| What could be nicer than a few days spent | | | | you do around the retreat. For example you help |
| relaxing and chilling on a yoga vacation, away | | | | out around the retreat as part of your daily |
| from friends, family and colleagues? Just you and | | | | schedule. This may involve assisting in the kitchen, |
| the other yoga vacationers... | | | | sweeping and cleaning the temples, welcoming |
| If you are a yoga beginner, chances are you | | | | new guests or shopping. If you are looking for a |
| have heard other yoga student's talk about their | | | | hands on retreat this may be ideal for you. But if |
| latest yoga trip and how much they enjoy | | | | you prefer to have a complete break from |
| practicing yoga whilst taking time to relax and | | | | domestic duties then obviously you may not |
| unwind. Before jumping in and booking your first | | | | enjoy your vacation if you end up cooking |
| yoga retreat, take a few moments and make | | | | serving lunch for 50 people. |
| sure you avoid committing the following mistakes. | | | | 4. Extra Therapies. Most retreats offer you |
| It can make all the difference between having a | | | | massage and other complementary therapies. |
| truly wonderful holiday or the holiday from hell. | | | | When making your enquiries, ask if all therapists |
| Five Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Your Trip | | | | are qualified and insured. Check if you have to |
| 1. Do your homework. There are many different | | | | pay extra for complementary therapies or if they |
| types of retreat to choose from. Are you looking | | | | are included as part of the overall package. Some |
| for a traditional family holiday package with a | | | | retreats allow you to have, for example, two |
| yoga class or two thrown in or do you wish to | | | | free therapies and you pay for any others. Don't |
| combine your vacation with yoga? There is a | | | | be caught short and miss out on the opportunity |
| difference. Are you looking for a very structured | | | | of trying out a new massage therapy. |
| timetable of yoga classes available or would you | | | | 5. Clothing. Whilst this may sound silly. Check out |
| prefer a more relaxed approach and have the | | | | what style of clothing is allowed on your retreat. |
| choice of whether or not to attend a class? | | | | Some retreats are very traditional and would |
| Would you like to have the opportunity to attend | | | | expect you to cover up and wear tee-shirts and |
| a retreat where they offer different styles of | | | | long pants; even if you travel to a hot climate, |
| yoga? Are you looking to go deeper into your | | | | because of local customs. You may be |
| existing practice or even try out a new style of | | | | discouraged from practicing yoga in shorts or a |
| yoga? Some retreats offer one type of yoga | | | | bikini. Likewise, if you are going on a more spiritual |
| whilst others offer a range of styles. | | | | retreat, you may be expected to cover your hair |
| 2. Location. They say location is everything. This | | | | if you are a woman. Rather than assert your |
| holds true for your yoga vacation. Do you fancy | | | | independence when you get there, it is far better |
| practising yoga by the sea, up in the mountains, in | | | | to find out what the local customs and dress |
| a hot country, do you like the sun or do you | | | | code of your retreat is beforehand. |
| prefer a cooler climate? Are you good at mixing | | | | At the end of the day, a yoga retreat vacation is |
| and trying out different cultures or would you | | | | supposed to offer you the chance to rest and |
| prefer to go on a retreat where the environment | | | | unwind and let go of stress. You want to enjoy |
| and cultures are similar to what you know? | | | | your holiday and come home rested, so spending |
| 3. Karma Yoga. Some retreats expect you to | | | | time checking out the above mistakes will help |
| take part in Karma Yoga activities. Basically | | | | you have a happy and relaxed yoga holiday. |
| Karma Yoga is voluntary work, selfless service | | | | |