We all want to get away from winter right now; dreaming of escaping the cold and snow to hit the beach and, maybe, throw in a few sun salutations. But before booking your next (or perhaps first) spot at a yoga retreat, it may be wise to ask yourself, just what is a yoga retreat, and what do I expect from it?
What is a Yoga Retreat?
The core purpose of any yoga retreat is immersion. You are providing yourself a unique opportunity to dive into the heart of your practice and deepen your knowledge of the traditions and techniques of yoga as well as your understanding and connection with your body and your mind.
In this sense, one should approach a yoga retreat, especially destination yoga retreats to tropical paradises, with a few things in mind. However tempting it is to view your retreat as a party week (with yoga thrown in as detox aid), you will get more out of the experience if you bring the right mindset with you.
Indeed, yoga retreats provide an opportunity for you to unplug and re-sensitize to stillness and quiet. Challenge yourself to keep your cell phone and laptop buried at the bottom of your suitcase, and notice how different your travel experience will be.
Retreat: Running Away from or Towards?
The idea of a yoga retreat can be a bit deceptive. It all sounds so ideal — yoga and meditation; healthy vegetarian food; sea, sand and surf — but do not be tempted to treat it like a trip to Club Med. While you may be taking a break, or literally, retreating from your daily grind, any serious yoga retreat will take you on a journey deep inside the particular issues and stresses you are currently dealing with.
So while you may be geographically farther away from your problems, in reality a successful yoga retreat with bring you face to face with your challenges, so that you can move past them.
Early to Bed, Early to Rise
Preparation is key. In addition to your yoga mat, yoga towel and yoga pants, you might need to pack a few more “supplies,” of a type that weigh nothing at all: a good supply of energy.
Try to get yourself on the sleep regimen of the yoga retreat a good one to two weeks before you go. This is advisable especially if you usually operate on a late-to-bed, late-to-rise schedule.
Yoga retreats mainly follow traditional yogic practices of going to bed quiet early, usually around 9pm, and then getting up for your morning yoga practice at 5am. It will be much to your advantage to prepare yourself for this sleeping pattern well in advance, especially if you are going for a short stay.
Expect the Unexpected
Many times, yoga has a funny way of giving us what we need, though this may not necessarily be what we wanted or had hoped for.
The same can be said about an intensive yoga retreat. Be aware of your expectations and goals, yet hold them ever so lightly. If you do end up working with, and working out the aspects of your yoga practice that you may have planned, wonderful.
But if you end up without a resolution for your current marital issue, or not mastering your handstands, remember that is the ultimate lesson of your yoga practice: move with intention, but be receptive to whatever actually happens.