I’ve imagined going to a yoga retreat for decades.
Can you imagine that? Wake up at dawn to meditate and journal before a long yoga session on the beach in some exotic location. Luxurious afternoon restorative yoga sessions with aromatherapy. Evenings were spent exploring a new city and dining with new friends on their own journey to find inner peace.
And since that’s it my fantasy… There are also spa visits and naps.
This will be a reality for me one day. But today is not that day. Money doesn’t exist, and neither does time.
But you don’t have to be overdrawn in your savings account (or worse, willing to max out your credit cards) to have a yoga-like experience.
With a little creativity, you can create your own experience in your own city or a nearby city of your choice. I did this recently when my kids went on their own trip. I had some alone time (the first I’ve had in ages!) and time off from work. It was the perfect opportunity to revitalize my yoga and meditation practice, rest and take care of myself, and really enjoy the present moment in a way that I don’t often find in my everyday life.
It was glorious. And it’s something I plan to do again for myself the next time I have time to myself.
How to DIY a Yoga Retreat (on a Budget):
Take a leisurely route.
When I decided to do a DIY yoga retreat, I knew I had to make some plans or my “retreat” would risk turning into a week of chores and Netflix. On the other hand, one of the biggest benefits of being in charge of my own shelter is that I would have the ability to change things to suit my energy levels, etc.
So I started with a loose list of things I wanted to do and made an itinerary.
Here’s what it looked like:
Daily –
- Morning meditation and journaling
- Morning yoga class (try at least one new studio and teacher)
- Afternoon naps
- Long walks with the dogs
- Unlimited home cooked meals and snacks
- Evening run in the woods or restorative yoga
- Check-in with a friend
Bonus Activities –
- Give myself a pedicure
- Dye my hair (gotta get rid of those grays!)
- Listen to an audiobook
- Take a bath
Choose a time frame.
This was easy for me. I wanted to make the most of the time my kids were away. I had a long weekend to devote to my yoga retreat. But whether you have a week or just a free afternoon, decide for yourself when you’re going to retire (see what I did there?) and stick to it.
Don’t skip your plans to accommodate someone else. I’ve done this SO many times over the years, especially when my kids were little, and I promise you, it’s not worth it.
Prioritize YOU and protect your time fiercely.
Choose location + book now!
I didn’t plan my retreat far in advance, so I decided to stay home. It was great.
But next time I think I’ll book an Airbnb in another city for my retreat. If you are going to another city, I recommend researching yoga studios first and booking a place to stay within walking distance.
Coming to Charleston, SC? Check out my yoga class schedule!
Take advantage of introductory yoga studio offers.
Going to a studio for the first time? Most studios have introductory offers or first class freebies.
Now, I am involved in supporting yoga teachers and studios. But if you need to save money, you could definitely take a yoga studio tour, take advantage of their “first class free” policy, and spend very little on classes!
Get cashback with Ratuken.
This is my favorite way to save money right now. Anything you buy online, you can get anywhere from 1-15% back later just by buying it through Ratuken application. (I think of this as a bonus sale and it’s a great way to save on things that rarely go on sale!)
So whether you’ve decided to treat yourself to a new pair of yoga pants, running shoes or sports bras for your retreat, are staying at a hotel or want to book a tour of the city you’re visiting, you can get cash back through Ratuken .
If you are not already using Ratuken, register now! (If you use my link, we’ll both get $30! And you’ll get an extra 10% cash back on things you buy during the intro period. Wow!)
Redeem credit card points.
I recently saw a statistic that 25 percent of credit card rewards go unused. It’s crazy to me! Use your points to offset your retreat.
(Plus, if you book the retreat on your card, you’ll earn points for the next retreat too. Just make sure you pay off that balance each month because it’s never a smart move to pay interest!)
