It’s been a tough year and we’ve all had our ups and downs during such an unprecedented time. COVID-19 has caused each of us some level of mental exhaustion, whether from feeling isolated, an unwell family member, going through a breakup, being furloughed or increased work stress. We’ve all had our own unique experiences and now that we can see a small speck of light at the end of the tunnel, you might be thinking of ways to reward yourself, get away from busy everyday life, switch off, refresh and recuperate. What better way to do this than go to a yoga retreat, especially if you have recently picked yoga up as a hobby during lockdown?
In this blog, we will answer your burning question of ‘what are yoga retreats?’ as well as outlining the benefits of yoga retreats, what to expect from one and a selection of the yoga retreats that we offer.
What Are Yoga Retreats?
The term ‘retreat’ has become more and more common over the years in the yoga community across the world. Going on a retreat is a decision to temporarily withdraw from everyday life, step away from life’s challenges that prevent us from gaining internal peace and reconnect with your unique perspective.
A yoga retreat, in particular, is a retreat that you can go on to refresh, recuperate and rejuvenate through practicing yoga, meditation, massage and other mindful activities in order to enhance your physical and mental health and wellbeing. A yoga retreat is designed to help you focus on a higher mental state in addition to practicing physical movements and breathing. Attending a yoga retreat should help you relieve stress, calm any negative emotions you might be feeling and sculpt your figure into a lean, flexible and strong body.
What To Expect From A Yoga Retreat
If you’re thinking of booking a yoga retreat, chances are you’re not completely sure of what it could involve. Other than the fact you’ll be doing yoga, you’ll be experiencing a lot more than that. It’s likely to push you out of your comfort zone and put you in a situation where you have to spend time with lots of new people in a new place, causing slight feelings of anxiety and apprehension.
Don’t worry, this is completely natural. It’s key to remember that you’ll be in the same boat as everyone else, and that it’s best to approach it with an open mind and embrace all the opportunities and challenges. That’s how you’re going to get the most out of it, and we can guarantee, you’ll come away feeling transformed.
To give you an idea, we’ve listed a few things you can expect from a yoga retreat:
Experience Positive Transformations
The whole point of a yoga retreat is to experience dramatic improvements in your mental and physical wellbeing. Yoga involves practicing postures, flows, breathing techniques and meditation, which all greatly benefit your mind, body and soul.
Classes that you attend on a yoga retreat will be led by an experienced instructor, who will help you transcend your limitations and bring out positive transformations.
Improve Your Lifestyle
Not only will you be physically benefitting from practicing yoga, but you’ll also adopt a healthy diet, eating and drinking things packed full of vitamins and minerals that are designed to make you feel energised and good on the inside. A healthy body is a healthy mind.
A yoga retreat will most likely give you healthy meals that you may never have the time to prepare back at home. Plus, they’re all ideas and motivations that you can take back with you to your friends and family, ensuring that you’ll carry on with this newly adopted healthy lifestyle and get the most value out of your yoga retreat. Furthermore, meal times will be a great way to get to know your fellow yogis on your retreat break.
Be Part Of An Amazing Community
A yoga retreat will give you the opportunity to make new friends that have the same passions and mindsets as you. It’s the chance to form life-long connections with the people you meet, and you can stay in touch with them through social media, telephone or email. They could even be your new pen pal!
Connecting with like-minded people will give you a new group to learn from and grow alongside. You can share advice and stories, and take part in classes and challenges together. It is a safe space, where you can be yourself and become the best version of yourself.
Embrace New Opportunities
Going on a yoga retreat is the perfect opportunity to try something new. Whether you’re trying to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, tick off a New Year’s resolution or take your lockdown passion to the next level, there is a retreat perfectly suited to you. It’s the chance to learn more about yoga, and about yourself. You can try different classes and find out your likes and dislikes. You can learn about mindfulness, and how to practice it every day. You can taste organic, local produce, and maybe change your taste buds forever. Yoga retreats provide days of new opportunities, and their impact can last a lifetime.
Go On A Digital Detox
Booking a yoga retreat is an opportunity for you to turn off your phone, stay away from social media and get away from everyday life. You can cut down on blue light exposure, and avoid the pressures of Instagram and Facebook, while giving your body and mind the attention it deserves. We are constantly made aware of how much time we spend on our phones, whether for work or socially. Yoga retreats give you something else to focus on, and let you tune in to what you really want and need. It’s a chance to embrace nature, read a book or truly focus on yourself.
