How to Choose the Right Yoga Retreat
Yoga Retreats
When you think of yoga, where does your mind go? Hopefully you find yourself relaxed, breathing deeply and letting your mind move to meditation. Our lives are busy and much of time overwhelming. But, when you’re doing yoga, there’s a pause, a break in the the unrelenting thoughts and your mind goes someplace new, stress just seems to melt away. Now, imagine being stress free, truly pausing from life for days on end at a yoga retreat. Instead of thinking about what you have to do before the rooster crows, you can wake up, watch the sun rise, smell the fresh air, move your body, nourish yourself on every level without the weight of the world on your shoulders. To help ease the stress of finding a retreat, here’s a list of what to look for when choosing a yoga retreat that’s just right for you.
What to look for when choosing a Yoga Retreat
When you’re looking to attend a yoga retreat, you should keep a few things in mind. First, think about what you want to get out of your retreat. Of course, you want to do yoga, but what style of yoga? Are you new to the practice and feel like ? Are you looking for advanced yoga? Are you looking to spend a week, weekend or five days at your retreat, maybe more? Are you looking for other activities while you’re there: spa treatments, hiking, excursions nearby, etc. Only you can answer these questions.
Beginner Yoga Retreats
There are plenty of yoga retreats across the world that cater to the beginner yogi; if this is you it’s okay. No one is born a yoga master; so don’t be afraid to attend a beginner’s yoga retreat. Don’t be afraid to take your time getting into poses, to alter or even completely abandon a pose because your body says, no. Make sure you listen, and never try to force anything. Remember that your retreat is all about you so look for a yoga retreat that is open to all levels of practitioner so you get the most out of your retreat without hurting yourself or feeling self-conscious for not being as flexible or knowledgeable about yoga as the rest of the retreat goers.
Retreats with Feel Better Yoga are always open to all levels of practice and the entire experience from our asana practice to nourishing meals is designed to provide you with an complete opportunity for healing and release.
If you’re a beginner at yoga and not sure how long your retreat should be as a result, Swami’s Yoga Retreat in Australia may be for you. While this retreat welcomes all levels of yoga ability, it’s ideal for the beginner and you can choose how long you want your retreat to be.
The Yogi Master
If you’re a yoga master, you may not be worried about a yoga retreat being too advanced for you. In fact, you may be looking for something that will provide an experience that is beyond an asana practice. Perhaps you’re seeking more information on a certain aspect of the practice like Ayurveda, Anatomy or Mindfulness training. If this is you, there are yoga retreats that cater to the individual looking for a deeper awareness of this rich practice. Or maybe, you just want to relax and are looking for a place to simply unwind and enjoy the scenery. Places like California have beautiful retreat locations. Maybe you want to be in the mountains or maybe you want to see another part of the world, like Sagrada in Iceland. Whatever your choice may be; you’re sure to find various options for your level and style of yoga.
Ayurvedic Cleansing Retreat
If you’re looking for a pause from your life with cleansing foods, yoga and yoga nidra to quiet the mind, consider an Ayurvedic Cleansing Retreat. Taking a break from your life and supporting a healthier life style with the ancient healing rituals of Ayurveda is a powerful way to truly recharge all of the depleted systems in your being. These retreats provide healthy foods following seasonal eating for your own dosha or constitution. Daily yoga and rituals of self-care provide an opportunity to make the changes in your daily patterns that empower change and well being. This is time for you and perfect for those times when you truly need to unplug, reset and look at your life with new awareness.
Purification in Paradise is a refuge of beauty and relaxation. The lush rainforests of Costa Rica provide the perfect backdrop for a week that is all about your relaxation journey. Pura Vida Spa and Retreat is filled with comfortable lodging, Ayurvedic chef and spa professionals offering a variety of healing body treatments. Couple that with the daily yoga classes and nidra as well as personal consults with Karen Quinn, CYT and you can find a life changing experience.
Top Yoga Retreats in California
Yoga Retreat Yosemite: January 20-24, 2020
If you’ve never been to the Yosemite National Park, it’s breathtaking. Add in five days of yoga, yoga workshops and the option for daily spa treatments, you’re sure to unwind. With a yoga retreat like this, you’ll find yourself completely immersed in nature, relaxed and stargazing. You’ll have a great opportunity to hike, take a private photo tour and maybe even do a little snowshoeing.
Thanksgiving and Gratitude: November 23-25, 2018
There’s no better time to be thankful for the peace yoga can bring to the body and mind than during thanksgiving. That’s why the Thanksgiving and Gratitude retreat may be for you. Thanksgiving might normally be a very stressful time, but don’t let it get to you. Instead, take a three-day yoga retreat to San Luis Obispo wine country, CA. This retreat is rated for everyone, beginner to advance. You’ll have plenty of free time along with your vinyasa flow and restorative yoga classes.
Body Flows: March 22-24, 2019
Yoga and hot springs—sounds like they go together. Well, at the Body Flows retreat, they do. If you’re looking for the ultimate relaxation, why not give Body Flows a chance. After four yoga classes and a long relaxing dip in the hot springs, you might not want to leave. This retreat, along with yoga, offers scenic hiking trails, free time, a group hike, natural mineral hot springs, a wine tasting and homemade meals in Wilbur Hot Springs, CA.
Yoga Retreats in Northern, CA
Sacred Healing Retreats, Middletown, CA
Sacred Healing Retreats offers various dates to select from if you have a tight schedule. You can pick from the Holistic Healing Retreat or Personal Transformation Retreat. If you select the Holistic Healing Retreat you have the option of either a raw or raw mixed food diet or a juice detox. They’re also currently offering 20% off at their Yelapa, Mexico location, where you can chose up to 28 days with the Personal Transformation Retreat.
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, Grass Valley, CA
The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm is another great option if you’re looking for flexibility in dates. They even have holiday stay for a small surcharge, and give you a large selection of lodging accommodations. You may chose to bring your own tent, have one provided for you or choose from a large selection of cabins. No matter what you choose, each day comes with two vegetarian meals, two yoga classes and two satsangs. They also offer a course dedicated strictly to beginners.
Yoga and Wine
Yes, you read correctly, yoga and wine is a real thing. Just when you thought you couldn’t get relaxed anymore than you already are in savasana, wine has been introduced. Places like Napa Valley, Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo County and Central Coast, CA offer yoga retreats and wine. So if you love wine and you love yoga, you’re going to love having the two in the same retreat!
Mind, Body and Spirit
You owe it to your mind, body and spirit to get away. If you’re looking for a way to do that, look at taking a yoga vacation. Our Yoga Yosemite Retreat is great place to start. A place where you’re sure to unwind and give your entire body the relaxation it needs.