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You’ve been to a couple of yoga classes and probably also have done some masterclasses, and now you want to get more serious about your yoga development. The decision is made, for your next vacation, you are going away on a yoga retreat.
Here are some answers to some of the questions you might ask yourself.

Yoga retreat or yoga vacation?

While the difference between yoga vacations and yoga retreats is not always lucid, (every now and then, even the organizers have not thought enough about how to exactly name their course), there is quite a diversity in terms of focal point and general feel or atmosphere Generally speaking, a yoga vacation is primarily an activity holiday. The time dedicated daily to yoga usually won’t exceed four hours, in one, or perhaps two daily classes, and you will have a lot of time for other activities or just to unwind and take it easy.

The scene should show this, with a beach or other noteworthy attractions close by. The mood is often relaxed, and it is usually a opportunity to run into other like-minded people. On a retreat, on the other hand, the yoga program is likely to be more intense, possibly together with some meditation, times of silence, etc. The major 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 tranquil, possibly remote location. Retreats should be fully residential, the food vegetarian, and meal times carefully thought out to fit effortlessly 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 leave rather than a yoga retreat may be the best option for your first time doing yoga away from home.

Going by yourself, or bring a friend?

Going by yourself is not a problem. In fact, the vast majority of people going on yoga course go on their own. The shortcoming to going on your own is that you might have to share a room with one or more complete strangers, but at least, you will know that, like you, they have a keen interest in yoga, and great friendships are frequently formed on yoga vacations. If you decide not to go on your own, pick your companion(s) carefully. A few yoga centres will welcome guests who don’t do yoga, but often, and surely in the case of a retreat, yoga should be a shared interest with your upcoming travel buddy, 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 leave market is now becoming more and more competitive, and main stream travel agents are moving in, sometimes with catastrophic results. Unlike yoga teachers and dedicated venues, they do not every time recognize the particular requirements of what is still for most parts a niche market. Complaints about such novices to the yoga vacation market, who repeatedly have operated with success in other branches of the tourist trade such as arranging seminars or other types of package holidays, are their lack of insight of the specificity of the yoga market, above all in relation to diet (vegetarian and vegan options are not always offered) and the inaptness of the venues chosen, which are often big, soulless resorts, sometimes shared with a crowd of raucous intoxicated (as happened to me in Thailand a few years ago).

All this is not very advantageous to peace of mind, so it is best to steer clear of large operators and stick with small, devoted venues. There are many to choose from all over the world, and new ones are sprouting up far and wide 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 many 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 placed on the beach, these venues are chosen for their peace and are far more suited to the practice of yoga than large tourist resorts.

What approach, what coach?

Perhaps more imperative than the place is the coach and the method 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, certainly, is to choose a teacher 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 teacher beforehand. If this is not possible, you might find some useful information on the Internet, as most established coaches now have websites.

This should at least give you an idea of who they are and of whether their technique of instructing (and style of yoga) will agree with you. If nothing else, don’t be afraid to ask the coach such questions as who they studied with, how long they have been training and how long they have been teaching yoga.

Try to ring rather than email, as you’ll get a far better clue over the phone. Tell the instructor about your yoga experience, level of fitness and your expectation for the retreat so they can advise you right on aptness. Usually they don’t want to be caught with the wrong student any more that you want to be stuck with the wrong coach, so they will advise you honestly. It is also suggested to try the method 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?

Check 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 find a yoga retreat?

Have a look at the http://yogafitnessblog.com/ yoga retreats listing.