How to choose the right retreat for you

Sometimes you simply need to unplug and take a step back.

“A retreat away from responsibilities and distractions are the perfect conditions to lean into your inner world.”

But how do you choose the one that is right for you?

I think there are many different types of retreatants and plenty of retreat organisers catering for all of them. Important when taking your choice is to be clear on what it is you want to get out of it and choosing the right timing.

Turns out your self-care journey starts way before you arrive at the destination (or your computer if you chose a virtual ‘get-away’).

Virtual vs. away from home

Can a virtual retreat really compete with the real thing? I do believe so, but what it comes down to is how easily distracted you get. Be really honest with yourself before you book.

Can you turn off that phone and resist the urge to just hit the snooze button at home? If you can’t then there’s your answer. Although virtual retreats tend to be more on the affordable side, if you end up not using it, then you still have spent money you could have instead used towards saving up for the IRL version.

A good testing ground are free trials, for example a virtual yoga membership. Most digital gyms and studios these days offer a 7- or 14-day trial period. If you can stick to it easily then a virtual retreat could be just the right thing for you!

Body vs. mind

These by no means exclude each other, but if you are looking for spiritual growth your search will hugely differ from a body-transformation-type-bootcamp for example. 

When looking for something that combines the two, you will have to decide which of the two is of more importance and make that the primary search criteria. Bearing in mind that spirituality has seen a huge surge in popularity, it is now added to a lot of fitness bootcamps as part of their offering. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s their area of expertise though.

Yoga is an exception. This ancient practice which means loosely translated from Sanskrit ‘Union’, does not focus solely on the soul nor the body, but also the mind. The mind, which stands between the body and the soul, is neither completely internal nor completely external. If seeking for spiritual growth, then a yoga retreat which offers also meditation, sound baths, breathwork or any other modality that helps you reach trance-like or deeply meditative states is a really good starting point for those looking to go deep.

Intense vs. light

This is probably the hardest one to get right as it’s difficult to predict until you’ve tried it out. My advice here is twofold: either you start gentle and work your way up over the years testing where your limits are; Or you jump on a call with the retreat organisers to have an honest conversation. A good retreat host will be able to tell you honestly if it’s for you and probably recommend that you attend their classes a few times before booking.

Most importantly, always carefully read through the itinerary. If a 6am wake-up is something that makes you shiver, but requires your commitment, then it’s best you continue your search…

Alone vs. in company

There is so much beauty in both. Sharing the experiences and possible transformation with someone else close to you can be amazing and sometimes also easier on the wallet (when sharing a room for example). However, there is a time and place for solo travelling too.

My experience has been that it always works itself out beautifully. Whenever I wouldn’t find anyone to join me, it ended up being just what I needed and vice versa that one friend who ended up joining was the best I could’ve asked for!

If you’re not sure (but want to be) meditation and journaling will help you to get the clarity. The answer is there somewhere, it might just need some space to come to you. A piece of advice I would like to give in this context is to never let yourself be pushed into a corner or rushed for a decision. Retreats are a significant investment and something that shouldn’t be booked on a whim.  

Full itinerary vs. flexible itinerary

Do you prefer to be told what to do and when? Or maybe you just want to go into most days with a lot of free time because that’s exactly what you lack in your day to day life?

If there’s only one class a day, but you’re looking to go deep and experience transformation, it’s probably not going to cut it.

Occasionally retreats also offer the opportunity for you to skip some of the activities offered. For example, you might want to attend all the meditation sessions but prefer to go for a walk solo when everyone else is stretching out in the yoga dome…

Don’t be afraid to ask the organisers! More often than not they will be very happy to cater for your needs (and if they don’t then maybe that tells you something about what to expect from their customer care…)

Full board vs. half board

Rule of thumb is that full board ends up costing less than eating out every (with the odd exception abroad, but then you’re paying for the long distance flight). The retreat location will have a big impact on this also. If, for example, you want to take in as much as possible from a new environment than half board or breakfast only might be just for you.

Finally, I always recommend that you check out a class with the teacher/s that are hosting before booking. It also gives you an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the class about the retreat. It will give you a sense if it vibes with you (or not).

One of the great things that has come out of recent changes in how we interact with each other, is that a lot more classes are now available on Zoom. You don’t even need to be in the same city (or country) to get to know new teachers and practitioners.

Now that you know what retreat you would like to attend, why not have a look at our New Beginnings retreat?

Taking place at award-winning Fair Oak Farm in Sussex over the Easter Bank Holiday we are creating a healing space for self-reflection. The schedule includes daily yoga, silent and guided meditations, immersive sound bath experiences, full moon ceremony, star-gazing by the fire and so much more.

Find out more here.