Types of yoga retreats explained

Type of retreat	What it is	Upcoming
Yoga retreats	A yoga retreat takes you away from everyday life for a few days or weeks of daily practice, good food and rest. Most combine morning and evening yoga…	8
Meditation retreats	Meditation retreats give you time and structure to practise sitting, walking and breathing meditation, often with periods of silence. They suit…	8
Yoga teacher training	Yoga teacher training (YTT) courses teach you to practise and teach safely: anatomy, sequencing, philosophy, breathwork and lots of hands-on teaching…	1
Vinyasa yoga	Vinyasa links movement to breath in flowing sequences. Classes are dynamic and warming, and no two need be the same. It is one of the most popular…	6
Yin yoga	Yin yoga holds passive floor poses for three to five minutes, gently working the connective tissue and calming the nervous system. Restorative yoga…	7
Hatha yoga	Hatha yoga is the classical foundation most modern styles grew from: postures held for several breaths, breathing exercises (pranayama) and…	4
Kundalini yoga	Kundalini yoga combines repetitive movement, strong breathwork, mantra and meditation in sets called kriyas. Practitioners value it for its…	0
Ashtanga yoga	Ashtanga yoga follows a set series of poses linked by breath, practised either in a led class or "Mysore style", where each student moves through the…	1
Breathwork	Breathwork uses deliberate breathing patterns to shift how you feel. Gentle pranayama calms and focuses the mind; faster "conscious connected"…	5
Sound healing	In a sound bath you lie down while the facilitator plays singing bowls, gongs, chimes or voice. Most people experience it as deeply relaxing, and it…	3
Weekend yoga retreats	A weekend retreat gives you most of the benefits of a longer one in two or three nights: daily practice, healthy food and a proper break from…	4
Yoga classes & workshops	Not ready for a full retreat? Drop-in classes, workshops and one-day events let you practise with new teachers and communities, wherever you are.	0
Women's yoga retreats	Women's retreats create a women-only space for yoga, meditation, conversation and rest. Many explore themes such as cycles, confidence and connection…	1
Beginner yoga retreats	You do not need to touch your toes to go on a yoga retreat. Beginner and all-levels retreats teach the basics step by step, with plenty of variations…	6
Silent retreats	On a silent retreat the group stops talking for most or all of the stay, usually alongside guided meditation, gentle yoga and simple food. The quiet…	2
Surf and yoga retreats	Surf and yoga retreats pair daily surf lessons with yoga that loosens the shoulders, hips and back that paddling works hardest. Most are based in…	0
Yoga and hiking retreats	Yoga and hiking retreats combine guided walks with yoga before and after: an energising practice in the morning, a slow stretch for tired legs in the…	2
Ayurveda and detox retreats	Ayurveda retreats follow India's traditional system of health: a consultation, a diet matched to your constitution, daily oil treatments and gentle…	1

By how active it is

Restful: yin and restorative, meditation, sound healing and silent retreats. Choose these if you are tired or stressed.

Balanced: hatha and all-levels retreats, usually one active and one gentle class a day.

Active: vinyasa, ashtanga, surf and yoga and yoga and hiking.

By what you want to learn

A yoga teacher training is a course rather than a holiday: 200 hours over three to four weeks, with anatomy, philosophy and teaching practice. Breathwork and kundalini retreats focus on breathing techniques, energy and emotional release. Ayurveda retreats add diet, treatments and a consultation.

By how long you have

Weekend retreats (2–3 nights) are the easiest way to start. A week is the classic length and gives time to settle in. Two weeks or more suits ayurveda, silent meditation and teacher training. If you only have a day, look at workshops and day events.

By who you go with

Most people go alone, and any group retreat works for solo travellers. Women's retreats offer a women-only space. Couples and friends should check that double or twin rooms are available, and private retreats can be arranged for one or two people.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a yoga retreat and a yoga holiday?

The words are often used for the same thing. "Retreat" usually suggests a fuller programme with the whole group and less free time; "yoga holiday" suggests one or two classes a day around a normal holiday.

Which type of yoga retreat is best for beginners?

A hatha, yin or all-levels retreat of a weekend to a week, with a small group. Avoid intensives, ashtanga weeks and teacher trainings for your first one.