I’ll never forget signing up for my first yoga retreat. I’d been practicing on and off for about 15 years: an occasional class at the YMCA, a few favorite videos for home practice, some afternoon workshops at a local studio. But I always wondered about those flyers advertising retreat excursions, tacked to the community bulletin board. It all seemed a little out of reach: peaceful, sure… but could I really spend that long doing nothing but sweating on the mat? And do they air-condition those quaint little huts in the ads? Is there coffee? I’m all for zen, but… y’all. Let’s be real.

When my favorite teacher at the Y shared details about the retreat she was co-hosting, I took the plunge and registered. It was just a long weekend, within driving distance, and I read specific mention of coffee time.

Spoiler alert: one of the best decisions of my life. And now: count me in for ALL the retreats.

So what about you? Are you ready for retreat life? Last year, I started planning my first with a dear friend and fellow teacher, and fielded a lot of the same questions from students:

      Can I handle a whole (weekend/week or more) of yoga? Sounds advanced. Every retreat’s structure is different, for the vast majority I’ve experienced, yoga practice on the mat is an offering once or up to a few times a day, perhaps anchoring the community gathered, but does not cover up the agenda. The rigor of the practice, too, will vary, but a good retreat leader can give you an idea of what kinds of classes will be offered. Perhaps this will be a place to try a new style of class that doesn’t fit into your weekly schedule back home. Maybe you’ll spend up to a few hours a day on the mat, in a mix of practices, but with plenty of free time, too. When you’re investing vacation time for a retreat, you certainly want options for other activities and maybe sightseeing, if you’re retreating somewhere new.

      Speaking of time away, that sounds awfully…quiet. And are they going to collect my phone and laptop at the door? I have experienced an incredible silent retreat at a local convent, where I was encouraged to turn off all outside distractions and even enter into a day-long “vocal rest.” But like other offerings, the chance to unplug is usually optional, so long as your keeping in touch with the outside world isn’t a distraction for other retreatants. Some retreats are specifically geared towards writers and others who’ll need and want to put in some work while away, and offer a unique environment for creativity and developing craft in community with like-minded retreatants.

          Let’s talk food. And do I have to bring a sleeping bag? I’m too old for that whole summer camp experience. Most retreat center kitchens can accommodate a variety of allergies and other dietary needs. A few centers I’ve visited feature cuisine particular to the location or mindset of the center: using fresh produce grown on site, or following a vegetarian lifestyle. It can be a great chance to try something new for a short time, but most will also offer you modifications or a place to store your own food, if needed. I’ve been invited to try “greeting the day with breath instead of caffeine,” but also choose only those retreats who’ll provide my coffee fix on the other side of morning meditation. As for sleeping arrangements, ask about any concerns. Most centers have options for solo rooms, and many are furnished with all you need to rest comfortably.

            Who else will be there? Should I bring a buddy? If you and a friend want to enjoy sharing the experience, by all means: make this a great getaway together. But there’s something to be said, too, for the bravery of going solo. When I’ve signed up alone, I’ve had the freedom to make small talk with strangers when I wanted, but also felt no pressure to be “on.” I had the chance to experience the depth of time alone with my thoughts — something I didn’t have much of at home. Through their enrollment recruiting, good retreat leaders will work to cultivate a group of participants who’ll benefit from each other’s presence.

You may have heard yogis talk about “living your yoga,” and retreats are a terrific way to try on that concept. In a place set apart from the daily grind of work and family obligations, a retreat is where you not only enjoy some of the yoga practice you love back home, but also where you can listen to your body, mind, and spirit’s needs. Set all of that in a location where enjoy visiting, and you’ve got yourself the best kind of vacation.

On that very first retreat I took one November, I carved out a new annual tradition: finding a hammock with a view and opening my journal, scribbling and praying for a word of intention for the new year ahead. Years later, after the end of a relationship and a layoff from a job I’d loved, I chose a yoga retreat again as the safe place to rest — this time at an off-the-grid retreat center on the Baja peninsula. Late one night that week, I wandered down to the beach, sat under the stars, and gave thanks for feeling the most whole I had in months. Between fresh fruit juice on the way to morning yoga, Mexican cooking class, laughing poolside with new friends, and an incredible massage at the in-house spa, I remembered what it was like to really feast on the day with my senses, instead of just surviving my stressful life. When I wasn’t sure I could experience real joy again, retreat time gave me a place to reset, and a taste of something I could learn to cultivate in small ways every day back home.

__