What To Expect on a Yoga Retreat
Have you been considering retreat travel? Or maybe you’ve been dabbling in yoga and are ready to up your wellness game and wonder what happens when you book a week-long trip with yogis and mindful living folks.
Just like the variety of classes available at your local studio: hatha, yin, vinyasa and restorative, there’s a variety of retreat types out there, from affordable yoga retreats to luxury retreats too. If you aren’t a #yogaeveryday type with a daily practice, don’t worry! The beauty of a yoga retreat is that it’ll offer yoga, of course, but there’s so much more on the agenda. Here’s what you can truly expect to experience on a yoga retreat beyond the obvious!
What to Expect on a Yoga Retreat
A Chance to Detox Your Body & Mind
Retreat locations are often in beautifully remote destinations worldwide, so let’s talk about a digital detox first. You won’t necessarily have wifi, and even if a good connection is available, going on a retreat presents the perfect opportunity to do a digital detox.
On my most recent Colombia retreat, one of the guys did a 48-hour detox over the last several days. I wished I had done the same. By the end of the second day, he seemed so zen after being phone free!
There was a general rule that no phones were allowed at meal time.
We all deserve an opportunity to step away from social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the constant influx of emails and text messages. A retreat gives you a chance to make that happen.
Regarding detoxing your body: if you’ve been considering vegetarianism or going vegan, a retreat will allow you to do this - even if it’s just for a week. The vegetarian meals I’ve experienced on retreats are the best anywhere.
Or perhaps you’re considering a cleanse or a short fast. The food at retreats is so healthy and nourishing that I don’t know if I’d want to skip meals; however, resetting your body to allow for more intuitive eating can happen when you’re eating this clean for a week.
Community Over Competition
There’s so much fun to have when you’re out in nature, exploring and giving yourself time for an extra dose of self-care. On the Colombia retreat, there was a yogi who’d spent time training in India and another that took his very first class on the first day of the retreat. The intention is to connect to your practice and have fun. Our teacher Lihi (pictured here!) was such a brilliant guide and became a friend to each of us.
Daily excursions will allow you to get to know each of the other attendees better, and yoga souls are some of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet! Evenings will feel like family dinner - indulge in playful conversations and learn about each other's cultures and life stories.
A Deepening of Your Practice
A yoga retreat is about yoga - and while you definitely won’t be doing yoga all day every day, you will have an opportunity to connect deeper into your own body as you hit your mat several times a day. If it’s your first retreat or you’re not someone who does yoga daily, you may have a minor soreness on the first day or so - but keep in mind you’ll also have lots of downtime for relaxation and possibly spa experiences. Your body will thank you for it!
An Escape To Nature and Culture
Most yoga retreats are in some far away destination: in Colombia, we were on the edge of Tayrona National Park at the eco-resort Gitana del Mar. Each day offered up a new excursion. There will be no shortage of activities, from horseback riding, tubing, waterfall climbing, and even salsa dancing and exploring mystical swimming holes.
You’ll also have the option just to chill if you prefer. There will be hours upon hours for relaxing your body, mind, and soul as you explore the beaches or mountains of whatever destination you’ve chosen.
Before you go: Do your research - what’s the vibe you’re interested in? The type of landscape do you want to explore? Are you a water baby? Or prefer more earth-centered activities? Some retreats have more classes than others - but all retreats will include laughter, human connection, sharing, and an opportunity to work on your mind, body, and soul.
This post's images were from my retreat in Colombia in partnership with Yogascapes. There’s a complete list of their upcoming retreats here.
