Everyone’s travel style is different. Some people like to relax at an all inclusive luxury beach resort, some enjoy chic city weekend breaks with action packed itineraries, while others prefer to go on an organised tour.
But for me, the best vacation is taking a yoga retreat abroad.
You can’t underestimate the importance of taking a holiday and break from everyday life. I believe that every time we travel we learn something new about ourselves and about the world.
I travel because I want to broaden my horizons, meet new people, learn new things and improve myself – not just flop on a beach. While there’s nothing wrong with a bit of that – here’s so much more you can do with your holiday.
After taking several different types of retreat holidays, I wanted to share the reasons why I’ve been converted into taking a yoga retreat abroad instead of a regular beach vacation or city sightseeing trip.
Why you should take a yoga holiday or retreat for your next vacation
1. There’s so many different kinds of retreat holidays you can take
The most popular retreat holidays are yoga and meditation retreats, but you don’t have to be a serious yogi or sit in strict silence for 10 days on a Vipassana meditation retreat to enjoy a retreat holiday!
From fun and lively yoga and surf camps, to all inclusive luxury detox and wellness retreats to high intensity fitness bootcamps and relaxing yoga holidays that are perfect for beginners – there’s plenty to choose from whatever stage you’re at.
Many beginner friendly yoga retreats combine easy gentle daily yoga sessions with sightseeing and other cultural activities, some also include fitness classes and holistic workshops for the ideal break from the stresses of everyday life.
I’ve been lucky enough to practice yoga on the shores of Goa, Thailand and Bali and join a surf and yoga retreat in Morocco. I’ve also experiencing a more austere meditation retreat in a Buddhist monastery in Nepal and intensive yoga teacher training courses in India.
All of these experiences have lead to profound personal growth and showed me that the possibilities for taking a retreat holiday are unlimited.
2. Retreat holidays cater for all levels, hobbies and interests
Don’t worry if you don’t have the body of a pretzel or the mind of a monk – everyone can benefit from going on a retreat!
I’ve discovered that there are retreat holidays to suit all hobbies and interests including yoga, trekking, surfing, skiing, cycling, dance, creative writing, art, horse riding, mediation, massage, tantra, Ayurveda, detoxing, cooking, learning a new language, or even traditional plant based medicine healing ceremonies.
A retreat holiday could be life changing and offers so much more than just lying on a beach or wandering around snapping selfies!
3. Take a break, destress, and learn new skills
Take a break away from your routine and the stresses of everyday life to be able to really focus on yourself, allow yourself to get a new perspective, find inspiration or just relax, regroup and re-energize and be yourself.
Combine your passions and interests whilst also exploring a new destination in comfort. Often retreats are located in nature in beautiful destinations, and it always feels better to get out into nature.
Retreats often offer the chance to learn a new skill, challenge yourself to do something you’ve always dreamed of doing or just focus on getting better at something you already enjoy. It feels amazing to learn new things and can be very therapeutic to be more creative and active.
Often retreats are all inclusive and include transfers, some sightseeing or excursions. Everything is planned and often meals are included and taken as a group which means no more stress getting from place to place and no more searching for a decent restaurant or eating out alone.
4. Improve your health, fitness and overall wellbeing
If it’s an active retreat it goes without saying that you’ll also improve your fitness, loose weight, and feel amazing by the end of the program!
Unlike a regular holiday where you might flop on the beach or wander around a new city while indulging in unhealthy habits, joining an active retreat program means that your trip has more purpose and structure.
Even if you’re not that into yoga, many retreats also offer other fitness classes, hiking and trekking, dance sessions, holistic workshops and of course healthy meals. It’s the perfect opportunity to move your body and improve your fitness and overall health and wellbeing.
5. Retreats are great for solo female travellers
If you want to get away, visit a new country and learn new skills but don’t have anyone to travel with, don’t worry because retreat holidays are great for singles and solo female travellers!
