If you need help in choosing a yoga retreat that’s right for YOU we hope our checklist below helps you to narrow down your search.
1. Consider why you want to go on a yoga retreat.
Is it because you’d like to progress your yoga practice rapidly? Because you’ve always dreamt of going on a yoga retreat? Do you just want to get off the treadmill for a few days? Are you looking for a holiday that’s great for solo travellers?
Because you want to deepen your yoga knowledge & further your current practice
The questions are endless but if you find that actually, you’d like a yoga retreat that is more “holiday” than a retreat, a holiday where it’ll be OK if you skip a yoga class or two or enjoy a glass of wine with dinner than be sure to choose a yoga retreat/holiday carefully. Ask the organisers what the schedule is & if they mind if you skip some of the sessions or if you can have a glass of wine with dinner (if that’s important to you). Generally, a yoga retreat can be a little strict whereas a yoga holiday offers a little more flexibility.
2. Next, think about where you’d like to go.
Location! Location! Location! Maybe you don’t know where to go for your retreat so ask ask yourself what type of climate would you like & how far are you prepared to travel to get there?
Then, ask yourself do you want a retreat venue that is remote & tranquil or within walking/biking distance of some ‘life’? Do you want to be near a beach or the mountains. Do you want a bespoke yoga retreat venue or are you happy staying somewhere where there will be other people present but not on your yoga holiday (ie. a hotel).
Do you want your own accommodation with private bathroom or are you happy to share with others?
Is the retreat easy to get to or does it require a complicated, long or expensive transfer?
Will you have to make your own way to the yoga venue or do they offer a transfer service from the airport? If so, what’s the cost of the transfers & do the transfer times marry with your flight/train times?
3. Once you’re clear on where you’d like to go, now’s the time to research the various yoga holidays in your chosen area. This is something that should not be rushed… believe us.
First impressions are really important. When searching online, if you like the look and feel of the yoga holiday/rettreat website you are likely to like the people running the holiday. Make sure they have details about their yoga teachers and the qualifications. If you contact the organisers you can tell how professional, personable and accommodating they are in their style & speed of their communications to you.
Check exactly what is & what isn’t included in the holiday. It’s very easy for a holiday to sound exciting by mentioning lots of different activities but do you have to pay extra for those ‘exciting’ activities? If so ask how much & are they available on your retreat. Also, check what meals & drinks are included & if they can cater for your diet if you have any special requirements.
Check there is enough yoga in the programme for you. Check there is enough downtime for you.
Check that the instructors will be teaching the style – & level – of yoga you want to practice. Maybe you’d like to ask if extra personal lessons are available to help you progress.
Ask about the instructors teaching qualifications & experience – where they’ve taught, how long they’ve taught, who they qualified with & do they have any ‘specialties’ or something you think you’d like to learn?
Super Important! Check the instructors are insured. If in doubt, ask for copies of their insurance & teacher’s training certificates before you book .. why take the risk?
Super Super Important! Is the yoga holiday company legal & registered to trade? Be careful, many are not. Do you really want to pay money to a company – or individual – that is trading illegally? Do you think you’ll have any recompense if there is a problem? Do you think their insurance will be valid if they aren’t legal? Here in Spain, if the authorities often make unannounced visits to venues &, they find there are people working illegally, the illegal workers are heavily fined & your holiday could be brought to an early close. How can you check? Simple, ask for the details – email or website – of their accountant & then contact the accountant to verify.
4. What do others say?
We cannot help checking out review sites especially now they have feedback on everything from restaurants and hotels to holidays. Although you don’t want to have the holiday experience before you’ve actually been, you do want to know you´re making the right choice so we recommend you seek out any previous guest and/or press feedback.
You can check Yoga Breaks in Spain guest & press video feedback on our webpage here or, take a look at the guest review videos on our YouTube Channel
Hope this article helps you choose the right yoga retreat for you.
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