Yoga Retreat
Are you interested in attending a yoga retreat for the first time? But how do you choose it? What is the budget to plan? Is your level of yoga adapted to this type of retreat? In this article, I answer all the questions you might have about your first yoga trip. So let's get started?
What level is required to participate in a yoga retreat?
Wondering if your level of yoga will be sufficient to participate in a yoga retreat? If the pace won't be too intense? If you will be able to keep up? Rest assured, generally speaking, yoga retreats are open to all levels of practice and even beginners. Of course, if you've never set foot on a mat before and are planning a 15-day retreat, it may prove to be a physical challenge. But remember that in yoga, you learn to listen to yourself and respect your limits. This way, there will be no need to force yourself or to "get better" at any cost. The goal of a yoga journey will simply be to do your best with complete respect for yourself.
Furthermore, during this yoga retreat, your teacher will always be present to find an option that suits you if a posture proves too complicated.
Yoga retreat: open to all?
Nevertheless, when choosing your yoga retreat, pay attention to the level required. Most retreats are open to beginners as well as more experienced students. However, some have a very intense rhythm or offer dynamic yoga. As a beginner, it is best to choose a Hatha Yoga retreat or a yoga retreat that combines Vinyasa classes (intense) with Yin or Yoga Nidra classes for example (softer).
If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to contact the organizers who will be happy to give you more information.
Your friend has asked you to participate with her/him in a yoga retreat and you are afraid to take the step because it is a world still unknown to you? Don't panic, it is certainly an experience that will be very enriching and there is no chance. So, if it makes you want to (but afraid at the same time!), go for it!
How do you choose a yoga holiday to make sure it's right for you?
Criteria n°1 to choose your yoga retreat: in relation to the teacher. The first criterion to help you choose your yoga retreat is the teacher and the team that accompanies it. Indeed, if you already have an affinity with a teacher (because you take regular classes with her or him for example), you will probably be happy to opt for a yoga weekend or a yoga retreat with that person.
On the other hand, if you don't know anything about the teacher offering the retreat, perhaps you can find out before the retreat. For example, you can see if he or she has social networks or a Youtube channel, or you can opt for a yoga class with him or her to find out if the feeling passes.
However, if you're doing your yoga retreat on the other side of the world, you may not know anything about the teacher who will be accompanying you. In fact, it is more often a team of several teachers and yoga masters. In this case, you will only have to let yourself be carried away, which is not bad at times... I advise you to read the program carefully and see the themes covered to see if it will arouse your curiosity.
Finally, the style of yoga that will be practiced during the retreat also comes into play. If you love Yin Yoga, a Vinyasa Yoga retreat may be very intense for you. So, observe the different styles that will be taught during your stay and try to find out if they make you want to.
Criteria n°2 to choose your yoga retreat: in relation to price. Then, it is often the criterion of price that comes into play to help you choose one yoga trip or the other. Indeed, you will often see prices that range from single to double depending on the period, the teacher and the country where the retreat takes place. To help you see more clearly, the Book Yoga Retreats site for example has a way to filter the different yoga trips according to the price per day from the lowest to the highest. This will give you a more accurate idea than the total price of the stay. Indeed, the duration of the stay can vary from 2 to 20 days and the final price is therefore very different depending on the length of the stay.
Furthermore, it is of course up to you to think about the budget you are willing to put into this yoga retreat. Try to compare the stays according to several criteria. Do they also offer accommodation? Are meals included in the price? How much are they offering? Also think about the cost of transportation to get you there.
Criteria n°3 to choose your yoga retreat: in relation to duration. Do you dream of a yoga trip but don't know how long your stay should last? Will you get bored if it's too long? Will it seem too short?
First of all, a weekend will be interesting to give you the opportunity to disconnect not far from home. It's probably a good idea if it's your first experience and you don't have any weeks off. Indeed, a yoga stay of 2 to 3 days can already bring you a lot of benefits. Moreover, they are not only counted in the duration, but also in the intensity of what you will experience.
In addition, week-long yoga stays are often much appreciated by practitioners who find there a way to completely recharge their batteries and deepen their learning.
Short or rather long stay? How to choose?
On the other hand, if you hesitate to choose a 15 or 20 day yoga stay, it will depend above all on your expectations. Is there any chance that you will find this experience too long or too intense? Nevertheless, such a long yoga retreat can be a good way to completely cut yourself off from your daily routine and get to know yourself better, far from your bearings. It's also a good option if you plan to take that yoga trip far away from home, on the other side of the world.
In general, there is a tendency to say that a yoga retreat always goes too fast. So, it's up to you to see what makes you want to do it today, at this time in your life. Follow your heart, it always holds the truth and knows what is good for you!
