gorgeous and very inspiring. They offer regular workshops such as Usui Reiki, family constellations, and permaculture. They also offer Yoga classes every week, for guests only. Communal meals, delicious abundant food.
- Tribe Wanted Monestevole, Perugia: it's a 40 hectare farm working to become completely self-sufficient, they offer excellent hospitality options in terms of dining, lodging,and atmosphere. They invite all their guests to get involved in the activities of the farm and in the kitchen. They offer regular Yoga classes and workshops as part of their program, but for guests only. Communal meals, delicious abundant food. Very inspiring.
-Ananda Ashram, Assisi. On top of a hill behind the town of Assisi, this Ashram follows the teachings of Yogananda, who was the first great master of yoga to make his home in the West, coming to the U.S. They offer a regular program of yoga, meditation, kirtan, and satsang for guests staying few days. The Yoga classes are very gentle and meditative. Communal meals, delicious abundant food. Very inspiring.

As a newcomer to Shanghai, and one whose Chinese vocabulary does not span much further than “Ni hao,” I was in a bit over my head trying to navigate the huge city when I first arrived. Within the first week, however, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there is a very friendly, welcoming English-speaking expat community, many of whom are eager and active yogis. I would quickly find out that there are tons of yoga studios scattered all around Shanghai, the vast majority of which offer classes in Chinese, English, and mixed languages. As a result, I decided that a great way to explore the city and meet more of these English-speaking yogis would be to embark on a free trial tour of Shanghai’s numerous studios.
            During my tour, I have come across a number of fascinating people and classes. Of the studios I have tried out, my favorite have been Red Door, Y+, and Yoga Space.
- Red Door yoga is a tiny studio that offers only Ashtanga classes, all of which are taught by the studio’s owner, Rob. While Red Door might be a bit pricey, the classes are tons of fun and Rob is a great guy.
- Y+ has three separate locations across Shanghai, and each one is very nice. The Y+ studios are probably the biggest in Shanghai, fully equipped with spacious locker rooms and multiple studio spaces. While Y+ has arguably the best facilities in Shanghai, it is also among the most expensive.
- Yoga Space: this is my favorite studio in Shanghai, maybe because I have spent the most time there, so my opinion might be a bit biased in that regard. Taking advantage of a new promotion aimed toward increasing the number of male members, I was able to prolong my free yoga tour of Shanghai with a free month at Yoga Space, and it was fantastic. Although the facilities are not as big as Y+, which causes classes to feel a bit cramped at times, the quality of the classes is always high due to their wonderful staff. But beyond the classes and the teachers, Yoga Space also offers a beautiful little lounge area outside the classes where it is common to find everyone sitting, or laying, as they sip tea and chat with their fellow yogis. And if you are not lucky enough to have a free month offer at your disposal, membership prices are very reasonable.
            But while Yoga Space might have been my favorite studio, there could very well be another one out there for you. What is important to know is that Shanghai, with its vast array of yoga studios and enthusiasts, has all your yoga needs covered. And if you play your cards right, you might not even have to pay for it.

Thanks to Jon Saft for this great contribution to The Yoga Trail!

