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How To Organize Your First Yoga Retreat

May 11, 2017 | 4 min read

Yoga retreats can seem like a daunting task if you are just starting out. From the planning to the marketing and everything in between, you may be left wondering where to even begin. Teaching individual classes is fun, but teaching several classes a day for a few days in a row can be a big undertaking. Even worse than that is if anyone will show up!

Here is a step by step guide for organizing your first yoga retreat!

1
Determine What Type Of Retreat You Want To Lead

Think about the type of participants that will be attending and the type of retreat you want to lead. This decision will help determine where your retreat should be. If you want to host a more relaxed or meditative retreat, you may opt for a location that is quiet and offers spa-type services. If you want to host a more active vinyasa and adventure style retreat, you may opt for a more vibrant location with access to adventurous activities.

2
Pick Your Location

Since you have already determined they type of retreat you want to lead, you can get down to the fun part of picking a location! You can go with a popular location like Costa Rica, Nicaragua or the Dominican. Or you can get experimental and head to places like Cuba! Pick a location that embodies the type of retreat you will be leading and that will accommodate the activities you’d like to offer. Make sure you consider a few things when selecting your location:

  • Is it easily accessible?
  • What will the weather be like?
  • Are there adequate facilities for what you will be planning?
3
Decide What Is Included

This decision will help you in determining the price. Figuring out what to include in the cost can be difficult. Generally, a number of meals, all yoga instruction, and accommodations are included in the price with added services or activities paid for by the student.

4
Determine The Price

Pricing can always be a tough thing to figure out. Start by figuring out how much you would like to make. Then factor in cost and fees associated with the place you will be staying. From there you will be able to determine how many people you need to attend in order to make that all happen!

5
Set Up A Contract

You will likely have a contract with the location you are hosting your retreat at. Similarly, you need a contract with your students as well. All the business stuff isn’t much fun but it is necessary. Having guidelines for payment schedules, FAQ’s, and cancellation policies will save you a lot of time and frustration!

6
Promote, Promote, Promote!

You’ve already done tonnes of work, now you need to get the word out there. Use social media, flyers, and student incentives to get the word out there. You can and should ask everyone you can to help get the word out there.

7
Plan The Schedule

Whether your retreat is 3 days or 7, you will need a plan. Figure out your retreats schedule by timing your daily yoga classes and then allowing for activity and meal times in between. Make sure that you allow for plenty of yoga time as well as plenty of down time, it is a vacation after all!

8
Enjoy

You did a lot of hard work leading up to your retreat and you should enjoy it! While things may arise over the course of the retreat, you have planned it well and are prepared for whatever happens!

9
Get Feedback

This is one of the most important things to do that many people miss out on! With a captive audience, be sure to ask for feedback. This information straight from your retreat attendees will help you plan your future retreats and ensure that they are even more successful!

Posted in Teaching Resources

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