March 10, 2025 • 14 mins
I’m a couple of weeks back from hosting another yoga international yoga retreat. While I was away, I had a few yoga teachers ask me about how to start hosting retreats. I’ve also coached teachers on planning and organizing their own retreats, as they were interested in diversifying their offerings to include retreats.
So today we’re diving into a topic that’s both exciting and might feel a little intimidating: planning your first yoga retreat.
Hosting a retreat is an incredible way to deepen your teaching, connect with students, and create a transformative experience.
- But where do you even start?
- How do you find the right venue? and
- How do you attract students to sign up?
In this episode, I’ll walk you through a beginner’s guide to planning a yoga retreat, from clarifying your intentions to crafting messaging that resonates with your ideal students. Whether you’re dreaming of a local retreat or an international getaway, this conversation will give you some tools to make it happen.
I'm going to give you 4 questions to ask yourself, so get your journal so you can write them down…
Click HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hosting a yoga retreat is anincredible way to deepen your
teaching, connect with students,and create a transformative
experience.
But where do you even start?
How do you find the right venue?
And how do you attract studentsto sign up?
In this episode, I'll walk youthrough a beginner's guide to
(00:22):
planning a yoga retreat fromclarifying your intentions to
crafting messaging thatresonates with your ideal
students.
Whether you're dreaming of acozy local retreat or an exotic
international getaway, thisconversation will give you some
tools to make it happen.
(00:43):
Welcome to the EssentialConversations for Yoga Teachers
podcast with me.
I'm Monica Bright, and I've beenteaching yoga and running my
yoga business for over a decade.
This is the podcast for you.
If you're a yoga teacher, you'relooking for support.
You love to be in conversationand you're a lifelong student.
(01:06):
In this podcast, I'll share withyou.
My life as a yoga teacher, thelessons I've learned, my process
for building my business andhelpful ideas, tools,
strategies, and systems I use,and you can use so that your
business thrives.
We'll cover a diverse range oftopics that will help you
(01:28):
whether you're just starting outor you've got years under your
belt and you want to dive deepand set yourself up for success.
I'm so glad you're here.
Listen, I don't take myself tooseriously, so expect to hear
some laughs along the way.
Now, let's do this.
Together.
(01:52):
Welcome back to the podcast.
I'm Monica, and I'm almost acouple weeks back from hosting
another international yogaretreat.
And while I was away, I had afew yoga teachers asked me how
to start hosting retreats.
I've also coached teachers onplanning and organizing their
(02:12):
own retreats because retreatsare a great way to diversify
your offerings and you cantailor their themes, how.
ever you like.
I've had a number of retreaterswho have joined me who have
movement limitations andinjuries as well.
It's a great setting to work insmaller groups with your people.
(02:34):
So today we're diving into atopic that's both exciting and
might feel a littleintimidating.
Hosting a retreat is an deepenyour teaching, connect with your
students, and create.
A different kind of experience,but you might be asking
yourself, where do I even start?
(02:56):
How do I find the right venue?
And how do I attract students tosign up?
in this episode, I'm going towalk you through a beginner's
guide to planning a yogaretreat.
From clarifying your intentionsto crafting messaging that
resonates with your idealstudents, whether you're
dreaming of a cozy local retreatfor a weekend or a week long
(03:21):
international getaway.
This conversation will give yousome tools to make it happen.
I'm going to give you fourquestions to ask yourself.
So get your journals so you canwrite them down.
Okay.
Question number one.
Why do I want to host a yogaretreat?
First, you've got to clarifyyour intentions before you start
(03:43):
planning.
It's important to ask yourselfthis question.
Why do I want to even host aretreat?
Is it to deepen your connectionwith your students or is it to
share your unique teaching stylein a more immersive setting?
Maybe you want to create atransformative experience that
goes beyond a regular retreat.
(04:05):
Your why will guide everydecision you make from the
location to the theme to themessaging.
It's also what will keep youmotivated when and if the
planning process feelsoverwhelming.
Take a moment to reflect on yourgoals.
Are you looking to grow yourbusiness?
(04:25):
Do you want to build your brand,or do you simply want to create
a meaningful experience for yourstudents?
Whatever your reasons, make surethey align with your values and
mission as a teacher.
Set your goals.
What do you want to achieve byhosting retreats?
Is it personal growth?
(04:45):
Or maybe hitting a financialgoal, or is it to help build
your brand?
Take a moment to jot this downand get really clear And then
ask yourself, how does thisalign with my values and mission
as a teacher?
