How to pick a wellness retreat
Afternoon snacks
I’m a huge fan of wellness retreats.
There is something so revitalising about stepping away from reality and living an almost utopian existence, even if just for a week. In my mind, retreats are the human equivalent of rebooting your hard drive. By the time you head home, your nervous system seems to be wired properly again.
I consider myself to be a Pilates girl more so than a Yoga girl, but I would always gravitate towards a Yoga retreat over anything else. Why? Well, for starters, the vast majority of wellness retreats are organised by Yoga teachers. That means that there are loads to choose from. If you live in the UK or Europe, you can basically pick any destination and any week of the summer and there will be a Yoga retreat being hosted there.
The pool
Second, Yogis tend to be the most open-hearted, welcoming lot. This is particularly reassuring if you are going on a retreat solo (which I highly recommend doing). I guarantee that within 48 hours of arriving at a Yoga retreat, the other guests will feel like your long lost siblings. You’ll get to know them better in a week or so than you know friends you’ve had for decades. Equally, Yogis love to spend time alone. So nobody would bat an eyelid if you announced that you wanted some solitude. I’ve even been on retreats where we could chose to be silent all day by wearing a badge.
So how do you pick the right retreat for you? Given most people have limited annual leave, and retreats can be expensive (although in my opinion they are often a cheap holiday when factoring in that meals, accommodation and activities are often included), it’s understandable that you would want to pick “the right one.” I think probably what makes a retreat “the right one” has more to do with your mindset than anything, but here are my top tips:
Look for retreats run by yoga teachers that you know (and like) or know of. Familiarity with your teacher is going to have a huge impact on a) how much you enjoy the classes offered on retreat and b) whether you feel comfortable during your trip. Ask your teachers in Spring if they are planning retreats, or if they know of any good ones.
Know in advance how relaxed or regimented you want your retreat to be. Some people love a bootcamp style retreat, where everything is planned and the expectation is that you participate in everything. If however, like me, you hate being told what to do, you might prefer a more relaxed retreat, where nobody minds if you nap all afternoon and rock up just in time for dinner. Once you know this, check out the retreat information and ask the organiser what the vibe is to make sure its the right fit.
Don’t worry about how “good at Yoga” you are. First of all, there’s no such thing as being good at Yoga. Second, every retreat I’ve been on has had beginners. The last retreat I went on was in June and I was the only pregnant person in the group. I could barely do any of the asanas and it really didn’t bother me. No one is going to care, notice or remember if you can do a headstand.
Go alone. I eluded to this above but I really do think that you will get 10000% more out of a retreat if you leave your friends and boyfriend at home. There is something so freeing about being completely who you want to be around people who know nothing about you. Yes, it’s nerve wracking, especially arriving and meeting everyone. But that initial feeling of discomfort will last about as long as a popsicle in the Spanish sun.
Bring your essentials if you can. I don’t go anywhere without coffee, tea, peanut butter, my laptop and my AirPods. Make sure you bring the things that make you feel settled and comfortable so you don’t spend the week feeling irritable. If you’re unsure about packing something, just pack it.
Leave the judgment at home. Of others and of yourself. Go with an open heart. Some of the group will have annoying dietary preferences, some will have strong views on capitalism, and there will definitely be an eco-warrior or two. I once went on a retreat with a girl who believed water had feelings. Chances are these people are not judging you (for being a meat eating, free-economy supporting plastic user), even though you think they are, so try not to judge them back as a defence mechanism. Listen to their views and use it as an opportunity to widen your own perspective.
Morning meditation on the roof
In short, if you are in a fortunate enough position to be able to book a retreat this summer, just do it! I can even recommend you one. In June I went on a week long retreat just outside of Barcelona, hosted by my friend Sarah Lawlor, who is an amazing London based Yoga teacher. It was the absolute perfect mix of relaxation, beautiful food, carefree Yoga, pool time and laughter (see my photos below). The retreat was such a success that Sarah is repeating it in September! Go and reserve a spot, I promise you won’t regret it!
Emma x
