Yoga Retreats – A Holiday or Boot Camp? by Pierrette Vergne

The benefits of practicing yoga are well known today, disciplining the body and focusing the mind. Stretching is the most natural way of releasing tension in the muscle groups, and combined with correct breathing it de-stresses the nervous system and increases energy levels. Yoga not only helps build strength, stamina and flexibility but offers anti-aging benefits too.

It is hardly surprising that yoga is becoming more main stream. Combined with the fact that more people are taking responsibility for their own well-being, yoga holidays are becoming very popular, offering a healthy alternative to lounging on a beach or treading the well-worn tourist circuits.

A yoga holiday or retreat can be an ideal introduction to yoga, or a wonderful way to regenerate and build your yoga practice at the same time. For many, both men and women, a yoga holiday is a restful and uplifting break; for others, it’s a life-changing experience. Spending some time with a group of like-minded people who all share the same interest can be a very supportive experience. But how much yoga should be involved before the well-earned break becomes hardwork?

You need to decide whether you want an intensive yoga holiday, which will probably involve yoga twice every day and which can be a quite a shock to the system for the uninitiated; or something more relaxed which will leave you more time for other activities and to explore the local culture and history. Whatever you choose, it is best to avoid venues where the number of guests reduces the opportunity for personal instruction. Current thinking is that classes should be no greater than 10 or 12.

Finally, look for an experienced yoga teacher who has a compassionate approach and who makes you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the lesson. Remember, the idea is to be on holiday not an oppressive bootcamp!

Copyright 2007 Pierrette Vergne, a resident yoga teacher for Club Med holidays for several years based at locations around the world. Completely bilingual, she later developed her yoga practice in England with Krishna Lodh and taught at several centres in Nottingham before starting La Buissière Retreat Centre in Southwest France in 2000.