Okay, question number two.
What kind of tone do I want toset?
(05:07):
Once you've clarified yourintentions, the next step is to
set the tone for your retreat.
What kind of experience do youwant to create?
Is it A relaxing, restorativegetaway where students can
unwind and recharge?
Or is it an energizing,adventurous retreat filled with
(05:29):
hiking, exploring, and tryingnew things?
Think about the vibe you want tocultivate.
Do you envision an intimate,personal retreat with a small
group?
Or a larger, more dynamicgathering?
And don't forget to choose atheme that ties everything
together.
together.
For example, you could focus onmindfulness, self care, or
(05:52):
connecting with nature.
Your theme will help you createa cohesive experience and
attract the right students.
Finally, consider your audience.
Who is this retreat for?
Are they beginners, advancedpractitioners, or a mix?
What are their needs anddesires?
The more you understand yourideal participants, the better
(06:15):
you can tailor the retreat tomeet their expectations.
Question number three, how do Ifind the right retreat center?
Now, let's take a moment andtalk about this because this is
one of the most importantdecisions you'll make start by
thinking about the location.
Do you want to host a localretreat or are you dreaming of
(06:38):
an international destination?
Consider factors likeaccessibility, climate.
and ambiance.
Next, think about the venueessentials.
Does it have a dedicated yogaspace?
Comfortable accommodations?
Delicious nourishing meals?
(06:58):
Make a list of your must havesand your nice to haves and use
that as a guide.
When you're searching, what isthe capacity?
How many students do you need tohave and what's the limit?
Choose the size of the retreatyou want to run More students
equals more energy for you toengage with and manage at times.
(07:23):
so be honest with yourself abouthow much energy you're capable
of handling on your own.
And then you might considerhaving a co lead if you want to
have a bigger retreat so thatYou are not the only person
that's hosting everyone.
And then be honest with yourselfabout the budget.
(07:44):
When you've found a few options,do your research.
Read reviews, ask forrecommendations, and if
possible, visit the venue inperson.
This will give you a feel forthe space and help you avoid any
surprises.
And don't forget to negotiate.
Be sure to clarify the terms ofyour contract, including
(08:04):
deposits, cancellations andwhat's included in the price.
I found a retreat center inCosta Rica that I was interested
in.
And as I was reading thecontract there were some things
in that contract that I didn'treally align with.
And so I decided not to pursuehaving a retreat at that.
(08:27):
Center because I didn't agreewith what was in the contract.
Finally, you've got to considerthe values of the venue.
do they align with your own?
For example, if sustainabilityis important to you, look for an
eco friendly retreat center.
(08:47):
Finding the right venue.
takes time, but it's worth theeffort to create a seamless and
memorable experience for yourstudents.
I've contacted a number ofdifferent retreat centers, like
the one I mentioned earlier, andI'll be honest, some of them I
just really didn't care fortheir contract agreements.
(09:09):
So remember you get to choose ifyou want to go forward with
signing a contract or not.
They will pursue you, but ifsomething doesn't feel right,
ask about it and you can alwayssay no thank you.
Question number four.
This is also another Bigquestion.
How do I create messaging thatwill attract students?
(09:33):
Once you've nailed down thedetails, it's time to attract
students to your retreat.
I would start talking to peopleabout hosting a yoga retreat
before signing any contracts andsee if you've got some interest
instead of signing contracts andnow running around trying to
find people to join yourretreat.
(09:55):
See if you got some interestbeforehand, but begin by
crafting your story.
Why should students join yourretreat?
What makes it unique?
Maybe it's the location, or thetheme, or your personal
connection to the experience.
Use compelling language tohighlight the benefits, not just
(10:15):
the features.
For example, instead of sayingdaily yoga classes, you could
say reconnect with yourselfthrough daily yoga and
mindfulness practices.
Talk about the outcomes yourstudents will experience by the
end of the retreat.
And don't forget the power ofvisuals.
Use high quality photos andvideos to showcase the venue,
(10:39):
the activities, and the vibe ofthe retreat.
If you've hosted retreatsbefore, share testimonials from
past participants.
Finally, think about yourpromotion strategy.
Use social media.
email newsletters, and yourwebsite to spread the word.
Offer early bird pricing orreferral discounts to
(11:01):
incentivize signups.
The key is to create messagingthat resonates with your ideal
students and makes them feelexcited to join you.
planning your first retreat canfeel overwhelming, but here are
some things to remember to helpyou stay on track.
You should start small.
(11:21):
Consider co hosting with anotherteacher or starting with a local
retreat.
Plan ahead.
Create a detailed schedule,including yoga classes, meals,
and free time.
Build a team.
Hire assistants.
Photographers or chefs, ifneeded, this is going to depend
(11:43):
on your retreat venue.
Prepare for the unexpected.
Have a backup plan for weather,cancellations, or emergencies.
And take care of yourself.
Don't overextend.
Your energy sets the tone forthe retreat.
Remember.
Your first retreat doesn't haveto be perfect.
(12:05):
It's a learning experience andevery retreat you host will get
better and better.
Hosting a yoga retreat is abeautiful way to share your
passion, connect with studentsand create a transformative
experience.
When you clarify yourintentions, set the tone, find
the right venue, and craft acompelling message, you'll be
(12:28):
well on your way to planning aretreat that's both rewarding
and impactful.
All right, take a deep breath,trust the process, and remember
you don't have to do it allalone.
Lean on your community, ask forhelp, and most importantly,
enjoy the journey.
This is going to be If youcannot tell already, I love yoga
(12:53):
retreats and I'm so glad to beback to hosting them.
It's a chance for me to connectmore deeply with students and
work with students who areinjured and have movement
limitations.
I hope that this episode sparkedsome deeper thought around
getting more comfortable andconfident with expanding your
offerings.
(13:14):
If you love this episode and ifyou're dreaming of hosting your
own retreat but don't know whereto start or if you have more
questions send me a message.
I've added a link in the shownotes for you to send me a quick
text message about your thoughtson this episode.
I'm not going to know your phonenumber it's just in addition to
the platform that I use thatallows for this easy way for you
(13:36):
to communicate with me.
Once you click on it, it willtake you to your messages, but
don't delete the code.
That's how your message will getto me.
And I would love to know yourthoughts and your questions.
Subscribe to the podcast.
So you're always in the knowwhen a new episode drops and
share it with another yogateacher who you think would love
(13:56):
to be in on these conversations.
Thank you.
We're helping to spread the wordabout this podcast.
And if you've been taking notesin your journal, as you listen
to these episodes, I'm so gladyou are.
And I would love to hear aboutit.
As always, the ebook sequencingfor different injuries is in the
show notes below.
(14:16):
I promise you, it's going tohelp you form a foundation for
teaching students with injuries,and it'll be a great resource
for you to return to again andagain.
When you download the ebook,you'll be joining my newsletter.
That's just for yoga teachers.
I've got more exciting teachingscoming soon, so I wanna tell you
all about them.
(14:37):
The link is in the show notesbelow, and I would love for you
to join it so we can always stayconnected.
Alright, that's it for now.
Bye! Mhm.
Hosting a yoga retreat is anincredible way to deepen your
teaching, connect with students,and create a transformative
experience.
But where do you even start?
How do you find the right venue?
And how do you attract studentsto sign up?
In this episode, I'll walk youthrough a beginner's guide to
(00:22):
planning a yoga retreat fromclarifying your intentions to
crafting messaging thatresonates with your ideal
students.
Whether you're dreaming of acozy local retreat or an exotic
international getaway, thisconversation will give you some
tools to make it happen.
(00:43):
Welcome to the EssentialConversations for Yoga Teachers
podcast with me.
I'm Monica Bright, and I've beenteaching yoga and running my
yoga business for over a decade.
This is the podcast for you.
If you're a yoga teacher, you'relooking for support.
You love to be in conversationand you're a lifelong student.
(01:06):
In this podcast, I'll share withyou.
My life as a yoga teacher, thelessons I've learned, my process
for building my business andhelpful ideas, tools,
strategies, and systems I use,and you can use so that your
business thrives.
We'll cover a diverse range oftopics that will help you
(01:28):
whether you're just starting outor you've got years under your
belt and you want to dive deepand set yourself up for success.
I'm so glad you're here.
Listen, I don't take myself tooseriously, so expect to hear
some laughs along the way.
Now, let's do this.
Together.
(01:52):
Welcome back to the podcast.
I'm Monica, and I'm almost acouple weeks back from hosting
another international yogaretreat.
And while I was away, I had afew yoga teachers asked me how
to start hosting retreats.
I've also coached teachers onplanning and organizing their
(02:12):
own retreats because retreatsare a great way to diversify
your offerings and you cantailor their themes, how.
ever you like.
I've had a number of retreaterswho have joined me who have
movement limitations andinjuries as well.
It's a great setting to work insmaller groups with your people.
(02:34):
So today we're diving into atopic that's both exciting and
might feel a littleintimidating.
Hosting a retreat is an deepenyour teaching, connect with your
students, and create.
A different kind of experience,but you might be asking
yourself, where do I even start?
(02:56):
How do I find the right venue?
And how do I attract students tosign up?
in this episode, I'm going towalk you through a beginner's
guide to planning a yogaretreat.
From clarifying your intentionsto crafting messaging that
resonates with your idealstudents, whether you're
dreaming of a cozy local retreatfor a weekend or a week long
(03:21):
international getaway.
This conversation will give yousome tools to make it happen.
I'm going to give you fourquestions to ask yourself.
So get your journals so you canwrite them down.
Okay.
Question number one.
Why do I want to host a yogaretreat?
First, you've got to clarifyyour intentions before you start
(03:43):
planning.
It's important to ask yourselfthis question.
Why do I want to even host aretreat?
Is it to deepen your connectionwith your students or is it to
share your unique teaching stylein a more immersive setting?
Maybe you want to create atransformative experience that
goes beyond a regular retreat.
(04:05):
Your why will guide everydecision you make from the
location to the theme to themessaging.
It's also what will keep youmotivated when and if the
planning process feelsoverwhelming.
Take a moment to reflect on yourgoals.
Are you looking to grow yourbusiness?
(04:25):
Do you want to build your brand,or do you simply want to create
a meaningful experience for yourstudents?
Whatever your reasons, make surethey align with your values and
mission as a teacher.
Set your goals.
What do you want to achieve byhosting retreats?
Is it personal growth?
(04:45):
Or maybe hitting a financialgoal, or is it to help build
your brand?
Take a moment to jot this downand get really clear And then
ask yourself, how does thisalign with my values and mission
as a teacher?
Okay, question number two.
What kind of tone do I want toset?
(05:07):
Once you've clarified yourintentions, the next step is to
set the tone for your retreat.
What kind of experience do youwant to create?
Is it A relaxing, restorativegetaway where students can
unwind and recharge?
Or is it an energizing,adventurous retreat filled with
(05:29):
hiking, exploring, and tryingnew things?
Think about the vibe you want tocultivate.
Do you envision an intimate,personal retreat with a small
group?
Or a larger, more dynamicgathering?
And don't forget to choose atheme that ties everything
together.
together.
For example, you could focus onmindfulness, self care, or
(05:52):
connecting with nature.
Your theme will help you createa cohesive experience and
attract the right students.
Finally, consider your audience.
Who is this retreat for?
Are they beginners, advancedpractitioners, or a mix?
What are their needs anddesires?
The more you understand yourideal participants, the better
(06:15):
you can tailor the retreat tomeet their expectations.
Question number three, how do Ifind the right retreat center?
Now, let's take a moment andtalk about this because this is
one of the most importantdecisions you'll make start by
thinking about the location.
Do you want to host a localretreat or are you dreaming of
(06:38):
an international destination?
Consider factors likeaccessibility, climate.
and ambiance.
Next, think about the venueessentials.
Does it have a dedicated yogaspace?
Comfortable accommodations?
Delicious nourishing meals?
(06:58):
Make a list of your must havesand your nice to haves and use
that as a guide.
When you're searching, what isthe capacity?
How many students do you need tohave and what's the limit?
Choose the size of the retreatyou want to run More students
equals more energy for you toengage with and manage at times.
(07:23):
so be honest with yourself abouthow much energy you're capable
of handling on your own.
And then you might considerhaving a co lead if you want to
have a bigger retreat so thatYou are not the only person
that's hosting everyone.
And then be honest with yourselfabout the budget.
(07:44):
When you've found a few options,do your research.
Read reviews, ask forrecommendations, and if
possible, visit the venue inperson.
This will give you a feel forthe space and help you avoid any
surprises.
And don't forget to negotiate.
Be sure to clarify the terms ofyour contract, including
(08:04):
deposits, cancellations andwhat's included in the price.
I found a retreat center inCosta Rica that I was interested
in.
And as I was reading thecontract there were some things
in that contract that I didn'treally align with.
And so I decided not to pursuehaving a retreat at that.
(08:27):
Center because I didn't agreewith what was in the contract.
Finally, you've got to considerthe values of the venue.
do they align with your own?
For example, if sustainabilityis important to you, look for an
eco friendly retreat center.
(08:47):
Finding the right venue.
takes time, but it's worth theeffort to create a seamless and
memorable experience for yourstudents.
I've contacted a number ofdifferent retreat centers, like
the one I mentioned earlier, andI'll be honest, some of them I
just really didn't care fortheir contract agreements.
(09:09):
So remember you get to choose ifyou want to go forward with
signing a contract or not.
They will pursue you, but ifsomething doesn't feel right,
ask about it and you can alwayssay no thank you.
Question number four.
This is also another Bigquestion.
How do I create messaging thatwill attract students?
(09:33):
Once you've nailed down thedetails, it's time to attract
students to your retreat.
I would start talking to peopleabout hosting a yoga retreat
before signing any contracts andsee if you've got some interest
instead of signing contracts andnow running around trying to
find people to join yourretreat.
(09:55):
See if you got some interestbeforehand, but begin by
crafting your story.
Why should students join yourretreat?
What makes it unique?
Maybe it's the location, or thetheme, or your personal
connection to the experience.
Use compelling language tohighlight the benefits, not just
(10:15):
the features.
For example, instead of sayingdaily yoga classes, you could
say reconnect with yourselfthrough daily yoga and
mindfulness practices.
Talk about the outcomes yourstudents will experience by the
end of the retreat.
And don't forget the power ofvisuals.
Use high quality photos andvideos to showcase the venue,
(10:39):
the activities, and the vibe ofthe retreat.
If you've hosted retreatsbefore, share testimonials from
past participants.
Finally, think about yourpromotion strategy.
Use social media.
email newsletters, and yourwebsite to spread the word.
Offer early bird pricing orreferral discounts to
(11:01):
incentivize signups.
The key is to create messagingthat resonates with your ideal
students and makes them feelexcited to join you.
planning your first retreat canfeel overwhelming, but here are
some things to remember to helpyou stay on track.
You should start small.
(11:21):
Consider co hosting with anotherteacher or starting with a local
retreat.
Plan ahead.
Create a detailed schedule,including yoga classes, meals,
and free time.
Build a team.
Hire assistants.
Photographers or chefs, ifneeded, this is going to depend
(11:43):
on your retreat venue.
Prepare for the unexpected.
Have a backup plan for weather,cancellations, or emergencies.
And take care of yourself.
Don't overextend.
Your energy sets the tone forthe retreat.
Remember.
Your first retreat doesn't haveto be perfect.
(12:05):
It's a learning experience andevery retreat you host will get
better and better.
Hosting a yoga retreat is abeautiful way to share your
passion, connect with studentsand create a transformative
experience.
When you clarify yourintentions, set the tone, find
the right venue, and craft acompelling message, you'll be
(12:28):
well on your way to planning aretreat that's both rewarding
and impactful.
All right, take a deep breath,trust the process, and remember
you don't have to do it allalone.
Lean on your community, ask forhelp, and most importantly,
enjoy the journey.
This is going to be If youcannot tell already, I love yoga
(12:53):
retreats and I'm so glad to beback to hosting them.
It's a chance for me to connectmore deeply with students and
work with students who areinjured and have movement
limitations.
I hope that this episode sparkedsome deeper thought around
getting more comfortable andconfident with expanding your
offerings.
(13:14):
If you love this episode and ifyou're dreaming of hosting your
own retreat but don't know whereto start or if you have more
questions send me a message.
I've added a link in the shownotes for you to send me a quick
text message about your thoughtson this episode.
I'm not going to know your phonenumber it's just in addition to
the platform that I use thatallows for this easy way for you
(13:36):
to communicate with me.
Once you click on it, it willtake you to your messages, but
don't delete the code.
That's how your message will getto me.
And I would love to know yourthoughts and your questions.
Subscribe to the podcast.
So you're always in the knowwhen a new episode drops and
share it with another yogateacher who you think would love
(13:56):
to be in on these conversations.
Thank you.
We're helping to spread the wordabout this podcast.
And if you've been taking notesin your journal, as you listen
to these episodes, I'm so gladyou are.
And I would love to hear aboutit.
As always, the ebook sequencingfor different injuries is in the
show notes below.
(14:16):
I promise you, it's going tohelp you form a foundation for
teaching students with injuries,and it'll be a great resource
for you to return to again andagain.
When you download the ebook,you'll be joining my newsletter.
That's just for yoga teachers.
I've got more exciting teachingscoming soon, so I wanna tell you
all about them.
(14:37):
The link is in the show notesbelow, and I would love for you
to join it so we can always stayconnected.
Alright, that's it for now.
Bye! Mhm.
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