Yoga Retreats

Being away from your usual routine can allow you to evaluate your life if stress is causing a problem. Being able to step away from the hustle and bustle of every day life and put your health and wellbeing at centre stage is vital in keeping us healthy when we return.

A big reason to go on a yoga retreat is to learn to be conscious of the moment you’re in, and increase mindfulness without needing to put anybody else first. That’s not selfish, as it’s important to realise sometimes we just need a few days to put our own physical and mental health first.

In everyday life, we can also find ourselves living in the future as we plan ahead, or in the past as we reflect on what has happened to us. On a retreat, you can finally just ‘be’.

It’s often advised on health retreats to take a break away from our phones, tablets and laptops.

These devices are a constant stream of communication from many sources, including social media and work.

To disconnect from them for a few days can mean more effectively relaxing and reconnecting with your own mind and body without the intrusion of anything else.

A retreat is not quite the same as a standard holiday; it will enable you to work on your inner world as well as your outer reality.

Relaxation sessions during your retreat will help you find out what makes you relax, discover new ways to de-stress and recognise signs of stress. These are tools that you can keep and come back to when you are at home.

If you find it impossible to silence your mind and you’re always thinking of the next thing you need to do, then a retreat gives you a great opportunity to stop over-thinking it all.

Use your retreat to turn off all the noise from your own voice, and open yourself to a more positive way of thinking. Meditation is often part of a retreat programme, and you can speak to your teacher about helping you to harness your thoughts.

On your retreat, you will immerse yourself into a deeper practice, as the environment and sessions are more regular and up to twice a day.

If you struggle to find time to practice yoga in your everyday life, then being able to practice with a great teacher every day without distraction will advance your skills dramatically.

Even the most seasoned yoga practitioner can deepen their practice on retreat and aim to reach the next level.

Yoga is more than just poses, and going on retreat can teach you more about the philosophy, feelings and types of yoga. You’ll be given a chance to connect more deeply with yourself, and understand more about this ancient art.

One of the most surprising benefits of going on a retreat are the benefits that your health can reap.

According to a study published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal, retreats including yoga, meditation, Qi Gong, breathing techniques and exercise can all improve conditions ranging from heart problems, mental health issues and cancer.

The duration of these benefits, although not conclusive, were still shown up to five years later.

One of the loveliest elements of going on a retreat is meeting like-minded people, who are there for the same things as you are, and who share the same interests and values.

You are surrounded by the good vibes and positive energy of the group, and your experience is reinforced.

Every retreat is a totally different experience; even if you’ve been on a yoga retreat before, it doesn’t mean ‘you’ve done it’.

Each place and group of people is different, creating a special unique experience.