First and foremost, decide what type of experience you want. Long before you book your flight or train, ask yourself what you would like from the retreat.
Is it an exclusively yoga retreat or a retreat that offers yoga along with other.jpg)
activities; a local retreat in your country or an international retreat; a warm beach setting or a cooler environment; a relaxing and pampering spa experience, or even a teacher training retreat?
Practicalities
Once the decision is made you will want to do some preparation before going.
Most retreats supply you with a list of things to bring and finding out if you need to bring a mat and possibly props is important. You will want to take yoga clothing that is light and easy to wash and dries quickly.
It is likely that you will share accommodation but most places allow for a single accommodation upon request.
Let them know ahead of time if you have certain dietary preferences. Food is likely to be mostly vegetarian - vegans should notify the organisers before arrival.
Communication
When you arrive, let the teacher know of any injuries or conditions you have. Also remember there will be various levels of students in the retreat.
There is no need to meet some certain standard just because it is a retreat. Unless you have chosen a retreat for advanced students only, you will be fine as you are.
Pacing yourself
It is important for students of all levels, but especially for beginners, to ease into the yoga practices. If you are a once a week student at home and you are putting yourself into a situation of five days of yoga once or even twice a day, you will want to pace yourself.
If you are sore and exhausted by day three, do give yourself permission to take the morning off at least. This is a holiday from normal life, after all, and meant to rejuvenate not torture you.
Using the internet is the best way today to find the retreat you are looking for. Recommended sites include www.responsibletravel.com, www.ashtanga.com, www.lotusjourneys.com and www.yogalover.com
In her second piece for Yoga Abode, Sharon gives some invaluable advice for yoga teachers planning their first retreats.
Sharon Moon facilitates classes for Skyros Holistic Healing Retreats. She also leads retreats around the world. See especially enjoys seeing students leave retreats with a fresh sense of direction and faith in their own potential. www.moonyoga.com
Image supplied by Lotusjourneys.com
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