January in India: Escaping Winter for Warmth and Wisdom

For the past two years, I’ve escaped the damp chill of the British winter for the palm-fringed beaches of Kerala. There’s nothing quite like waking up to the rhythmic sound of the Arabian Sea instead of scraping frost off a car windscreen. The scent of coconuts and spice-laden air has become my “get through” January tonic!

There is something magical about practising yoga in the land of its origin. India truly is incredible – beautiful and crazy, spiritual and practical, calm yet frustrating!  Since my first visit over twenty years ago, I’ve been drawn back again and again, each time discovering another layer of depth and beauty. Being immersed in the colour, warmth and spirit of India as part of a yoga retreat is so much more than a holiday; it’s an opportunity to connect with yoga at its roots, to tune in to the philosophy behind the practice in the rhythm of daily life.

I’ve lost count of the number of visits I’ve made to India. My work as a tour host, alongside my own travels, has enabled me to explore its vast and varied landscapes and I will continue to return because India just makes me feel more alive. I’ve trekked in the Indian Himalaya, watched the sunset from a boat on the Ganges in Varanasi, searched for tigers in Rajasthan, taken the toy train to Shimla, and slept on a houseboat in Kashmir. I’ve haggled for carpets in Jaipur, stirred giant pots in the Golden Temple kitchen in Amritsar, gazed in awe at the Taj Mahal and been humbled by a man chanting mantras on the streets of Delhi.

And yet, somehow, Kerala keeps calling me back. Maybe it’s the laid-back coastal vibe, or the scent of jasmine and cardamom in the air. Maybe it’s the food - light, fragrant, nourishing. Or perhaps it’s simply that practising yoga here feels good.

Taking a dip in the warm waters before yoga in the morning, watching the sun set over the Arabian sea in the evening, the sound of exotic birdsong outside the yoga shala, the warmth, the warmth…

There’s a moment each January, as I unroll my mat under the palm trees, when I feel a quiet sense of gratitude for the gift of practice, and for this incredible country that continues to inspire me and fill me with wonder and joy.

Learn more about Fiona’s upcoming retreat to Kerala in January 2027 at www.yogaunited.com.