What to look for in a weekend yoga retreat?

[Deleted]

What are the key factors to look for? Is a weekend long enough? I'm thinking it might be a good way to introduce myself a bit more into yoga.

[RobynSparkles]

More than... what? Are you currently a member at a local studio?

[Deleted]

Mar 15, 2013 21:55:42 GMT -5 RobynSparkles said:

More than... what? Are you currently a member at a local studio?

Nope, currently I do no yoga, I thought it might be an intensive way to kickstart me with a good program (so give me some more idea of the poses, instead of being in a class of 45 people where the instructor has no way to assist this way).

[grk2012]

If you don't do *any* yoga right now, it's highly likely that a weekend retreat will be too intense. Try some studios near you first, and make sure the instructor knows you're a newbie. Not all classes will have a ton of people in them, and most places offer "absolute beginners" types of classes. My two favorite studios always have assistants walking around doing adjustments to keep you practicing safely. IMO yoga practice isn't something that needs kickstarting. It should be much more gradual, increasing in frequency and intensity as you grow in your practice. Good luck!

[kams]

I agree with grk. I think that a great way to get familiarized with yoga would be to contact a studio and see if they could recommend a class that would be a good introduction. Some may even offer some private instruction. A retreat, IMO, is for people who have been practicing very frequently for a long time - they're pretty intensive I beleive.

[HiC]

I wouldn't go that route right now. Save it for when you know you love it. Find a good studio and do your research by trying out all their different instructors and all the different types of classes they offer. Most studios by me offer an introductory package of 30 days of unlimited yoga for $30. Look to see if places in your area offer that....then jump from one studio to the next when the packages run out to see which place you like best.

[mfluder]

Agree with the above. I know it is dependent on your area, but yoga studio classes here are small, allowing for more feedback (my classes are rarely over 10 people) (as oppose to gym class yoga which just didn't work for me). One of my studios also offers in class instruction - where's you have your own personal instructor for the class - maybe there is something like that there?

[heliocentric]

Many of the studios in my area offer beginner classes. These can range from a single 2-hour class to a series of classes over a few weeks. The number of participants is usually limited so the teacher can be more hands on. I'd consider this before going away for a weekend session.