If you have been feeling lost, disconnected, tired, anxious, lacking purpose or generally just stuck in your life this might be the time to start checking out yoga retreats. One of the first things to consider is where do you want to go. Yoga retreats are offered in many countries, for many different durations. Where you live or your current life situation can have a massive impact on your options here. Some retreats offer certifications as well, so before anything else, decide WHY you want to do a retreat.
To help you make that decision, here are my top 7 reasons a yoga retreat might be for you.
1. Time for YOU!
This seems obvious and easy but believe me, as a mom of 3 young kids, I know how hard it is to get time for yourself. It's even harder to USE that time for yourself. Often when I finally get a moment alone, I'm not thinking about what I can do for myself. I'm thinking about what needs to be done in my home. When embarking on a week long retreat you can move your body, check-in with yourself, connect with new friends and find time to just r.e.l.a.x.
2. Connect with your mind, body & spirit
A yoga retreat is the perfect place to re-connect with your inner-self. Sound baths, meditation, breathwork, journalling workshops, etc are all beautiful ways to tune out the outside world and dig a little deeper. Sometimes the answer we are looking for is inside us all along, we just need a little guidance and quiet to find it.
3. Connect with new like-minded friends
This is one of my favourites. I recently attended an amazing yoga training in Seattle and spent a week learning new ways of teaching with some of the best yogis I've ever met. Spending an entire week with people that have the same interests and possibly the same goals can be an incredibly uplifting and motivating experience.
4. Digital Detox
I always love the irony of writing about a digital detox while I sit on my laptop... but the reality is we all need it. Life is busy, and even when it's not, there's TikTok to derail us. It's so easy to get caught in the social media cycle and while that can be entertaining and nice when you want to just zone out, it isn't healthy all the time. Yoga retreats are a great place to set some boundaries around social and tech in general.
5. Connect with nature
Most week long retreats take place in somewhat exotic places like Bali or Costa Rica. This is a great time to take advantage of your local guides (or hopefully your yoga retreat coordinator) and find some great hiking trails, waterfalls, hidden snorkelling spots and more. There are also usually plenty of excursions you can add to your trip during free time like horseback riding, surfing, atving, etc. You might even find a new passion!
6. Improve your mental and physical health
Having a regular yoga practice (with some guided meditation and breathwork) creates mental clarity and calmness; increases body awareness; relieves chronic stress patterns; relaxes the mind; centres attention; improves energy levels and of course increases strength and flexibility.
7. Create some independence
If you're at all like me (mom of 3) you haven't had many opportunities to travel alone. Yoga retreats are a great excuse to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Flying alone, meeting new people alone, trying a new activity alone, all help create a push in yourself to try new things that YOU care about.
Yoga retreats are the best investment into your own health and wellbeing. Nothing can hit the reset button like a week of connection and rejuvenation in paradise.
Head over to our upcoming events page to find info on our next yoga retreat in Costa Rica!