How to plan your first yoga retreat

Looks like a vacation – but it's hard work.

How to plan your first yoga retreat

As a new vinyasa yoga teacher, you might already be thinking about running a retreat. You might have heard that this is a good way of making money. And of course, the idea of making money while traveling is quite nice...To organize a successful retreat involves a lot of attention to detail and decision making. Location, clients, price, retreat program and timing are just a few aspects to consider. You will probably make some mistakes, but read our take on the most common big ones, and you might just avoid some of them.

1. Don't rush into it. A lot of yoga teachers run retreats to soon. Are you ready to be a retreat leader? Have you established trust within your own yoga community? You may have to start in a small scale nearby to test your yogi's interest and build trust in your ability to deliver an amazing experience. 
2. Be super organized. Planning and running a retreat goes way beyond teaching well. You have to be exceptionally organized in order to teach well. If not, your head space will be occupied with organizational worries at the retreat and you may not teach well.
3. Do your research. Booking a venue you have never visited may work. But it's a great risk that could jeopardize the experience for your guests. Unless you have an amazingly strong recommendation from someone you trust, we recommend you to do your research. Test sleep, test eat, meet the owners, see the yoga space. Research weather, flight routes and ground transportation. 
   
4. Market your event. It will not sell itself. You probably can't rely upon your class regulars alone. Know who your ideal guest is. Make your retreat presentation stand out. Invest in the right channels of marketing, the ones that will find their way to the potential guests who will love what you offer.
   
5. Be professional. Make sure the experience is amazing on all levels for your guests. Never forget that people have invested time and money into your retreat. Stick with your program, the one they booked. Do not ever slip into vacation mode yourself. You are working, 24/7. Add extra days for yourself after the retreat has ended: this is your vacation.