Yoga has been a form of spiritual and physical healing dating back to 3000 B.C., originating in ancient India. It was first brought to the Western world in the late 19th century by Hindu monks. In the ’80s, yoga became extremely popular as a form of physical exercise. Since then, yoga has spread rapidly. It is unknown by many that yoga in the Caribbean is indeed present. Cubans, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico have welcome and embraced this foreign practice.

Each Caribbean island has developed their own way of cultivating yoga into its culture. In Haiti, there are U.S. non-profit organizations that allow teachers to provide yoga to children. In the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Puerto Rico there are various yoga retreats as well as yoga studios and centers that offer locals and travelers daily access to the practice. In Cuba, things are a bit different. Because of limited access to resources and exposure, yoga is not as prevalent but the interest is increasing.

Here is a list of yoga in the Caribbean:

CUBA

A recent article by Sonima exposes the story of the “Godfather of Cuban yoga,” Eduardo Jesus Pimentel Vázquez, an almost 70-year-old Habanero who was first introduced to the practice in 1972. He currently teaches yoga in six nondescript locations in Havana. You may need to ask around Havana where these locations are or check out a list of places here. Eduardo also co-leads a Canadian retreat center called MHAI.

Havana, Playas del Este

MHAI: Located on the beautiful, serene beach area of Playas del Este, 15 minutes away from the center of Havana, this 7-day retreat will run you $1,400 which includes accommodations in a beach front villa, 3 healthy meals a day, twice daily yoga classes, 1 private yoga class with Eduardo, Salsa class, guided tour, orishas dance show and workshop, DIY spa night, and much, much more!
Note: Airfare, airport pickup and drop-off, massages and some other amenities are not included.
Check out the site for dates and more information.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Boca Chica

Hotel Zapata: This small beachfront hotel offers Hatha yoga every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Take a class at 8am for $10USD. 2 classes are $15USD and 3 classes are $20 USD.

Cabarete

Natura Cabana Boutique: Tucked away in a luscious garden next to the beach, Natura Cabana is a hideaway in Cabarete that provides a regular program of yoga classes. They also have ten cozy bungalows where anyone can refuge from the world, two open-air restaurants and a swimming pool. Yoga classes are offered to everyone; not just guests of the hotel.

Surfbreak Cabarete B&B: A peaceful bed and breakfast located a short walk from the #1 surf beach in the Caribbean, Encuentro Beach, has an amazing yoga studio that includes mats and yoga hammocks (for aerial yoga) you can use free of charge or take one of their  instructed classes.

Samaná

Villa Serena: Located in Las Galeras, one of the most beautiful areas in Samaná, this hotel   offers daily yoga, meditation, pranayama and water yoga classes (depending on yoga instructor availability). Contact the hotel for more information.

Santo Domingo

Espacio Swásthya: Located in the Piantini area of Santo Domingo calls for a more serious practitioner who wants to learn both the practical and theoretical sides of yoga to cultivate a deep understanding of what they are doing. Classes are held Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 8:30pm for all different levels.
Yoga + RD: A yoga and pilates studio also located in the Piantini area offers a selection of various fun classes of Hot, Flow, Balance Chi Kung, Express, Pre-Natal, Fit and even for Kids from as early as 6am to as late as 7:30pm.

HAITI

Go Give Yoga: is a foundation that empowers children to maximize their physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being through yoga. They focus on uplifting impoverished communities. Go Give Yoga offers yoga teachers the opportunity to teach yoga in Haiti for a span of one-two weeks. There are other volunteer opportunities on their website.

Petionville

Ayiti Yoga Co.: This community organization offers a one-day Resilience Discover Your Inner Strength retreat. They have limited information available. Contact them on here for details.
Project Zen: Haiti’s first yoga studio opened in July of 2012 offers classes from Monday through Saturday, its earliest class starting at 10:30am on Saturday and its latest class starting at 7pm on Thursday. There are membership, weekly passes and one-time class rates available.

Jacmel

Yoga Ventures: coordinates humanitarian yoga retreats to provide cultural and meaningful experiences. They have built a Jacmel Children’s Center, a 13,000 square foot school and home for orphans of 3-10 years old. Yoga Ventures offers a volunteer yoga trip to Jacmel where you can assist with supporting the Haitian youth and playing with the children.

JAMAICA

Kingston

Afya Yoga Studio: A yoga and pilates studio right in the hectic city of Kingston. Class times and rates vary.
Bikram Yoga Jamaica: Named after Bikram Choudhury, the Indian Yogi who originally developed the twenty-six “ASANA” practice has studios all over the world, including Jamaica! Classes are offered Sunday through Saturday starting at 6am with prices ranging for a single class to a membership for one year. The Kingston location also offers retreats.

Long Bay, Portland

Go Natural Jamaica: Yoga and meditation retreats to rejuvenate yourself. They have four types of retreats: 4 & 7 days Relax & Detox Yoga & Meditation, 5 & 10 Days Master Cleanse Detox, 7 Days Weight Loss & Detox Yoga, and the 6 Days Yoga, Juicing, & Detox Yoga. ALL retreats include daily yoga sessions and meditations, healthy organic food, fresh juices & coconut water & fruits, natural homemade cosmetics, and so much more!

Negril

Negril Yoga Centre: A safe haven for your heart, mind, body and soul, this eco-friendly garden room and villa accommodation offers daily 1 hour morning yoga class at 9:30am and an evening class starting at 5pm, vegan and vegetarian meals and an open-air pavilion for meditation. Yoga classes for guests are $10 and for visitors $15.

PUERTO RICO

Cabo Rojo, Mayagüez, San Germán

YogAsana: On a mission to share the experience of yoga, Yarilis and Yamilette are committed to teach yoga on the Southwest of the island. Their schedule is:
Mondays at 5:30pm in San Germán
Tuesdays at 8:00am in Dorado Beach, open to the public
Thursdays at 8:30am in Mayaguez in Park of Heroes
Fridays at 9am in Restaurant in El Bohio in Cabo Rojo

Rincón

Samatahiti: A yoga place for adrenaline junkies has adventurous yoga of all types such as aerial, SUP and hikes as well as paddleboarding, surfing, various fun retreats such as Chica Surf/Yoga Camp, Mother Daughter Yoga Retreat, and a Yoga & Everything Else Amazing Retreat. They also have an Eco Resort in the jungle of Rincón.

San Juan

Ashtanga Yoga PR: Progressive Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is the style practiced here and in the island for 10 years, founded by David Kyle whose honored the older Ashtanga Yoga. Classes are offered daily at different times everyday from Sunday through Saturday. A  200-hour teacher training is also available. Prices vary greatly.

Condado

Condado Fit: Located in the chicest part of Puerto Rico, the studio offers various classes, everything from Salsa to Pilates. Yoga is given every Tuesday and Sunday. No fee to matriculate! Contact them or stop by for prices. [email protected], 787-433-3636

Santurce

Samadhi Yoga Institute: For the more serious yogi, discover and explore hatha yoga in San Juan where they take a dogmatic, non-sectarian modern approach that speaks the BORICUA language. Classes are given every day with the earliest being at 9:15am.