On a retreat vacation you’ll have the chance to connect and get to know yourself better whilst also having a ready made group of new friends and be in like minded company with people who share the same interests as you
I went on a surf and yoga retreat with Surf Berbere in Morocco just after a break up and I never felt alone, I actually felt really at home with a new surf family that I didn’t want to leave once the week was over.
Taking a yoga retreat abroad is a super safe way for solo female travellers to explore the world in a fun, healthy and safe environment with plenty of like minded people – I highly recommend it!
6. Create good habits that last longer than your tan!
Immersing yourself in a healthier and more active routine has so many benefits for your body, mind and soul. And don’t just take it from me – The Chopra Centre reports that retreats are more likely to have long term benefits which are more impactful and long lasting that regular vacations.
These lasting benefits can include starting a yoga and mediation practice, or writing or journaling routine, improved fitness, spiritual healing or just feeling recharged, rejuvenated, more inspired or gaining a new perspective that will help you going forwards in your everyday life. You often make new friends too that last beyond the retreat center
7. Retreat holidays don’t have to break the bank
Yoga and wellness retreats have a reputation for being expensive but that’s not always the case – in fact many retreats, especially in places like Asia or Southern Europe, can be more affordable than regular holidays, and the transformative benefits they can bring make them amazing value for money!
Check out some of these super affordable yoga retreats – I think you’ll be shocked at budget friendly retreat holidays can be!Â
Thinking of joining a retreat for your next vacation?
As you can see the possibilities for yoga retreats, active holidays and wellness escapes are endless but you still need to do your research before you book a retreat holiday as they are not all created equally.
When you book a hotel it’s easy to find reviews on places like Booking.com and Airbnb but it’s not so easy when it comes to yoga and wellness retreats. I’ve found www.bookyogaretreats.com really useful as you can search different types of yoga retreats all over the world and read real reviews from previous guests before booking to make sure you’re experience is memorable – for all the right reasons!
Have you taken a yoga retreat abroad? I’m keen to take some more so inspire me by telling me where you went and what you learned! 🙂
Pin Me 🙂
Cover Photo Credit: De Visu and Shutterstock
Read More about retreat holidays:
- Best yoga, meditation and fitness holidays – The GuardianÂ
- My surf and yoga retreat in Morocco with Surf Berbere
- Discovering Buddhism at Kopan Monastery in Nepal
- Best Yoga and Meditation Retreats in India
- Best Yoga Retreats and Yoga Teacher Training in Goa, India
- 5 Best Yoga Retreats in Koh Phangan, Thailand
- 5 Best Yoga Retreats in Bali
- 5 Best Yoga Retreats in Goa, India
- 5 Best Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Goa, India
6 comments
That is a good point that retreats are often in nature where it is beautiful. That is something I would want to do if I were needing to see some beautiful sights. Maybe it would be a good idea to go on a Christian retreat sometime soon.
Yes I always find nature very healing. A Christmas retreat sounds like a great idea – I always find the festive period stressful and busy and wouldn’t it be nice to get away and take some time out for yourself 🙂
I find it cool when you said that a person not in a romantic relationship can help them connect and know themselves better while getting a new set of like-minded company. Learning about this convinced me to book one for my sister this summer. Doing this will help her readjust herself and her priorities after filing for a divorce a week ago.
I find it cool when you said that signing up for an active retreat can help a person improve their fitness and feel amazing at the end of the week. Learning about this convinced me to book a cruise for myself this summer. Doing this will help me be amazed at the open sea while being able to try out yoga or swimming by myself.
[…] In the Canary Islands you don’t have to choose between relaxing on the beach, yoga, surfing and hiking – the best retreats in the Canary Islands offer you the chance to combine all these and more into one perfect active retreat holiday! In my opinion, a retreat holiday is the best travel experience – read here why I love retreats so much. […]
[…] been practising yoga for a few years now and I’ve experienced how many benefits yoga can have and how beneficial taking time out for a retreat is. It’s far more than just about the poses ‘asanas’ and being flexible – it’s a great work […]