Are you hesitating about where to go for your yoga trip? How I understand you! Indeed, there are yoga retreats all over the world. For example, the island of Bali in Indonesia is certainly the most "fashionable" for this type of trip. In addition, you can also find many yoga retreats in India, Morocco, Greece and Ibiza. It is therefore up to you to choose the place you want to go.
I advise you to ask around your home, to ask the yoga teachers you know or to look in magazines to find events. Nowadays, Facebook is also a gold mine to find future yoga retreats.
In addition, there are "detox" yoga retreats, some combine surfing and yoga, while others focus on exploring the feminine or ayurveda. Thus, the location of your yoga retreat may not be so important in relation to the theme or the teacher who organizes it. Your choice will depend on your expectations and desires.
What is the budget for a yoga retreat?
The price of a yoga trip depends a lot on the destination and I grant you, it's a bit disconcerting. Indeed, you can find yoga retreats with excellent reviews between 10 and 30 € per day in Indonesia, India or Thailand. However, if you add the flight to these destinations, it can drastically increase your budget. And it is probably out of the question to travel that far for a retreat of only 4 days... In comparison, a more expensive and shorter stay in France might end up asking you the same total budget.
Moreover, you will find many yoga retreats in Europe between 30 and 40 € per day. This is particularly true in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece. If you are looking for sunshine, this is certainly a good solution!
The best thing to do may be to determine the budget you are willing to put before starting your search. On the other hand, if you simply have a crush on a certain retreat, this may be the time to follow it, without thinking too much about the money you spend, but rather about what you will gain from it...
If you prefer to go directly to a teacher who regularly organizes retreats, I advise you to follow on Facebook or Instagram yoga teachers who already have a small reputation or with whom you have a certain feeling.
What to pack in your suitcase for your yoga retreat?
Your stay is approaching but you don't know what to put in your suitcase for your yoga trip? In order to make the most of this experience, I will share with you what you should not forget before you leave!
For your suitcase, the most important thing is already to bring clothes where you feel comfortable. Some leggings and yoga tee-shirts, comfortable bras and sweaters or vests depending on the season. Don't forget also a pair of big socks or even a plaid for relaxation. How many different outfits to bring? This will of course depend on the length of your yoga retreat, the intensity of the practice and your comfort.
The clothes to take with you will also depend on your destination: warm for a yoga retreat in the middle of winter, lighter for a yoga retreat in Bali or India. Check the weather forecast before you leave to add to your choice: jacket, swimsuit, raincoat... Also, don't forget to respect the dress code of the destination you are going to. In Asia, for example, provocative outfits, tank tops or shorts may be frowned upon.
In addition, don't forget to bring a pair of flip-flops that will be handy to take off and put on during sessions and a pair of sneakers for travel during your free time and meals.
Do you need to take a yoga mat or equipment with you? Not necessarily. In fact, most retreat locations offer them. Just make sure this is the case before you leave. However, you can bring your own over-mat, a non-slip towel or a simple towel for an intense session.
Finally, to guarantee a good night's sleep, choose pyjamas adapted to the season, earplugs and a mask according to your needs.
3 things to know before your yoga retreat:
- Rooms are often shared. If this may seem awkward at first glance, it is often an opportunity to meet people who share a similar way of looking at life.
- Meals are usually vegetarian. They are sometimes even vegan, but always delicious and prepared by outstanding chefs. So go without preconceived ideas for this cuisine and live it as a new experience.
- The first yoga class often takes place before breakfast: indeed, yoga is usually practiced on an empty stomach or on a light stomach so as not to be hindered in the postures (of twisting for example). If you don't think you'll survive, take the test and bring a snack with you just in case.
Yoga retreat: what are the benefits?
Registering for a yoga retreat is without a doubt an excellent gift to give yourself.
First of all, this experience will offer you a wonderful opportunity to disconnect from your daily life. Indeed, during a yoga retreat, you usually have a specific program to follow during your day. In addition, you sleep at set times and eat what is prepared for you on site. All of this leads you to live an experience far from your bearings and habits. You no longer have to think about what you have to do, which allows you to think only about yourself and your well-being.
Moreover, a yoga retreat is an excellent way to discover other styles of yoga, to learn more about its philosophy and to progress in your practice. It may make you want to add more yoga to your daily life.
Finally, a yoga trip will certainly allow you to learn more about yourself: your inner strength, your self-confidence or your personality. It is an experience that always involves a lot of intensity on a physical level but also on an emotional level. It will surely give you beautiful lessons about yourself, your ability to let go but also about your will.
You now know everything you need to know before you embark on your first yoga retreat. I invite you to ask me any questions you may have on this subject as comments, but also to share your experience with me once it is finished (and digested!). A yoga trip always promises to be a beautiful journey about yourself as well. So don't be afraid to take part in this adventure and if you feel that it's the right time, then go for it!