Hi and happiest of Fridays! Let’s talk about fun stuff today…like vacations!

I have been so fortunate to go on an annual yoga retreat for the last three years. Through blogging about my experiences with the retreats, I have received many reader questions about how to find yoga and fitness retreats so I thought I’d write a post with a few recommendations about how to find them and things to consider.

Here are some tips about retreats along with a few suggested resources to check out if you are ready to book a trip.

Take the plunge…even if you don’t know anyone!

I want to start by encouraging you to take the plunge! If a fitness or yoga retreat is something that interests you…go for it! It’s such an amazing way to get away, experience something new and meet new people. The trips I have been on the last three years have been through one of the studios I am affiliated with here in Charlotte so I typically know most of the people on the trip but each year we have had people join us who are not regular students of the studio. We always all end up like one big family at the end. It’s an incredible bonding experience.

Most retreats offer single or double occupancy lodging options and they will partner you with someone if you are coming solo. Alternatively, it’s super fun to do this type of trip with a friend so you could always recruit someone to do it with you.

Decide what you’re looking for.

Trip experiences and daily itinerary can widely vary from super serious with every second planned to no pressure take what you want and leave what you don’t. For example, some yoga retreats are total escapes where although you’re in a beautiful locale you might be restricted from drinks and served up a lot of green juice and meditation instead. While with others, there’s more of a social aspect included. The trip that I go on every year has a morning and evening yoga practice. Both are totally optional and you’re not made to feel bad if you skip out in favor of sleeping in or extra beach time. We typically hang out on the beach/by the pool during the day and have a few cocktails and then do group dinners at night. You can really make it as serious or low-key as you’d like, depending on the trip you choose.

I can’t stress enough to really do your research on this aspect of the trip.

Rustic or luxury? And budget.

Trip locations range from more rustic yoga facilities that might not have AC or electricity to luxury resorts. Decide what appeals more to you and what fits in your budget.

Style.

Are you looking for a booty-kicking fitness retreat, power yoga or meditation and restorative practice. Make sure the instructor and class formats match what you want from the trip.

Vacation or training?

Most retreats just feature led classes every day but when it comes to yoga, you can actually do your 200-hour teacher training as a retreat…so consider that option if you’re thinking about teacher training.

Consider the travel required.

While exotic retreats in Bali sound amazing…direct flights to Mexico or the Caribbean work a little better for my budget and lifestyle. One of the things I love most about the retreat I go on every year is that it’s always a direct flight from Charlotte and less than four hours of travel…which is really nice for a four night/five day drip. That said, there are many trips that are seven nights or even longer!

Ask questions.

This is a major investment of time and funds. Ask all the questions you need to in order to feel like you’re making the best decision for you.

A few suggestions.

Yoga

– Michael Gannon is a friend/fellow teacher who owns a yoga studio in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. He offers regular retreats and teacher trainings in Playa.
– Bryan Kest (the founder of power yoga…and a really cool laid back dude) has a retreat in Tulum in August.
– Tiffany Crushnik has a 200 hour teacher training in Tulum in October.
– David Regelin does an annual retreat in Tulum (quite the hot spot for retreats…). He is a New York City based teacher who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and practicing with and he’s awesome.
– Core Power Yoga does annual retreats.
– Email me if you’d like information on our annual retreat and I’ll put you on the mailing list

And I also just recommend that you look around in your local community and see if any of the studios offer retreats.

Fitness

I was recently introduced to Ketanga Fitness Retreats via the founder, Rosalind. They have some really great trips coming up in the next couple of months and more will be announced for later in the year. I am kind of dying to try out one of these retreats. The April Costa Rica trip is HIIT focused and includes sports conditioning, surfing, and sand castles with former NFL player, Coach Curtis Williams. And the May Cancun trip is more functional fitness focused and features a fusion of different workout styles so there is something for everyone with Coach Jay Lippa.

Rosalind was really kind to offer my readers a $100 discount on a retreat with code PBR100. Let us know if you have any questions!

And maybe soon I will plan one of my own for y’all! It would be a fitness and yoga extravaganza! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Have you been on a fitness or yoga retreat? Is it something you’d be up for trying? What’s your dream destination?