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What Is a Yoga Meditation Retreat?

Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

A yoga meditation retreat usually involves a stay in a serene setting where groups of people can practice yoga and meditate without interruption from the outside world. The retreat may last a single day or continue for days, weeks or longer. Food and lodging generally are provided during the yoga meditation retreat. The time spent at such a retreat center may be spent meditating, practicing yoga, taking in the scenery or participating in ayurvedic health practices or holistic healing.

Nearly any tranquil place may be used as a yoga meditation retreat. Popular locations for centers include the mountains, beach, rainforest, desert, lake and even rural farmland. The main qualification is that the setting should be relaxing and encourage the participants to practice yoga and meditate.

A yoga meditation retreat generally will run the course of a weekend. Many retreat centers also allow people to participate in one-day workshops. Some centers also offer yoga meditation retreat programs that last for several weeks.

A yoga meditation retreat may involve camping in tents.
A yoga meditation retreat may involve camping in tents.

In most cases, meals and lodging are provided during the course of the yoga meditation retreat, allowing the participants to focus on their yoga and meditation practices. The meals are commonly vegetarian, or free from meat. Meals sometimes are set according to the ayurvedic body type of each participant, making each meal part of a holistic plan. For example, people who are considered to have a kapha body type may be served plenty of beans and lentils but not dairy and foods high in oil, such as avocado. Lodging may include private rooms with private bathrooms, private rooms with shared bathrooms, shared rooms with shared bathrooms, or camping tents.

Meditation retreats can be held at the beach, or any other tranquil setting.
Meditation retreats can be held at the beach, or any other tranquil setting.

Much of the day at a yoga meditation retreat is spent practicing yoga or meditating. Although retreat programs vary widely, many include a morning and evening meditation circle and yoga class. Other classes may include the retreat center's surroundings in the practice of yoga and meditation, such as would be found in a contemplative or meditative hiking class. People may take time during the hike to meditate, stretch and soak in the serene setting.

Yoga usually takes up much of the day at a yoga meditation retreat.
Yoga usually takes up much of the day at a yoga meditation retreat.

Some people may have the option of participating in a yoga mediation retreat program in silence. Silence is considered by some people to be a deeper form of meditation. Other people may mediate on certain areas of the body, such as energy centers known as chakras. Many people chant or silently meditate on Sanskrit phrases known as mantras. Meditation and yoga often are done in combination, either in a group or private setting.

Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.

Learn more...
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

bear78

@stoneMason-- Why don't you try a weekend retreat or even a one-day retreat? That way, if it's not working for you, you won't have to be there for a week or several weeks. I went on a three week yoga and meditation retreat in India last year. It was very different and sometimes challenging but I felt like a whole new person when I returned. I had never felt so calm, relaxed and happy in a long time.

ysmina

@stoneMason-- I think that depends on the type of retreat. Of course, during meditation session, you have to meditate, you can't be doing anything else at that time. That's the whole point. You might be alone or in a room with other participants but there is no conversation during meditation. There might be chanting in the beginning and end.

I agree with your friend that a retreat might benefit you. Seeing others meditate is often encouraging. Being away from work stress and technology helps too. Sometimes we can't focus because we've got too much going on. But a retreat helps us get away from all that.

stoneMason

I enjoy meditation and I try to do it regularly. But my problem is always concentration. I lose focus quickly and sometimes it's a struggle to keep thoughts away.

A friend of mine suggested that I go to a meditation retreat to improve my meditation skills. She feels that getting away from my environment and being in a more peaceful place with nothing to do but meditate will help me relax and focus for meditation.

It sounds like a great idea on one hand, on the other, what if I can't maintain focus even at the retreat? Do people literally meditate and do nothing else? Are people allowed to talk or do anything else?

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    • A yoga meditation retreat may involve camping in tents.
      By: ftlaudgirl
      A yoga meditation retreat may involve camping in tents.
    • Meditation retreats can be held at the beach, or any other tranquil setting.
      By: puhhha
      Meditation retreats can be held at the beach, or any other tranquil setting.
    • Yoga usually takes up much of the day at a yoga meditation retreat.
      By: michaeljung
      Yoga usually takes up much of the day at a yoga meditation retreat.
    • Yoga meditation retreats often last two or more days and are held at local studios.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Yoga meditation retreats often last two or more days and are held at local studios.