You’ve attended some yoga classes and possibly also have done a couple of masterclasses, and now you want to get a little bit more serious about your yoga development. The decision is made, for your next vacation, you are going away on a yoga course.
Here are some answers to a few questions you might ask yourself.
Yoga retreat or yoga vacation?
While the variation between yoga vacations and yoga retreats is not always lucid, (from time to time, even the agencies have not thought enough about how to correctly name their course), there is quite a distinction in terms of focal point and general impression or atmosphere Generally speaking, a yoga vacation is primarily an activity vacation. The time committed daily to yoga usually will not exceed four hours, in one, or perhaps two daily classes, and you will have a lot of time for other activities or just to loosen up and take it easy.
The scene should reflect this, with a beach or other important attractions close by. The surroundings is often tranquil, and it is usually a grand to encounter other like-minded people. On a retreat, on the other hand, the yoga agenda is likely to be more concentrated, possibly together with some meditation, times of silence, etc. The prime focus is no longer to enjoy yourself on holiday, but to deepen your yoga practice.
Again, the choice of location should reflect this, with a peaceful, possibly remote location. Retreats should be fully residential, the food vegetarian, and meal times carefully thought out to fit smoothly within the daily yoga routine. You will find more ‘hard core’ yogis and yoginis on retreats, and the overall atmosphere can be quite powerful, with much less ‘free’ time. Unless you are quite certain that yoga is your thing, and want to move your practice to the next level, a yoga trip rather than a yoga retreat may be the best choice for your first time doing yoga away from home.
Going by yourself, or bring a buddy?
Going on your own is not a problem. In fact, the vast majority of people going on yoga course go on their own. The negative aspect to going on your own is that you might have to share a room with one or more absolute strangers, but at least, you will know that, like you, they have a keen interest in yoga, and great friendships are often formed on yoga courses. If you decide not to go on your own, choose your companion(s) carefully. A few yoga centres will welcome guests who don’t do yoga, but in most cases, and definitely in the case of a retreat, yoga should be a shared interest with your upcoming travel cohort, so if you don’t want to go alone, a yoga pal is a far better choice than your new boyfriend (unless, of course, you met him on a yoga weekend!)
Where and when to go?
The yoga vacation market is now becoming gradually more competitive, and main stream travel agents are moving in, sometimes with unfortunate results. Unlike yoga teachers and committed venues, they do not always comprehend the particular condition of what is still very much a niche market. Complaints about such amateurs to the yoga retreat market, who frequently have operated successfully in other branches of the tourist trade such as arranging seminars or other types of package holidays, are their lack of knowledge of the specificity of the yoga market, especially in relation to diet (vegetarian and vegan options are not always available) and the incompatibility of the venues chosen, which are often big, dismal resorts, sometimes shared with a crowd of loud drunks (as happened to me in Thailand a few years ago).
All this is not very conducive to peace of mind, so it is best to avoid large operators and stick with small, dedicated venues. There are many to choose from all over the world, and new ones are sprouting up everywhere so there’s a large choice of destinations at whichever time of the year!
Sun destinations such as Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy, and the south of France tend to be most prevalent in the European summer while in the winter; India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mexico and the Caribbean tend to be most. There are also a number of other locations which don’t emphasize the ’sun’ part including Norway, Scotland, various parts of England, Ireland, Finland, Canada, Austria to name just a few. Even thought they might not be situated on the beach, these venues are chosen for their quietness and are far more suited to the practice of yoga than large tourist resorts.
What style, what teacher?
Possibly more important than the location is the coach and the style of yoga. Remember you will be stuck with your choice for the duration of the course, so a bit of thinking may be in order. The best, for sure, is to decide on a instructor you have already studied with, conceivably in the situation of weekly classes or a short workshop.
Second best, is to get an opinion from someone who has been on a holiday/retreat with a particular instructor already. If this is not possible, you might find some practical information on the Internet, as most well-known trainers now have websites.
This should at least give you an idea of who they are and of whether their method of instructing (and style of yoga) will suit you. If nothing else, don’t be afraid to ask the coach such questions as who they studied with, how long they have been coaching and how long they have been teaching yoga.
Try to call rather than email, as you’ll get a far better image over the phone. Tell the coach about your yoga experience, level of fitness and your anticipation for the retreat so they can give advice you properly on suitability. Usually they don’t want to be stuck with the wrong learner any more that you want to be stuck with the wrong trainer, so they will advise you honestly. It is also suggested to try the technique of yoga that will be taught as part of the holiday/retreat by taking a few classes in your area, just to be sure that it will suit you, before booking.
What to bring along?
Find out whether you’ll need a yoga mat (if you have your own, it best to bring it anyway in your yoga mat bag). Bring some reading, yogic or not, and don’t forget your practice clothes!
Where to locate a yoga retreat?
Have a look at the http://yogafitnessblog.com/ yoga retreats listing.