Choosing the best yoga holiday for you
A yoga holiday is a great way to improve your yoga practice while recharging your batteries in a new location.
With everyone from specialist yoga centres to activity holiday providers offering yoga breaks, choosing the right program can seem a daunting task. Setting clear objectives before you book will make sure the holiday is the right yoga holiday for you.
Do holidays beat a retreat?
While they may sound the same, a yoga retreat and a yoga holiday are vastly different.
Yoga holidays are often in holiday resorts and beachside locations. A yoga holiday will usually include a few hours of yoga classes per day, with plenty of time for other activities. A yoga holiday is a great option if you’re new to yoga, or would like time for sightseeing as well as practising yoga during your stay.
If you choose a yoga retreat, yoga will be the main focus and activity of your break. Expect several hours of yoga practice per day, as well as meditation and the chance to book specialist workshops and one-on-one sessions. Yoga retreats are often in remote locations, offering the ideal environment to focus on body and mind. A yoga retreat is a great way to deepen yoga practice and refresh you on a spiritual and physical level.
Specialist yoga centre or activity holiday?
Yoga holidays are often run by activity holiday operators at popular holiday destinations. While holiday resorts might not offer the authentic chill-out experience promised by yoga retreats, the range of facilities on offer can be a big plus if you’re planning on doing more than practice yoga during your stay.
Specialist yoga centres that have run dedicated yoga programs for several years run most yoga retreats. While accommodation options and non-yoga related facilities are sometimes limited, specialist yoga centres offer the chance to work with highly experienced teachers and are the best choice if you’re serious about taking your yoga practice to the next level.
Picking a destination
Choosing where and when to go will largely depend on your budget and how much time you have.
Plenty of weekend and short yoga breaks available at specialist yoga centres across the UK, USA and Canada. Booking a short break close to home is an ideal option for anyone looking to try a yoga retreat for the first time. While they might not promise year-round sun, sea and sand, specialist yoga centres are often located in stunning locations offering much needed peace and relaxation.
If you’re hoping to get away during the winter, destinations such as India, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica and Thailand offer a great range of courses with the added bonus of guaranteed sunshine. Travelling in the summer opens up the choice of established yoga destinations in Europe such as Ibiza and the Greek Islands.
For yoga holidays in Portugal and lessons in the UK visit Orange Tree Yoga.