Explore A Beautiful Location
Yoga retreats are in some of the most beautiful places across the globe. Visiting allows you to clear your mind and nourish your body in a space that is peaceful and perfect. While travelling abroad is difficult at the moment, some of the best yoga retreats are right here in the UK. You can experience the white beaches of Dover or the fresh country air of Yorkshire.
Relax And Rejuvenate
Most importantly of all, a yoga retreat will allow you to take a step back from everyday life. It’s your break from work, family, the news, and anything else that might be making you feel stressed or pressured. Meditation, massages and mindfulness will help you to nourish your mind, body and spirit. A few days is all that you’ll need to feel fresh and ready to get back to business. The benefits you reap will stay with you for weeks, and even longer if you continue to practice what you’ve learned.
The Benefits Of Yoga Retreats
The advantages of yoga retreats are endless, a few of which are below:
Escape From Reality
First and foremost, yoga retreats allow you to leave your home and enter a space designed with the sole purpose of engendering peace and positivity. You can physically and consciously leave reality behind as you journey away from sources of daily stress and concern. A huge part of this escape from reality is mental. Meditation, mindfulness and other yoga practices will give you an inward focus. You can work on positive affirmations, and manifest the life you want rather than the reality you currently live.
Physical Benefits
While yoga is a form of meditation, it is also an effective way to exercise. A yoga retreat can educate you on best practices, and over time you will reap the countless physical benefits. You can experience increased flexibility, muscle strength and tone, and improved athletic performance. Further physical benefits can influence your medical health. Yoga can improve respiration, energy levels and circulation. It is also beneficial in preventing future injury, as it strengthens your lower body and makes you less prone to falls.
Mental Benefits
Yoga has extraordinary mental benefits. It engenders mental clarity and calmness, relaxing the mind and reducing stress. It also sharpens concentration, and increases your sense of body awareness. Many of the mental benefits of yoga can be achieved while on a yoga retreat. Continued practice allows you to bring this sense of well-being into your daily life.
A Selection Of Our Yoga Retreats UK
If you feel that you would benefit from going on a yoga retreat, we have a selection that you can consider booking in the UK (once this is all over) that are suitable for all ages and abilities.
The Tree Relaxation Retreat
Located in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, and open year round, The Tree is the perfect escape from the stress and pressure of the new normal. Your body will be strengthened with yoga, your mind calmed with fresh country air, and your spirit lightened by the peaceful village of Rosedale Abbey. Thorough pamper treatments and delicious, locally sourced food will ensure that you leave the guesthouse with a new lease on life.
Mellulah Yoga Retreats
This award-winning yoga and meditation retreat UK caters to all levels of experience, providing a space that will bring you peace, healing and stillness. Mellulah Yoga Retreat is located in beautiful Dorset where you can perform yoga, meditation, mindfulness and sound healing. You will also have the opportunity to join workshops and talks, and participate in a wide range of holistic and Ayurvedic therapies. Keep your eyes peeled for retreat dates throughout the year, as well as weekly classes and Wellbeing Days.
Exclusive Juice Detox, Yoga and Healing Retreat at Belvoir Castle
A luxurious and exclusive stay in the 5* Healing Retreat of the gorgeous Belvoir Castle, by personal invitation of Kate Tyler, the Duchess of Rutland. You will receive a complete holistic experience with world renowned healers, teachers and therapists. With a huge range of daily classes and educational talks, and freshly-prepared organic food, your stay will cleanse, detoxify and rebalance both body and mind.
Combe Grove
With comfortable rooms, a tranquil setting and outstanding natural views, Combe Grove is perfect for restoring balance. Guests have access to the indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, steam room, spa, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, fully equipped gym, woodland walks and a purpose-built yoga hall with heated flooring. There is truly something for everyone, making it the ideal space for beginners and experts alike to feast on a curated menu of locally sourced food, and breathe.
How Can The Retreat Company Help You?
We hope that this guide answers all of your questions about yoga retreats and their benefits on your mental and physical wellbeing. Our selection of yoga retreats and holidays have everything from yoga retreats for beginners to enhanced focused yoga. Whether you are looking for pure yoga, or yoga as part of a wider retreat programme, there will be a yoga retreat perfect for you.
We understand that it’s not possible at the moment to attend one, but we advise you to start thinking about how you could treat yourself after this very stressful time. You can at least bookmark a yoga retreat to revisit in the future. If you need any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling us on (0)116 259 9211 or emailing us at enquiries@theretreatcompany.co.uk – we hope to hear from you soon!
