Yoga Retreats
We all recognize the benefits of yoga and meditation, but it’s often hard to find time to practice. But what if you could devote days to this endeavor? Taking off time for a wellness retreat allows you to focus on taking your practice to the next level and provides the schedule for you so there’s no question about skipping yoga class today.
I spent time looking at a variety of yoga retreats, and you can find them all over the world. You can find reviews everywhere. Both Goop and Book Yoga Retreats offer a good look. You can go upscale at a swanky hotel in France or stay at an ashram with dorm room facilities in Boston. You can spend a weekend or a month. You can take special courses or just show up for daily yoga sessions and use the rest of your time as you please. You can even incorporate volunteerism into your stay. Some places are all-inclusive with lodgings and meals, and others don’t -- so think about what you want from the place you choose. Some have strict rules about what eat so take that into account when you are looking. Many offer silent retreats as well if that is something you are interested in.
Living in cold weather at this time of year, I’m thinking of going south to the Caribbean or Mexico for a few weeks. Two programs that look interesting are yoga at a program and at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat at Paradise Island in the Bahamas and Rancho La Puerta right over the border from San Deigo in Mexico. Unlike many of the retreats I researched, these two seem easy to get to from my location, and you can choose from different types of accommodations. They offer many different programs, or you can sign up for a basic Yoga Vacation package which includes of daily yoga practice, a healthy vegetarian diet, silent meditation sessions, and uplifting teachings.
Have you taken a yoga retreat? Tell us about your experience!
Guest Post written by:
Michele Garvey – editor, bemindful.com