Are considering a yoga retreat? You have allocated the time and money and are committed to a meaningful experience. How do you know what to expect from your upcoming yoga retreat? A little forethought, research and proper planning can make your retreat a profound life experience a la eat, pray, love.
A little online research will show that there are terrific yoga retreats all over the globe. The abundance of differing techniques, varied locations and contrasting practices may be a bit overwhelming. Here is a checklist of considerations that might help finalize your choice.
1. Instruction - Just as you know there are many forms of yoga, you also know each variation has a different instructional style. Make sure the teaching style at your retreat is to your liking and within you ability. Most yoga retreats offer online resources that describe the practice of yoga and the style of instruction at their facility. As this is probably the most significant consideration on your list, get to the bottom of the information. If you read the site's material and still have questions, get on the phone.
2. Goals - Make sure you understand the goals of the yoga retreat you will be engaging and that their goals match well with your personal aspirations. Again, research is the key. When setting your goals, think both long-term benefit and short-term benefit. If the program does not give you a sense of these benefits, speak to a coordinator.
3. Facility - Get an understanding of the program's facility and how the yoga program utilizes the retreat's facilities. Practical ramifications of this information may affect how you will dress and therefore the clothes you need to pack. Are you looking for something luxurious like Miraval or would something spartan, clean and more budget-friendly like Kripalu serve your needs?
4. Experience - Cross-reference your own research with the first hand or word-of-mouth experiences of previous attendees. Don't be afraid to ask if they would return or what their progress has been since visiting the retreat. Do a Google search for reviews of the retreat or ask if you can speak with someone who experienced the retreat.
5. Travel - Just as you plan your itinerary, make sure there are no holes in your travel plans. Some retreats are in outlying areas. Also, check to assure that you understand the climate to which you will be traveling. Verify and confirm all return-trip information weeks before departing and, of course, cover your bases at home and work. Check the weather as well before you are traveling.
6. Budget - Your budget should include all costs associated with travel and the yoga retreat. Make sure you fully understand what the price of the retreat includes. Be especially clear about meal provisions. It is safe to say that every yoga retreat has its own standards. Are extras such as spa treatments, mats, blocks and other classes included or are they extra?
7. Experience - Many yoga retreats cater to practitioners of different levels. Some retreats are prone to accept beginning students while others prohibit the beginner. You may need a little honest self-evaluation to be sure you are up to the program's standards. Most important is matching your experience level with the program's stated experience levels. Are you looking to do an intensive program with 6-8 hours of yoga a day or would 2-3 hours be your pace? Find our the schedule before hand if you can.
However, some of us like to sleep late, skip work, unplug the phone, and wonder where the day went. This lack of stress can cause depression. This is not an endorsement of a stressful lifestyle, but the reality is: We all require a little daily stress to stimulate, strengthen, and motivate ourselves.
How could an early morning Yoga meditation create motivation for the entire day? There are many types of meditation to choose from, but you could choose a form of positive visualization to raise your level of motivation.
This will require you to set aside a little time and solitude. You could start with a 15 minute Yoga meditation session and allow your mind some forgiveness - if it wanders. Do not judge your mind or any distractions around you.
This is a key to Yogic meditation, and Yoga in general: Be mindful, be kind, do not judge anything, avoid extremes, and live life in moderation. The purpose of your meditation will be aided - if you write down your goals, for the day, and meditate.
With this form of Yogic meditation, you will be pleasantly surprised with how often you accomplish your daily objectives. Keep in mind that Yoga meditation is just one technique to stimulate motivation. Pranayama, Japa, Asana, and Sun Salutations, all work well for stimulating the body and mind.
Another factor, which causes depression, is lack of trust in others, and from deep within our inner being. We must believe in ourselves before we have faith in others. This lack of trust can cause a form of scaring to our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Can Yoga turn any of us into "eternal optimists?" The answer is, "maybe." Most eternal optimists are born that way; but optimism can be conditioned, and you have the power to harness it, if you want to.
