We know just how exciting it is to have finally made the decision to take yourself on a self-love, yogic immersive journey somewhere far away from your everyday life.
We also know that, with all the yoga retreats Australia has to offer, deciding which is best for you can be overwhelming and paralysing. In the world of psychology, there’s a term for this phenomenon, Decisions Paralysis.
Decision Paralysis happens when you’re presented with too many choices. You end up over-analysing all your options to a point where you become paralysed and sometimes can’t decide on any of them. Just think back to the number of times you stood idly in the grocery aisles staring blankly at all the different cereal boxes. Or when you sat at a restaurant table with the menu just scratching your head as you mulled over items to pick…
So, to save you the dread of becoming paralysed by all the yoga retreat options available, we’ve compiled a guide with four considerations that’ll make choosing the right retreat for you a breeze.
#1 Understanding your Budget
We know that no one wants to have the money-talk when it comes to planning your life-changing, yogic journey. But, while yoga retreats are a great investment in yourself, they do cost money.So, it’s important that you clarify with yourself just how much money you’re able to fork out.
Yoga retreat prices can range anywhere from in the low hundreds to in the many thousands. This means having a budget will help narrow your search straight off the bat. When you know your financial capabilities, you’ll be able to determine factors such as location (do you also need to pay for transport?), length of stay (a few days or a few weeks?) and style of retreat (luxury or simplicity?).
This brings us to our next point.
#2 Do you want Luxury or Simplicity?
Choosing between luxury and simplicity for yoga retreats does tie in nicely with understanding your budget. But money isn’t the only factor to consider. You also need to have a clear picture of what your intentions are for participating in a yoga retreat experience.
Say you’re searching for a cheap yoga retreat Australia has to offer and envision a peaceful, nature-filled setting. You’ll be best aligned with the yoga retreats that are arranged simply. Often this means an environment that has all the fundamentals without the extra luxuries. These retreat layouts usually involve shared facilities, glamping-style lodging, and activities that are carried out in natural settings. Here you can find tranquillity in the simplicity.
Or perhaps you’re not financially restricted and envision a retreat where you can be pampered and treated like a prince or princess for the duration of your stay. In this case, you’d probably prefer a luxurious yoga retreat. These retreats offer deluxe, resort-style accommodation, with your comfort and needs waited on by the courteous staff. This will give you the opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and indulge in a yogic paradise.
Whether you’re after the peace and steadiness found in simplicity or the joy found in indulging and being pampered, it’s up to you to decide what you’d like to get out of this experience.
Just remember, there is no right or wrong way to do a retreat, there is only right for you.
#3 Choosing the right yoga facilitator for you.
Yogi facilitators play a large role in organising and running the retreat. So, it’s important to feel that you connect with your yogi teacher. It’s always worth the research to ensure that what they’re offering matches what your intention for the experience is.
A simple social media search or phone call can help you determine if the facilitator is right for you.
Just have a look at the different offerings of these three incredible yogi teachers below. Each of them have uniquely brought positive experiences to their retreat participants.
- Emily Spurling
– is an internationally renowned mind-body coach and her retreats are focused on transformational wellness. In Australia, she facilitates many retreats including the beloved Yoga & Wine, Sunshine Coast Hinterlands(QLD).
- Carole Van Dijk
– has a vast range of knowledge and her promise is to help improve mental and physical wellbeing, as well as flexibility, of all participants. She’s a qualified Yoga facilitator, Reiki Practioner, Food Coach, Master Trainer Level 2 for Fitness, and EFT/TFT Master Practitioner. Her popular retreat is the Yoga & Nature Immersions Retreat (NT).
- Jen Hamilton – with 25 years of yogic experience under her belt, Jen merges the ancient yogic traditions with western knowledge of the mind and body. Her aim is to support her participants in overcoming the modern emotional, spiritual and physical health challenges. A favourite retreat of hers is Cairns Beaches Yoga Retreat (QLD).
Remember, this journey is about you and your expectations, so it’s worth determining which facilitator you’d best connect with.
#4 Do you want a complete yogic immersion or yoga plus more?
A yoga retreat doesn’t have to involve just yoga.
There are many other complimentary activities to yoga like sound healing, Tai Chi, meditation, amongst others.
Or, if you’re looking to broaden your horizons, you could participate in a retreat that offers yoga as well as skill development. These retreats are more like adventure yoga retreats, where you can push beyond your comfort zone and immerse yourself in a creative outlet, adventure sport or socialising, whilst also having the option to wind down with some yoga.
Some examples of what skills you could develop are surfing, freediving, writing and creation. Just imagine how exciting it would be to go on a retreat that involves inner transformation and adventure!
So now you’ve read our guide on the top 4 things to consider when deciding which yogic journey to embark on. Remember, whether you’re after finding inner peace in a simplistic environment, getting a deluxe pamper treatment or gaining new skills while socialising… there is definitely a yoga retreat that’s right for you!
Written by Cindy Bernical