How to Choose the Best Yoga Retreat?

Have you been planning to go on a yoga retreat or to book your first yoga holiday? Are you browsing through the options, but not sure how to make the final decision? Nowadays, choosing a yoga retreat can be more difficult than it first sounds like, and there are many factors to consider before taking the leap.

In this blog post, we want to highlight some of the key aspects to consider when choosing the yoga retreat of your dreams.

Location

Start by choosing the country you would like to visit and spend some time in. Would you like to be in a warm country and enjoy the sunshine and beaches, or would you prefer cooler scenes, maybe snowy mountains? Once you know the answer to this question, have a closer look at the retreat centres and their surroundings; What is unique about their location and how does this feed into the retreat? Can they offer a tranquil environment, spectacular views or perhaps an easy access to the nearby areas? Whatever it is, make sure that you are happy with the location of the retreat centre and how it adds to your retreat experience.

Yoga styles and teachers

Before booking a retreat, read about the yoga styles the retreat centre offers and about its teachers. If the centre focuses on a single style of yoga, make sure it’s one that interests you. If you’re not committed to one style of yoga or you’d like to explore different styles, opt for a yoga retreat that offers multiple different styles (multi-style approach) as this allows you to take part in different kinds of yoga classes and possibly meet several teachers as well. If possible, read about the teachers and their approach to yoga as this might give you clues on whether their classes will resonate with you and the way you like to practice.

Accommodation

Think about your personal requirements for your accommodation; Are you happy to stay in a shared room or would you prefer a private room? Would you like a swimming pool, gym, or other extra facilities to be included in your accommodation? Many retreat centres offer different kinds of rooms which allows the guests to choose a room that fits both their budget and their needs. It’s good to research the resort’s other facilities as well and what is included in the price. For example, in Thailand, many retreat centres have swimming pools, gyms, spas, and other extra facilities included in the room price.

Food

Food is a big part of a yoga retreat, and it’s good to check beforehand that the retreat centre can cater to your dietary needs and wishes. Most yoga retreats nowadays offer vegetarian and vegan food and can cater to various different dietary requirements, but it’s always good to check this before booking your retreat. Also, not everyone on a yoga retreat is vegan, and wants to eat only vegetarian food! If this is you, check that the resort caters to all kinds of eaters and doesn’t restrict their menu to vegetarian food. Yoga retreats are a fabulous opportunity to explore the cuisine and food culture of its host country!

Other activities and offerings

Lastly, check what else is included in the retreat price or can you buy extra services and add them to your retreat. Especially if you’ve travelled to a foreign country, you might want to explore the surrounding areas and learn about the culture and nature around you. Are there guided tours to nearby locations or can the retreat centre organise trips with an external tour company? Or maybe you’d like to stay at the resort and add fitness activities or massages to your retreat; check if the centre can offer this. Also, if you’re arriving by plane,

ask for an airport transfer – this will make the beginning of your retreat much smoother and more relaxed.

Whatever your wishes and needs for the retreat are, we highly recommend looking for a place that can offer them to you. Or make special requests as the best retreat centres will do everything to cater to their guest’s needs. Happy searching!