Are Yoga Retreats Worth It?
Yoga retreats, as much as they seem exotic, are also an investment of time, effort, and money. It is very natural to wonder if yoga retreats are worth it.
Whether one is a beginner or more advanced in their yoga practice, yoga retreats have a lot to offer to everyone. Studies have found that after being on even just a week-long retreat, participants have shown significant improvements in their weight, blood pressure, and other physical and psychological health markers. The short answer then to whether yoga retreats are worth is YES.
But there is much more to yoga retreats than meets the eye. Here, in this article, we will talk about everything you need to know about yoga retreats including what you must be aware of before signing up for one.
Why should you go on a yoga retreat?
Some reasons as to why you should commit to a yoga retreat, what you will find on a yoga retreat that your local yoga class cannot provide, and who you will come back as.
1. You will elevate your yoga practice
On a yoga retreat, you will be practicing yoga if not a few times daily, most likely at least twice a day.
You will have more time to spend with your instructor to learn, clarify doubts, and get help with your practice.
Depending on where you are on your journey in yoga, being in a focused and supportive environment will help you jumpstart or deepen your yoga practice and knowledge.
You will get both time and space to become more aware of how your body feels from one practice session to another because you will be listening to the signals of the body more intently.
If you have been wanting to create more discipline around your yoga practice, a yoga retreat can also help you instill a routine, something you can take back home with you.
2. You will give a boost to your holistic health
Being on a yoga retreat means being in an environment that is in every way conducive for physical, mental, and spiritual health and well-being.
The routine of a yoga retreat takes away decision fatigue. Your day is planned for you. The activities that fill up the day are all rejuvenating.
The food that you get is healthy, mostly vegetarian, and simple. You wake up and go to bed at fixed times creating a discipline around bedtime.
And above all of that, you spend days together with yourself and on yourself, something that almost never happens in the throes of daily life. This is healing in its own right.
A yoga retreat therefore not only benefits physically, but also mentally by clearing away the clutter, and spiritually by bringing you closer to yourself.
You come out of your yoga retreat calmer, healthier, and ready to take on the world.
3. You will get to know yourself better
A yoga retreat, because it pulls us away from life’s distractions, allows us the mental space for introspection and reflection. In all the activities that you will be doing, your focus will still be on yourself.
You will be able to become better acquainted with your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
Focusing your attention inwards in a way that isn’t always possible in the outside world will help you become more aware of the possibilities that you can create in your life and with your life.
It will help you refuel your inspiration and spark your creativity.
4. You will get a fresh perspective on life
What helps is to set a clear intention. Is there something that you want to process, heal, or release?
By knowing what it is that you want to work on, a yoga retreat will provide you the perfect environment to lead you to self-discovery and change.
By the time you are done, you will be feeling more aligned with your true self which will help propel you to take action towards that area of your life that you wanted to work on.
5. You will leave the yoga retreat with new friends in your life
This is another big benefit of going on a yoga retreat.
Finding a group of like-minded people who have come together for similar reasons and spending that kind of time with them is not easy in adult life.
Yoga retreats can also be light-hearted and fun. There are often group activities that bring the participants together.
Besides, there is ample time and space that allows everyone to be open and vulnerable.
You get a chance to learn from others, share life stories, get new perspectives, and make new friends.
Things to consider before you sign up for a yoga retreat
If you are looking for a yoga retreat, you will have to make your way through a hundred.
Just so you are sure you are choosing the right one that is worth the commitment, here are a few points to be aware of.
Do some research on the teacher who is running the yoga retreat
It either has to be a teacher who you know or someone who you can do a check on.
This is just so you are aware of the kind of yoga that they teach and their personality.
It will also give you a sense of the type of participants that you are likely to find yourself with on the yoga retreat.
If the yoga teacher is someplace where it is possible for you to take a class with them, do not skip that step. Attend a couple of classes and see how you feel before you enroll.
During your yoga retreat, you will be in close contact with your teacher.
If you can be inspired by them and approach them with your questions and doubts, it will make a tremendous difference to your overall experience.
Spend some time to find out what you want from a yoga retreat
Yoga retreats come in all shapes and sizes. There are some that are more leisurely and give more time for rest and relaxation.
There are others that are packed with a full schedule of activities.
Then there are the ones that focus more on the physical aspect of yoga while there are others that are more spiritually inclined.
If you know what you are looking for and what you want to gain from your time there, it will be easier for you to know which yoga retreat is right for you.
And it will save you from any surprises later on.
Be open to the experience
Whether it is your first yoga retreat or tenth, each experience of a yoga retreat can be completely different from the other.
Managing your expectations will keep you from not getting disappointed.
Your experience of a yoga retreat will depend on what you make of it.
In all likelihood, your life will not change after having attended a yoga retreat.
However, what can change and most likely will change, is YOU.
If you go into the yoga retreat wanting to create a transformation in yourself or in some area of your life, you will be able to see the potential in yourself to achieve it.
Conclusion, are yoga retreats worth it?
Being on a yoga retreat entails pulling oneself out of the busyness and noise of daily life, something that becomes necessary in order for us to be able to listen to our inner voice.
If nothing else, yoga retreats are wonderful to slow down, look inwards, and become more mindful.
You are able to honor your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
In that respect, yoga retreats are TOTALLY worth it.
Want to learn more about yoga retreats benefits, or how to choose one? Here are some additional resources: