Thinking about booking a yoga retreat but don’t have anyone to come with you? You’re certainly not alone in wondering whether it’s something you could do on your own.
Perhaps you’ve spotted a retreat that looks lovely, but your partner isn’t interested in yoga, your friends are busy, or you simply haven’t found anyone whose diary matches yours.
And so you put the idea to one side.
I understand that booking something on your own can feel like a big step, particularly when it involves travelling somewhere unfamiliar and spending a few days with people you haven’t met before.
But I’d encourage you not to let that be the thing that stops you.
Is it strange to come on a yoga retreat by yourself?
Not at all.
A yoga retreat doesn’t have to be something you do with a friend or partner. In fact, coming alone can be a lovely opportunity to have some time that’s just for you.
You don’t need to arrive knowing anyone, and you certainly don’t need to be particularly confident or outgoing. Some people enjoy chatting and getting to know everyone straightaway, while others prefer a little time to settle in. Both are absolutely fine.
Quite a few of my guests come on their own, and something that’s been particularly lovely over the years is hearing from previous guests who’ve recommended my retreats to their friends, encouraging them to book even if they can’t come along themselves.
I’ve had some really lovely feedback from people who’ve said they know their friends will be made to feel welcome, that the yoga is accessible and there’s no pressure to do anything beyond what feels right for them. It’s reassuring to hear, and hopefully a little reassurance for anyone reading this and wondering whether to take the plunge.
You’ll often find other women and men who’ve also booked on their own. So you won’t be the only person arriving without a familiar face. And you might be surprised how quickly a group of strangers can become a group of familiar faces.
What if I don’t know anyone?
This is probably one of the biggest worries for someone thinking about booking alone.
Walking into a room full of people you don’t know can feel daunting, especially if you imagine everyone else already knows each other.
But a retreat brings together people who have all chosen to take a little time out. They may have very different lives, jobs, interests and reasons for being there, but there’s often a shared appreciation of yoga, nature, good food and a change of pace.
I also like to make things a little easier before everyone even arrives. With guests’ permission, I set up a WhatsApp group ahead of each retreat. It’s a simple way for people to introduce themselves, ask questions and start chatting before we meet.
Sometimes people discover they’re travelling from the same area and arrange to share a car. Others find they have things in common or realise they know someone else who’s booked.
By the time everyone arrives, there may already be a few familiar names and conversations to pick up.
As a retreat host, I also make a point of getting to know everyone. I’ll move around at mealtimes, chat to different people on walks and make sure nobody feels they’ve been left to find their own way into the group.
There’s no pressure to be sociable all the time, though. You can join in as much or as little as you like.
What if I’m a little nervous about meeting everyone?
That’s completely understandable. And, having hosted retreats for many years, I’ve learnt that nerves can show themselves in all sorts of ways.
Some people become very quiet, others talk a little faster than usual, and some take longer to warm up. We all have our own ways of dealing with being somewhere new.
That’s why I try not to make the first evening too formal. People have often travelled a fair distance, so our first yoga session is usually gentle, giving everyone a chance to unwind and settle in.
I’ll introduce myself and help everyone get familiar with one another, but I won’t be asking you to stand up in front of the group and deliver your life story! There’s plenty of time to get to know each other over the days ahead.
Usually, we’ll enjoy dinner together and then people can head off to bed if they’re ready. No forced fun, no elaborate icebreakers and absolutely no requirement to remember everyone’s name immediately.
A little time and a shared experience can work wonders.
Do I need to be experienced at yoga?
Absolutely not.
You don’t need to be an advanced yogi, be particularly flexible or know all the yoga poses.
My retreats are designed to be welcoming to different levels of experience. Classes include a mixture of yoga styles, from flowing practices to slower, more restorative sessions, with options and adaptations along the way.
You can work at your own pace and take a rest whenever you need to.
And if you’re relatively new to yoga, that’s perfectly okay. A retreat can be a lovely way to explore your practice in a relaxed setting, without feeling that you need to keep up with anyone else.
What is a typical day on a yoga retreat like?
Every retreat is a little different, depending on the location and time of year, but I like to strike a balance between yoga, exploring the surroundings, enjoying good food and having plenty of time to relax.
A day might include a morning yoga practice, a leisurely breakfast, a walk or an opportunity to explore the local area, followed by time to rest before an afternoon or evening practice.
There might be a restorative session, meditation, yoga nidra or a sound bath.
We also make time to enjoy the places we visit. Whether that’s walking through the mountains of Snowdonia, exploring a beautiful garden or enjoying the scenery of the Greek coastline, being outdoors is an important part of the experience.
It’s not about filling every minute of the day. There’s room to do as much or as little as you fancy.
What if I want my own room?
If you’re travelling alone, you might prefer to have your own space to retreat to at the end of the day.
Room arrangements vary depending on the venue and retreat, but where private rooms are available, you can usually enquire about the options and any additional cost.
There may also be shared-room options for those who are happy to share.
If you’re unsure which arrangement would suit you, just ask. I’m always happy to talk through the options before you book.
Give yourself permission to do something for you
I think we can sometimes spend so much time organising life around everyone else that we forget how important it is to have a little time for ourselves.
A few days away doesn’t need to be a grand gesture or a complete escape from everyday life. It can simply be an opportunity to slow down, enjoy some yoga, spend time outdoors, eat well, sleep a little more and come home feeling refreshed.
And you don’t need to wait for someone else to be available to do it.
If a retreat has caught your eye, perhaps it’s worth taking a closer look.
At Roaming Spirit Retreats, I bring together yoga, nature, lovely places to stay, wholesome food and time to relax. Each retreat has its own character, but the intention is always to create a relaxed and welcoming experience where you can take some time for yourself, enjoy the surroundings and settle into the retreat at your own pace.
And who knows? You might arrive not knowing anyone and leave with a few new friends.