Why Yoga Retreats are Better than Regular Holidays
March 13, 2019
The go-to resource for planning your yoga retreats & holidays. Find all you need to know about destinations and take your practice to the next level.
Discover Yoga Retreats now
The popularity of yoga retreats are undoubtedly on the rise. This is perhaps because they represent some time well-spent to maintain balance in a world that has, in a sense, has gone out of control in terms of mindfulness and time deprivation.
People across the globe are increasingly realizing that a “time out” is becoming a necessity and that yoga retreats are a superb response to handling stress and its myriad of effects.
It offers the perfect answer to that dream of ‘escaping’ from everything and everyone – even for a little while.
The abundance of retreats popping up globally is a clear indicator that many of us are just are not able to keep up with the speed of life. We are suffering from an emotional disconnect and wondering “what is my life all about?”. This, in turn, may lead to a host of issues including fatigue, ill health, broken relationships, and so forth.
For me, going on a yoga retreat is an important part in tackling these issues. It is an antidote that heals the body, mind and spirit. A yoga retreat is an essential space to keep connected to what matters and to check in with on how my life is really going.
With that, Here are some of the top reasons why I believe going on a retreat is so much better than going on a ‘regular’ holiday:
1. It allows us to take a (much needed) break
At a yoga retreat, you get the opportunity to completely stop the hectiness of life as you know it. Gone are the days that you appear to always be running out of time.
Time, that powerful force that seems so scarce these days, is given to you like a rare and priceless gift during a retreat.
Is taking a break from the hustle bustle of life something you’ve been craving for a while and it’s getting more intense lately?
If so, what are you waiting for? Don’t give yourself the chance to regret not listening to your inner voice.
2. It’s 100% ALL about you
A yoga retreat will help you focus inward and purely work on your wellbeing.
This time is all about you. There’s no need to do things for someone else, no having to meet deadlines or appointments.
All pressure is lifted to allow the person you want to be to shine through. It is doing what you want to do, when you want to do it. And how often do you get this chance?
3. It gives us time for self-reflection
Having precious time to yourself creates space for you to take a deep look into your life. From who is in it to what you are doing, in all areas of your life.
It gives you time to be honest with yourself and reflect on whether this precious life of yours just as you want it.
Do you want to change something but never seem to have the space to find clarity and take action?
Deep appreciation and gratitude for life are the natural ingredients of reflection which you will be able to delve into while you’re at a yoga retreat.
4. It allows you to hit the ‘reset button’
A yoga retreat allows space for balance and harmony.
If you often find yourself not being yourself on a daily basis due to pressure, anxiety, and/or stress, a retreat is a perfect way to allow the kind, loving, compassionate, zesty, alive human being that you naturally are come through.
5. You’ll be able to properly rest
Having the time to properly rest is critical to your wellbeing. It’s anti-ageing and allows you to see things more clearly and more mindfully. When you are fully rested you can see, hear and feel life with much more clarity and pleasure.
6. It will deepen your yoga practice & knowledge
No matter where you are at your practice, you will be able to take it to a whole new level with the guidance and support of professionals.
Moreover, yoga facilitates all of the points I’ve shared above. It is the perfect way to balance your physical body with your internal physiology, and brings endless ways to nurture peace and equilibrium.
7. It can improve your health
Holidays often encourage overindulgence with food and booze in particular, whereas a retreat is focused more on health.
Many retreats even offer cleansing programs such as various detox. It will give you the chance to let go of bad eating habits and establish a healthier diet. You will learn new ways to improve your nutrition as well as find out how you can maintain a healthy dietary routine and inevitably improve your overall physical health.
8. You’ll get to make like-minded friends
You tend to meet more like-minded people on a retreat than on a ‘regular’ sight seeing holiday.
Yoga and other aspects of it such as meditation, tend to gather the spiritually curious or those seeking a deeper connection with themselves. A yoga retreat can be a really amazing (and fun) way to meet new friends for life!
Still not convinced that retreats are better than ordinary holidays? Why not get a taste of it & find out for yourself on a weekend or short yoga retreat?