Is there such a thing as the perfect Yoga retreat?
Taking a break on a Yoga retreat is growing in popularity and becoming part of the mainstream holiday sector. They are no longer the domain of hippy travellers or similarly, stressed out city workers. The range of destinations and types of retreat that you can now attend is very varied and moreover there is always something to suit anyone and all abilities. Our Local Tour work closely with a range of quality professional and locally based retreat providers. To answer the question, we don’t think there is the perfect yoga retreat, as everyone’s needs are different. However, there will be a yoga retreat that is perfect for you!
Domestic and international yoga retreats
You don’t have to travel abroad to attend a yoga retreat. There are many hotels and spas offering weekend breaks and local yoga instructors organising their own local retreats. If you attend a regular yoga class ask your instructor or other members for suggestions of locally organised events.
Travelling abroad to attend a yoga retreat requires a bit of research and planning. Firstly, you need to decide whether you want the whole trip to centre on yoga. For example, it is possible to attend an ashram for just a few days while travelling in India.
On the other hand, the opposite is to have your holiday focus entirely on the yoga with multiple lessons throughout the day. Holidays with a dedicated focus on yoga will often have other elements of well-being included, for instance ayurveda treatments.
Popular countries for a yoga holiday include India, Indonesia especially Bali and Sri Lanka. Other destinations that are up and coming and should be considered include Costa Rica and Morocco.
Cultural Influence
Each country has its own culture that will influence the type of retreat that you stay at. Indian and Sri Lankan holidays often have a core structure revolving around ayurveda and veganism. In Bali the Balinese Hindu-Buddhist religion dominates. This creates a different style to the yoga and the retreats on the island. There is much more focus on the traditional Balinese music and dance.
In Costa Rica you will find that many of the yoga retreats are based on eco-resorts and lodges. The ‘feel’ of the retreats is a lot more western. You will find that many of the instructors and lodge owners come from the USA and California in particular.
The types of Yoga
Whatever type of yoga you already practice, or would like to try; there will be a yoga retreat for that style. The most popular styles that you will find are;
Ashtanga yoga
A style of yoga as exercise often promoted as a modern-day form of classical Indian yoga. In Mysore, India, people gather to practice this form of yoga together at their own pace.
Vinyasa yoga
Teachers lead classes that flow from one pose to the next without stopping. Students will come away with a good workout as well as a yoga experience. However, many types of yoga can also be considered vinyasa flows such as ashtanga, power yoga, and prana.
Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is usually a slower-paced practice where poses (asana) are held for a few breaths. A Hatha class will usually include breathing techniques and meditation as well as asana.
Iyengar yoga
The Iyengar style of yoga has a particular emphasis on body alignment and is characterised by its precision and attention to detail. Iyengar yoga requires you to keep the pose for a slightly longer period of time, which increases the way a particular pose is performed thereby improving confidence, weight-loss and strength.
Hot Yoga (formally known as Bikram yoga)
Originally named after Bikram Choudhury and features a sequence of set poses in a sauna-like room. This is typically set to 105 degrees and 40% humidity. As a result of this, it is said to improve balance, lower body strength and range of motion for both the upper and lower body.In addition, it might even help improve arterial stiffness and metabolic measures like glucose tolerance and cholesterol levels.
There are many other types and styles of yoga. Certainly, you will find that many cross over into the styles of each other. If you are unsure of the style you want to practice on your retreat, try a few before booking anything. Many classes near you will offer taster sessions. These are perfect for deciding what’s the right style for you.
How to book your yoga retreat?
You have decided that you want to go on a yoga holiday and therefore know the style of yoga that you want. Likewise, it is going to be an overseas holiday and you want it to focus on the yoga. How do you go about booking this?
The first thing that you should do is contact us at Our Local Tour. For instance, we can help you decide on the best destination for you. Our local specialists will be able to give you exact details on what is available and where. Most importantly, they will have local knowledge and be able to speak to retreats and lodges in their area.
In conclusion, a yoga retreat is a specialist holiday. Let our team of travel experts arrange everything for you allowing you to focus on the important aspects of the holiday – you.