MUMBAI. I didn't see any yoga offers in the centre- Colada or Fort - but I checked 3 places:
- K I Yogic Health Centre, along Marine Dr:  they don't offer drop in classes, only a complete health program lasting several weeks, and including Ayurveda. Facilities are not so clean.
- The Yoga Institute, near Santa Cruz, again no drop ins, only long term students/ patients.
- Iyengar Yogasharya: excellent! $3 drop in class, and  as expected  a great focus on alignment. 20 min cub ride from centre, near Lower Parel Station.  Their main ashram, where he  lives, is in Pune. I may go there later on my way back.
SOUTH GOA.There's a lot of yoga offer, more pricey, more touristy.
Agonda Beach. I was sick and I didn't practice but
- there's a Christian institute that offers ashtanga n vinyasa drop ins for $8, and a YTT.
- Vinyasa yoga classes on a platform in front of the ocean, $7 drop in.
Palolem Beach. At Bakti Kutir Resort there's a Swami teaching Hatha Yoga 3 times a day for different levels, he's good n funny with his Indian accent. $4 a class.
Patnem Beach. Hatha Yoga with Swami Shivananda: excellent. He was trained by his guru in the forests of the Himalaya. Beautiful mantra chanting, nice easy flow but still challenging, pranayama, meditation, and satsang. He does not adjust, he practices with you. $7 drop in.
Also Ashtanga Shala offers $6 drop in vinyasa classes, week long workshops for $250, and monthly YTT for $1200. The Shala also offers accomodation and it seems nice, clean, and western friendly.
HAMPI. Across the river from the temples is where you want to be. Hatha Yoga classes are offered on a platform among rice fields and in a studio close by, both behind the main road. $3 drop in, look for the signs along the main road. The morning I went the teacher was sick and cancelled the class so I taught instead!
TIRUVANNAMALAI. Here there's everything you can imagine and more: hatha /vinyasa/ashtanga yoga, sufi and spiritual dances, kirtan chanting, satsangs in cafes, pujas, Ayurveda. Some are donation based, some about $3 drop in. Look at the billboards in cafes and restaurants and you'll find all the info. Nice locations on rooftops.
MYSORE. This is the land of Ashtanga, but very few schools accept walk-ins and most renown ones also require reservations in advance and week or month long commitment. Nevertheless I found my school and I loved it: Mandala Mysore Shala. They offer excellent walk-in classes of Ashtanga $10 and Hatha Yoga $8; the teacher has been trained by BNS Iyengar, and in his classes I found myself easily getting into postures that I thought I was 2 years behind... Very good energy there! The other great schools that require more long term commitment are Patanjala Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, and of course the Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute.
ADITYA AYURVEDA HOSPITAL, KERALA. A pretty good teacher is available every day for gentle but very interesting yoga sequences. The treatments make you tired, and vigorous asanas are not recommended. Savasanas were heavenly thanks to his pleasant lead auto-suggestion. $10 total for the group class.
KOCHI. There are Hata yoga and sitar meditation classes at the Kathakali Centre, $7 each, early am.
SIVANANDA ASHRAM, TRIVANDRUM. The ashram, $16 a day all included, has pretty strict rules and regulations, which you may or may not enjoy - see the blog- , but the yoga is pretty good: great focus on breath work and pranayama, both beginners and advanced classes are offered and mandatory twice a day, optional coaching classes with teachers to practice and improve the asanas that are challenging for you. Obviously Sivananda asana sequencing is very different from Ashtanga and regular Vinyasa or Hatha classes, but I still enjoyed a lot.
VARKALA. There are several yoga offers along the main road along the cliff and inside Ayurvedic centers. I took an advance class at Vasudev's Yoga Shala, $6, 1.5hrs. It was a Sivananda inspired class, not too challenging, but it felt good overall. The shala is very nice, open air, with a ceiling covered with colorful saris... and right across the shala there's a all you can eat breakfast buffet for $4! Very Yogic! : )

Note: I found the average quality and cleanliness of the yoga mats available in the schools very poor so I would definitely recommend a thin mat to use as a top layer. I've been using one by Manduka that is so thin you can actually fold it and perfect for traveling. I definitely recommend it!

Ananda Ashram, Monroe, NY
This is my Yoga home.
I fell in love with Yoga and I took my teacher training there.
In addition to the fantastic Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga classes twice a day, to the Sanskrit classes and fire ceremony,  there are always great workshops and live music performances.
It's a Nature sanctuary where you can meet like minded people, find silence and peace in the forest, and eat tasty vegan meal!

Jet Lag Festival
Early Summer.
Within Jet Lag festival there is a camp dedicated to workshops, yoga, healing, live and electronic music, chill out area, hookah lounge, and body painting.
In 2012 I led  a workshop dedicated to the Chakras, their psychological and physical aspects, and how to activate them.
The location in the shade under the trees with birds singing around us was priceless!

COLOMBIA YOGA: opportunities for teachers!
- Playa Blanca, Cartagena. Prana Yoga with Vanessa on this beautiful beach at 5.30pm every day. Bring your towel but be ready to get sandy... you'll enjoy ever more jumping in the sea afterwards!
- Gambhira Ashram, Santa Marta. Enjoy the Ashram life in this Eco- Village: eat organic vegetarian food, chant mantras, learn about Vedic culture, and meet truly nice people. I taught few classes of Vinyasa Yoga in their nice open temple, they have poor asana practice at the moment and they are actually looking for a resident Yoga Teacher. Anybody interested?
- Finca San Sebastian, San Jeronimo, Medellin. Practice yoga on a wide porch with beautiful view on mountains and enjoy the friendly hosts, including the little adorable kitty Mila! I taught few classes here and they are currently looking for a resident yoga teacher.
- Atman Yoga, Medellin. Sivananda centre, they organize classes outdoors in several location in Medellin, including the Orchideorama in the Botanical garden and the Presidencia Park in El Poblado. Free donation. I had a class with Gina: good breath work and inspiring conversations after.
-108 Yoga, Medellin. I had a fantastic Vinyasa Flow Class with Angelika: creative, challenging, invigorating but still relaxing. Great attention to the breath. Highly recommended. First class is free, then it`s a lil expensive.
- Playa La Miel, next to Sapzurro but in Panama. I led a warm-up class on the beach in preparation for Acro-yoga with Andy from Mistic Roots. It was the first time for me doing Acro Yoga and it felt great! He`s now in the process of starting up his own yoga center in the area: watch out!
- Hostel Marlin, Capurgana. I led few Vinyasa flow classes on the rooftop. They are very interested in having yoga regularly but there's no teacher in town at the moment... opportunities!