How to Choose a Yoga Retreat
Let’s start with the obvious: yoga retreats can look many different ways. Even amongst the retreats I’ve led, they all have a pretty different vibe. Some have been beach side at a lovely resort in Costa Rica; others have been exploratory as we roam around colonial Mexico, Portugal and even Morocco. Then there are retreat companies that seemingly offer it all so you can choose your experience. People also love the retreat center model because it draws incredible teachers.
Wherever you’re looking, here’s a list of what to consider (other than the obvious cost factor) as you book your first (or next) retreat:
Purpose: the most important starting point. Why are you going on a yoga retreat? Decompress? Adventure? Quality solo time? A fun/healthy bonding trip with a friend/partner? For perspective? Just to get away? Be sure to have some clarity around your expectations of this time so that you can find the trip that best suits your needs.
Location: beach time? Dive in further. Are you cool to go to a resort and just hunker down? Are you looking for beach time that’s a little more authentic and on the ground? Do you want to stay in one place or do you want to roam around and get to know where you’re going? Want something safe and easy or do you want to use this as an opportunity to explore a little? Nature or city?
Teacher: I always think it’s best to go with a teacher you know, like & respect. Are they organized? Will you feel taken care of? Do you like their teaching style? WIll you learn? Or maybe none of that matters so much to you and you’re happy to just be taught yoga by someone who knows more than you do in a lovely setting (that’s totally fair).
Level & Style: Are you looking for a yoga retreat for beginners? Are you looking for a workout? Scope out the type of yoga — find out if it’s vinyasa or ashtanga or kundalini or iyengar. Ask how active/restorative it will be, and what the expected level of practitioner is so that you don’t find yourself in a class that’s not suited to your body or needs.
Transportation: logistics matter a whole lot. How many planes does it take to get there? Are there buses and trains involved? Do you have to drive 6 hours after you land? How far is it? Is it worth the trip? Make sure you know all the details before committing.
Vibe: in the end, you can’t really control the vibe. You can’t control who will be there, whether you’ll jive with the people or space, but there’s a couple of factors that reveal a lot about what the feel of the retreat might be like:
Size: how big is it? Does the retreat have the full space or is it shared (e.g. a hotel with other guests?)
Schedule: is there one? Do you want one (or are you looking for more unstructured solo time)? Is it loose or rigid? Is there free time? What else is on it other than yoga class? Is there chanting? Ask!
So, how to find them? You can do the classic google “affordable yoga retreats 2022” or “yoga retreat 2022”. You might look for “yoga retreats near me”. Maybe ask around (ask me!) or maybe a friend who’s been on one. Read reviews if you can. Then filter through what you find based on the factors above, and then book your yoga retreat!
I hope that’s helpful! Feel free to reach out to me through the connect form. if you have any other questions! Picking the right retreat is HUGE. You’ll know the right one when you find it.