A Yoga student asks, "Teach me about self-empowerment." The lessons are within all forms of Yoga, but you will find more answers within Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Karma Yoga.
Most Yoga students, outside of India, practice Hatha Yoga sub-styles. This is fine - but are you learning anything beyond the physical aspects of Yoga? Yoga is a vast topic, with solutions to many of today's health problems.
However, can the world learn to trust a 5,000 year old health maintenance system, with a proven track record of success? On a global scale, most of the world's population still seeks short-term health solutions in the form of pills.
Sometimes prescriptions are required; especially, in the case of severe depression. It is promising that Western medicine now embraces Yoga as an alternative therapy. This will create an evolution in health care which will improve the quality of life for humanity.
Generally duration of ninety days is preferred for alcohol rehab programs. However, for people who cannot afford to be in rehab for ninety days, accelerated program options are available that allow patients to transition back home after 28 days with continuing transitional recovery support
People aged twenty and more, from all walks of life participate in such programs. Factors like history of chemical dependency, age, psychiatric history or other variables, may lead to a longer length of stay. Such situations are worked out by senior staff members who work with the client to assess their needs for an appropriate length of treatment.
The 28-day alcohol rehab programs have some of the highest success rates in the world. Mostly people are successful at beating their addiction with only one 28-day treatment. For the success of any alcohol or drug treatment program, the initial objective is to stabilize, achieving and maintain abstinence long enough to create a solid recovery foundation. It becomes imperative for the recovering person to choose to engage in the ongoing process of growth and change, once abstinence is achieved.
People attending these programs participate in education lectures and treatment counseling in both one-on-one and small group settings. Some rehab programs also have additional activities such as yoga, introduction to spiritual principles of recovery and support groups.
The most important point is that most of these alcohol rehab program support the development of self-awareness, self-honesty and self-clarity. Continued engagement in this process leads to the development of self-responsibility, the ability to keep agreements, and self-accountability for one's choices.
Treatment for addiction to and dependencies on alcohol, prescription drugs, and street drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, marijuana, and others are usually done in 28 days. These programs are generally not part of a medical hospital and do not provide medical supervision or detox services.
The effects of alcohol can be broadly categorized as:
A beginner or experienced, this is for you. Give yourself a fantastic break and go on a yoga retreat, yoga holiday or yoga vacation. Yoga retreats cater for all, from the novice to the masters and no matter what level you are, you will benefit immensely from the experience.
The focus at yoga retreats is on increasing your yoga abilities, getting rid of stress and enjoying it with like-minded people. They are run by professionals who know what they are doing and can help you to get the most from your yoga practices.
You will find yoga retreats and yoga holidays advertised. While there are some distinctions between the two, they are not always clearly defined. Make sure you ask when making your enquiries as to what is included in the course. Things like the time allocated to yoga sessions, meditation etc.
With a yoga vacation the schedule is usually more relaxed with spare time for you to take in a few sights and get to know the other people on the course. Where the vacation is located should have some sight seeing attractions close by.
A yoga retreat will be more structured as far as your yoga activities go while on the course, sessions, meditation, quiet times, the meals. Normally these retreat locations are situated in a peaceful area, close to nature and mostly are fully residential. While these retreats are usually for the more serious minded, if you wish to take your yoga to a higher level, then a yoga retreat could be just what you want.
The prices of these retreats and vacations will vary. You could reasonably expect to pay the equivalent of a week's stay in vacation type hotel. The cost will include your room and meals as they take the approach that your diet has a very important part to play in your overall yoga activities. They hope to teach you how to eat correctly and so benefit more from your yoga practices. So the cost is all-inclusive, your room, meals and yoga lessons, activities and access to the yoga instructors for help and guidance.
There is any number of yoga retreats across the country. From the east coast to the west coast you will find plenty of retreat locations, so there should be one relatively close to you. If you'd prefer to be at a more exotic location, there are yoga retreats in the Caribbean, Virgin Islands, Europe and Asia. Keep in mind though these locations are likely to be more expensive than a domestic yoga retreat.
