Hosting a yoga retreat opens a door to new possibilities for yoga teachers and participants eager to deepen their practice. Imagine a serene setting where tranquil harmony replaces daily hustle, knitting your community tighter. Hosting a yoga retreat needn’t be a distant dream — it can be a tangible reality.
Set aside overwhelming details and picture the profound impact of such an experience. It can be beautiful, magical, and transformative. The best place to start is to explore your “whys”.
Professional Growth and Diversification:
Hosting a retreat expands your professional portfolio beyond studio classes. It’s a chance to explore different teaching styles, develop new programs, and refine your skills in an immersive setting. This growth enhances your teaching and broadens your expertise.
Deepening Relationships with Students:
Retreats provide a unique setting to connect with students on a deeper level. Away from the one-hour class, you engage personally with participants, understand their journeys, and provide tailored guidance. This deepened relationship fosters loyalty and cultivates a strong community.
Personal Fulfillment and Inspiration:
Hosting a retreat is fulfilling. It allows sharing your passion for yoga in a profound way, often in peaceful settings. Leading a group through a transformative journey can be rewarding and inspiring, fueling your own passion and commitment.
Financial Opportunities:
Retreats open an additional revenue stream and can be more lucrative than regular classes, particularly if they gain popularity. This financial aspect can be significant for you and your studio.
Expanding Reach and Reputation:
Hosting a retreat expands your reach beyond your local community. Retreats attract participants from various locations, building a broader network and reputation. This visibility opens new opportunities, such as teaching at other events or collaborations with wellness brands.
With your “whys” defined, sketch out what your retreat will look like.
1. Define Your Vision and Objectives:
What is the theme and focus of your retreat? Relaxation, deepening practice, exploring new styles, self-care, or something else?
2. Choose the Right Location:
Do you want participants to fly or drive? How will you handle meals? Do you want assistance with hosting and support, or do everything yourself? These questions will dictate the location.
3. Budgeting and Pricing:
Do you want your retreat to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or accessible to most budgets?
4. Picking a Date:
If the venue is close, a date 3-6 months in advance makes sense. For overseas venues, students may need at least 6 months to a year to prepare.
5. Programming:
What will your retreat days look like? How will you build in downtime and free time? How can you help participants connect?
What we’ve learned from hosting hundreds:
- Stick to your schedule: Let go of when people actually show up — they have retreat-brain and are excited to choose their own adventure.
- Offer varied content: Plan a walk, guided meditation, share journal prompts, make a craft, star gaze, schedule downtime, offer optional services like massage. Your students are away from daily responsibilities; fun and relaxing activities help.
- Be where your students hang out: Share space without the expectation of doing something. Chatting and relaxing builds connections.
- Make sure no one is left behind: Check in with quiet folks to ensure they feel seen.
- Take care of yourself: Eat, sleep, rest, and find good partners to help you. A venue that takes care of you allows you to take care of your students.
- Prepare something for their rooms: Leave something for them on the last day.
- Ask lots of questions on your registration form: Dietary restrictions, allergies, meal preferences, and accessibility to ensure accommodation.
- Find a venue with great meals and great sleep willing to co-host with you: If people eat well, sleep well, and feel seen, an opportunity for greatness happens. Find a venue that works as your partner so everything doesn’t rest on your shoulders. Think of it this way: you take care of programming and they take care of everything else.
- Let your participants see you having fun: Smile, laugh, engage, be present. Leave your phone in your room and encourage participants to do the same.
Hosting a yoga retreat is within your ability, especially with the right venue. Embrace the challenge, trust your abilities, and embark on this rewarding adventure!
To help with your planning we have free downloadable resources: Sample Schedules, Planning Worksheets, Journal Prompts, Craft Directions, and Sample Menus all available at bigravenfarm.com
Joleen Emery and her husband Darin Warling own Big Raven Yoga, manufacturers of artistic, luxurious, and customizable yoga mats. They also run Big Raven Farm, an art & yoga retreat center in Spring Grove, MN. You can find Joleen on all social channels @Joleenemery. Most of the book folding tutorials mentioned can be found on TikTok.
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